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aire 
details 
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symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


re 


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et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n^cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


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.«' 


MEMOIKS 


OF    THE 


LIFE  or  DAVID  MARKS, 


MINISTER  OF  THE  GOSPEL ; 


EDITED  BY 


MRS.  MARILLA  MARKS. 


"  Say  not  I  am  a  child,  for  thou  shalt  go  to  all  that  I  shall  send  thee,  and  whatsoever  1 
command  thee,  thou  shalt  speak."  Jer.  1:7. 


/^.'^^,-^^^j'^^^j^,'.f* 


DOVER,  N.H.: 


PUBLISHED  BY  THE  FREE-WILL  BAPTIST  PRINTING  ESTAB- 
LISHMENT. 


WILLIAM  BURR,  PRINTER. 


1846. 


x; 


'4 


Entered  accoiding  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1846,  by  Marilla 
.  Marks,  in  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  of  New  Hamp- 
%  shire. 


!     I 


^ 


I 


I 


1 1 


''3. 


PREFACE. 


Barilla 
Hamp- 


Immediately  after  the  decease. of  Mr.  Marks,  mai^iy  higlily  es- 
teemed friends,  whose  opinions  have  deservedly  great  .weight  in  the 
church,  repeatedly  expressed  the  conviction  that  tie  cause  of 
Christ  demanded  the  publication  of  his  biography.  In  delcrence 
to  their  judgment,  and  in  accordaiice  with  their  earnest  request, 
this  work  is  now  submitted  to  the  Christian  public. 

In  the  year  1831,  the  subject  of  these  Memoirs  wa?  pei*suaded 
by  several  friends,  who  had  examined  his  Journal,  to  publish  a 
'  Narrative'  of  his  labors  in  the  ministry,  especially  as  those  labors 
were  intimately  connected  with  the  progress  of  the  Froe-wiU  Bap- 
tist denomination  in  the  west.  An  edition  of  two  thousand  copies 
was  issued,  which  was  nearly  all  sold  in  New  England  within  nine 
months  after  its  publication.  He  was  afterwards  often  liolicited  by 
friends  at  the  west  to  publish  another  edition  for  the  supply  of 
the  western  Free-will  Baptist  churches,  but  he  felt  so  much  delica- 
cy on  the  subject,  that  he  could  never  be  induced  to  listen  to  their 
importunities. 

For  nearly  two  yeai's  and  a  half  after  the  publication  of  his 
"  Nar'ative,"  he  kept  a  regular  Journal,  as  in  former  years.  Af- 
ter this  period,  on  account  of  the  close  occupancy  of  his  time  with 
immense  labors,  he  only  made  occasional  entries.  His  "  Narrative," 
as  written  by  himself,  occupi'  the  first  twenty-three  chapters  of 
the  present  work  in  an  abrid^  "^  form.  The  remainder  consists  of 
the  occasional  entries  in  his  Jov. -nal;  extracts  fmm  his  correspon- 
dence, and  from  such  other  documents  as  could  be  collected ;  and 
a  brief  history  of  his  labors  during  the  intervening  spaces  has  been 
written  by  the  editress  from  memory.  From  the  nature  of  the 
materials,  the  latter  part  of  the  biography  does  not  give  so  much 
detail  in  a  connected  form,  as  would  be  found  in  a  regular  Journal ; 
but  the  exemplification  of  his  character  in  its  several  parts,  as  well 
as  the  mere  outline  of  his  labors,  being  one  of  the  objects  designed  in 
this  work,  it  is  hoped  that  the  latter  part  will  not  be  found  less  inter- 


I  Sl. 


t        <* 


Ml 


\v. 


PREFACE. 


« 


estinj;  or  useful  tlmn  the  former.  As  the  suhject  of  these  Meiuoii'* 
was  deeply  interested  in  all  the  various  hranehes  of  Christian  re- 
foiin,  it  has  been  deemed  proper  to  give,  occasionally,  brief  ex- 
tracts from  articles  showing  his  position  on  these  points. 

It  has  been  with  a  painfid  sense  of  her  own  inadequacy,  that  tlie 
editress  of  these  Memoirs  has  prosecuted  her  labor.  Gladly  would 
she  have  shrunk  from  the  responsible  work,  had  the  necessary 
documents  been  in  such  a  situation  that  another  could  have  arrang- 
ed them.  She  has  also  been  painfully  alive  to  the  delicacy  of  hei' 
situation,  contemplated  as  the  biograi  her  of  her  companion  in  life. 
She  has,  however,  aimed  to  present  a  portrait  of  her  husband's  charac- 
ter just  as  it  was,  in  private  as  well  as  public  life,  that  his  influence  on 
all  points  might  be  perpetuated,  and  the  precious  cause  for  which  he 
lived,  and  toiled,  might  be  thus  promoted.  In  doing  this,  some  things 
needed  to  bo  said,  which,  at  first  view,  it  seemed  improper  for  her  to 
say.  She  has  felt,  too,  that  she  might  be  censured  by  some  for  want  of 
discretion  in  publishing  private  expressions  of  sentiment  and  feel- 
ing. Indeed,  doubts  on  these  points  have  not  been  absent  from  her 
own  mind.  In  self-vindication,  however,  she  will  state,  that  she 
yielded  her  feelings  of  delicacy  to  the  judgment  and  counsel 
of  friends  of  high  standing  in  the  literary  and  religious  world, 
and  has  aimed  to  write  with  fidelity  to  the  advisory  direc- 
tion of  a  competent  judge,  "  Present  your  husband  just  as  he 
was." 

In  accomplishing  this  work,  she  would  gratefully  acknowledge 
the  sustaining  grace  of  God.  Notwithstanding  the  anguish  under 
which  her  soul  was  writhing  from  her  recent  severe  bereavement, 
and  which,  from  the  nature  of  her  work,  has  been  kept  before  her 
in  all  its  freshness,  she  has  had  consolations  that  have  often  render- 
ed her  labor  inexpressibly  sweet.  To  the  church  of  the  living  God, 
this  work  is  now  dedicated,  with  many  prayers,  that,  through  the 
Divine  blessing,  it  may  nerve  the  hearts  of  God's  people  to  high 
and  holy  resolves,  to  live  and  die  for  the  salvation  of  this  lost 
world.  The  Editress. 


',t^ 


.i 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Mr.  Murks'  parentage— Early  religious  impressions — Burning  of  his 
father's  house — Removal  to  Connecticut — Death  of  his  oldest  brother 
— Removal  to  Junius,  N,  Y.  -----        -         13 

CHAPTER  U. 

Conversion — Application  for  membership  to  aCalvinistic  Baptist  church — 
Journey  to  Providence,  R.  I.,  and  unsuccessful  attempt  to  pursue  a 
course  of  study — Baptism  and  union  with  the  Free-will  Baptists.     18 

CHAPTER  HI. 

Exercises  of  mind  with  regard  to  preaching  on  the  anniversary  of  his 
birtli  day,  Nov.  4,  1820,  then  fifteen  years  of  age — Attends  a 
few  meetings  in  different  towns  with  a  minister — Returns  home — 
Exercises  of  mind  respecting  duty — His  parents  give  him  his  time — La- 
bors in  a  revival  in  Brutus  and  Camillas — Returns  to  Junius.     -      37 

CHAPTER  IV. 

lieaves  home  to  travel  and  preach — Labors  in  several  towns  on  the 
Holland  Purchase — Severe  trials — Second  burning  of  his  father's 
house — Labors  and  success — Bethany  quarterly  meeting — Death  of 
his  mother.  --32: 

CHAPTER  V.  ' 

Returns  home — Interview  with  his  family — Attends  the  organization  of 
the  Holland  Purchase  yearly  meeting  in  Bethany — Labors  and  opposi- 
tion in  Junius — Study  of  Grammar — Labors  in  several  towns — Second 
tour  to  the  Holland  Purchase.         ...--.         49 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Leaves  for  N.  H. — Preaches  in  several  places — Revivals  in  Brookfield 
and  Eaton — Continues  his  journey — Destitution  and  consequent  diffi- 
culties— Labors  in  N.  H. — Offer  of  a  support  at  college  and  reasons 
for  declining — Union  of  several  churches  in  the  south  part  of  Vermont 
with  the  Free-will  Baptists — Returns  to  N.  Y.  -  -  -  64 
I* 


VI. 


CONTIINT.S. 


,    * 


CIIAI'TMU.   VII. 

liiihiirs  in  scvfra'  towns — ]l('viv;il  in  ('aiidur — lntor\i»'\v  with  tlir  folitiw  • 
rri  i)f  .fcniimii  Wilkinsdii  —  liiihdrs — Alli'nds  Uoiiloii  and  l'".ru'  (iiiaiti'ily 
nicctinffs — Trials  ami  lofli'ctioiis. ♦•'' 

CHAPTKK   Mil. 

PasMatfP  on  lake  Krio  to  Ohio — Snircriiirrs  on  a  desolate  i)t'niii!'iila — 
I/ibors  in  Huron  ('(t. — Funeral  (»f  a  liaekslider — Or/jani/alion  ol  the 
Huron  quartcM'ly  in(!etinff — Travels  to  the  South  jmrt  of  Oliio — DilFi- 
culties  in  crossiniir  the  Ohio  river — Meetinj,'  in  Kentucky  —  \'isil-t 
Rutland — Rise  of  a  Frco-will  IJaptist  y(>arly  ni(>oting  on  the  Ohio 
river  and  the  trials  that  follow — Rt^turns  to  N.  Y.  -         -         -         Ti"! 

CHAPTKR  IX. 

.louriiey  to  ronn»n'tieiit — Visits  his  brother'.'*  grave — Rise;  of  a  Free-will 
Baptist  (,'hurch  in  MiddhMown — Returns  to  New  York — 'I'onr  to  I'ppei 
(-anadu — Rclleetions  at  Niiinara  Falls.    -         -         -         -         -         h7 

CHAPTKR  X. 

Prospeet  of  a  revival  in  Hatavia — Second  tour  to  (Canada — Labors  lu 
revivals  in  Batavia  and  V^ilha — Le  Roy — Groveland  and  Gene.seo — 
(Miurch  gathered. V)l 

CHAPTKR  XI. 

Pubiiahes  an  address  to  th(>  unconverted — hnbibes  I'liitarian  view.:« — 
Intoiview's  with  Lorenzo  Dow — Revival  in  Manchester — i-abovs  till 
eighteen  years  of  age. -         lit;* 

CHAPTER  XII. 

.Second  journey  to  New  Hampshire — R(nival  at  Hradlord — 'i'oui  to 
Rhode  Islan(l  and  Coiniecticut — Execution  of  a  criminal  in  Tolland — 
New  Hampshire  yearly  meeting  at  Weave — Revival  at  Sandwich — 
Laltor.s  in  the  Western  part  of  Rlaine — Meeting  and  thunder  showei 
nt  Effingham,  N.  H. — Funeral  at  Bradford — Returns  to  New  York, 
and  travels  with  Abel  Thornton— Labors  till  Oct.  18-Jl.  11^ 

CHAPTER  XHI. 

Sei^tuid  journey  to  C)hio — Labors  till  Jan.  1805 — Teache.->  a  schoid  at 
York — Another  at  Salt-rock — Tiubors  while  teaching — Revival  at 
Salt-rock  and  some  other  towns — Hurricane — Interesting  baptismal 
scene — Severe  illness  and  fiery  trials — Organization  of  IMarion  (piar- 
terly  meeting,  and  Ohio  yearly  meeting — Departure  t'or  New  York — 
Shucking  death  and  funeral — Return  home — Spiritual  trials.  i;U 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Teaches  at  Junius — Preaches  under  great  depres.^ion  of  spirits — Creal 
enlargement  of  mind  at  Benton  quarterly  meeting,  Jan.  ISxJO — I.-* 
ordained — Labors — Severe  trials  and  temptation  from  Unitarian  vie\\  s 
— Some  of  the  arguments  which  clianged  his  views.       -        -        140 


i 

.1 


CONTKNTh*. 


^It. 


m 


ri-fat 

)— 1- 

licvvs 
140 


CHAPrKH  XV. 

U.'Mv;il  ill  Ontario — Holliiiid  I'linha.sf  yrarly  nuH'tiiij; — Hinr  of  llif  firj.1 
Froc-will  nii|>lif*l  cluircli  in  \'\)\n'r  Caiiaila — Iiiti  rt'^tiii;r  ciiiivi'r.Mon 
ami  hantisni  of  «i  sick  piMsoii — Ijahors  in  (lillcrciit  places — Itovivul  at 
Caiunulaiifua — FAcilcincnt  occasioned  liy  ihc  Vrcc-iiiasons'  liidnappinp 
( ^apt.  AVni.  Morgan — Labor-i  in  Canandaijrua  and  orjjani/ation  of  a 
fliinvli — Travels  to  iho  eastern  pait  of  the  State — Free-coniniunioii 
Haptisin — Uapti.siu  of  six  persons  al  sun-rise  on  a  winter  niornini: — 
'rum  to  IVMUisylvaniii,  tiiid  laWors  till  A»iu.  18"J7 — Yearly  lueeliiiju  al 
llelliuiiy  ;ind  discussion  of  Free-masonry — Northern  li^jhls.      -      15(i 

ClIAP'rFU  XVI. 

First  tour  to  London  District,  Fpprr  f'anadu — Revival  at  London — 
Counuenceinenl  of  a  revival  at  .Suuthwuld.  -         -         -         lfi'> 

CHAPTFll  XV U. 

Uivival  ill  Scriha,  N,  Y. — Church  fathered — llai>py  state  of  miiul  in 
cvpectulioii  of  immediate  death — I'Acrcises  (•(uicernin^r  Cliristian  per- 
ff'tioii — Labors  in  Holland  l'urchas(!  and  Sustiuehanna  yearly  meet- 
iiis.s — Elder  J.  Fowler's  renunciation  of  Frep-inasonry.  -         17;* 

CIIAPTKR  XVI IL 

.Second  tour  to  London  District,  T'ppcr  Canada — Meetings  in  'l><^  streets 
ill  St.  Catharines,  llainilton,  Aiicaster — State  of  the  Free-will  baptist 
elmrclu's  in  the  province — Faithfulness  of  a  (Christian  wife  blessed  to 
the  coi.versiou  of  her  dyiiij^  husl)and — Labors  in  IJethany  Jmd  Ueiiton 
qntirtevly  nu'etings— Some  disclosures  of  Free-masonry  and  facts 
rniiiic'ted  with  them — IIoll:uid  Purchase  yearly  nicfting  resolves 
respecting  them. 183 

(CHAPTER  XIX. 

Mr.  .M.nks"  appoiiitinent  as  deleij^ale  to  the  second  session  of  the  Free- 
will Baptist  (General  Conference — Travels  with  Wm.  ^'an  Tuyl — 
Attemls  Spaflbtd  quarterly  mooting — Second  .session  of  Susquelianiia 
yearly  moetiiiir — Its  rise,  &c. — Street  meeting  in  .lohnstown,  N,  Y. — 
Attends  ^'ermont  yearly  meeting  in  Oct.  IH"^'8 — Masonic  discussion, 
«l*^e — (Jeneral  Conference — Labors  in  Maine,  New  IIami)sliirc,  and 
\  ermont — Returns  to  New  York. l!),"; 

CHAPTER  XX. 

R-vivn!  in  Canandaigua — Death  ol  Wm.  ^'an  Tuyl — Labors  in  Renton 
and  ()iitario  quarterly  meetings.  -         .         .         .         .         ^201 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Tiurd  journey  to  London  District,  Upi)er  Canada — Free-communion 
IJaptists*  Annual  Conference — Hui)py  death — Result  of  a  conference 
appointed  to  labor  for  a  union  between  the  Free-will  and  Free-com- 
muniun  Baptists  in  Upper  Canada — Returns  to  New  Y'ork — Revival  in 
C'oiie.sus  and  Sparta — Holland  Purchase  Y'early  meeting  in  Ih-JO — 
Fourth  journey  to  London  District — Revival  at  Oxford— His  Marriage- 
Third  Crcneral  Conference  and  revival  that  followed — Baptism  of  hia 
eo'.npauion  and  sketches  of  her  religious  experience.      -        -        211 


I- 


Mi 


Vlll. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

Lahors  from  Nov.  1829  to  close  of  the  year — Revival  in  Middlesex-- 
Second  session  of  the  Allegany  quarterly  meeting  and  i)iirticnlars  of 
its  ri?e—  Bethany  quarterly  meeting  and  revival  at  Penfield — Fourth 
General  Conference — Fifth  tour  to  tapper  Canada — Meeting  in  the 
asylum  for  the  poor  of  Ontario  county — Interesting  particulars  of  the 
revival  in  Penfield — Meetings  in  Scriba  and  other  towns — "  Book  of 
Mormon  " — Labors  in  various  places — Horrid  murder  in  Dansville — 
Attends  Allegany,  Benion,  and  Bethany  quarterly  meetings — Sixth 
tour  to  Canada — State  of  Free-will  Baptist  churches  in  the  province — 
Labors  in  New  York — Attends  Ontirio  and  Bethany  quarterly  meet- 
ings— Holland  Purchase  yearly  meeting,  Aug.  1830 — Resolution 
against  Masonry. --         233 


CHAPTER  XXm. 

Organization  of  the  Norwich  quarterly  meeting — "'Nits  in  Vermont  and 
Connecticut — General  Conference  in  Rhode  Island — Labors  in  that 
State — Revival  at  Greenville — Journey  to  Maine  and  return  to  Rhode 
Island — Masonic  opposition — Labors  in  differe.t  towns — Visits  the 
grave-yard  and  Jews'  Synagogue  at  Newport  — Attends  Roman  Cath- 
olic meeting  at  Boston — Labors  in  Maine  from  Jan.  to  May,  1831 — 
Journey  to  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont — Attends 
Now  Durham,  Sandwich  and  Wheelock  quarterly  meetings — Attends 
New  Hampshire  yearly  meeting  at  Lisbon — Remarkable  revival  that 
follows — Labors  in  New  Hampshire — Labors  in  Limerick,  Me.,  and 
vicinity — Baptism  of  Samuel  Beede,  &c.  ...         245 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

State  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  denomination  in  1831 — Plan  to  aid  in 
removing  existing  evils — Attends  Maine  Western  yearly  meeting — 
Attends  fifth  General  Conference — F  )ok  Concern  organized — Mr. 
Marks  appointed  its  Agent — First  lal  n-e  as  Agent — Attends  Wolf- 
boro'  quarterly  nu  eting — Masonic  oppo,  tion — Letter  from  S.  Beede — 
Meetings  in  diflerent  towns — Tour  to  R.  ule  Island — Mr.  C.  G.  Fin- 
ney— Meetings  in  Kittery  and  Great  Falls-  Masonic  opposition—Labors 
in  various  towns — Sickness  in  Holderm  s,  N.  H. — Rumor  of  his 
death — Travels  and  labors — Severe  sick  5ss  in  Bath,  N.  H.,  Jan. 
1832 — Partially  recovers  and  resumes  his  ibors — Confinement  with  a 
relapse  in  Randolph,  Vt. — Happy  statf 
death — Partial  recovery — Letter  from  S. 
New  Hanipsbire  as  health  permits — Ext 

DifHculties  attending  his  labia's  for  the  Bet...  Concern — Dyspepsia- 
Missionary  letter  i'rom  Mr.  Sutton,  in  India— -IVee-will  Baptist  For- 
eign Mission  Society  formed — Labors — Records  of  the  first  Free-will 
Baptist  church — Letter  to  S.  Beede — Attends  New  Durham  quarterly 
meeting — Embarrassments  and  anxieties — Attends  Weare  quarterly 
meeting  and  New  Hampshire  yearly  meeting — Rise  of  Parsonsfield 
Seminary — Cholera  in  America — Attends  Penobscot  yearly  meetir.g — 
Cholera  at  Montreal — Attends  Edgcomb  quarterly  meeting — Day  of 
fasting  on  account  of  the  pestilence — Issues  first  edition  of  Christian 
Melody — Attends  New  Durham  quarterly  meeting  and  preaches  at 


jf  mind  in  expectation  of 
20de — Reply — Preaches  in 
"^fs  from  correspondence — 


*.; 


CONTENTS. 


IX. 


KaiidaU's  o;rave — Letters  to  Benton  quarterly  meeting  and  Holland 
Purchase  yearly  meeting — Tour  to  Vermont  and  Maine — Attends  a 
ministers'  conference  in  Holderness,  N.  H. — Letter  from  S.  Beede — 
Attends  Vermont  yearly  meeting — Sixth  General  Conference  in  183-2 — 
Purchases  the  Morning  Star  Establishment.  -        -        -        2iiS 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

Tour  to  New  York  and  Upper  Canada — Labors  in  New  York — Letter 
on  Slavery — Discussion  of  Campbellism — Returns  to  New  England — 
Attends  New  Hampshire  yearly  meeting — Arrival  of  Mr,  Sutton  and 
affecting  address — Revival  in  New  Durham — In  New  Market — Cor- 
respondence— Extraordinary  Painting — Attends  Holland  Purchase 
yearly  meeting — Returns  to  New  England — Attends  seventh  General 
Conference — Letter  to  Mr.  Pike  of  England — Removal  of  the  printing 
office  of  the  Morning  Star  to  Dover,  N.  H. — Tour  to  Maine  and  severe 
iUuess  at  Wilton — Returns  to  Dover,  N.  H. — Sickness  and  death  of 
INIr.  Beede — Locates  in  Portsmouth  and  takes  charge  of  a  small 
church — Attends  New  Hampshire  yearly  meeting — Extracts  from  an 
article  on  missions — Rise  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  Home  Mission 
Society — Mr.  Marks  appointed  Corresponding  Secretary — Visits 
Whitfield's  tomb — Organization  of  the  Rockingham  quarterly  meet- 
ing— Labors  in  Portsmouth  and  other  towns — Attends  a  ministers' 
conference  in  Readfield,  Me. — Sufferings  from  dyspepsia — Labors  in 
Portsmouth  and  towns  in  its  vicinity — Attends  a  protracted  meeting  in 
Boston — Anti-Slavery  character  of  the  Morning  Star — Mr.  C.  G.  Fin- 
ney's Revival  Lectures — Revival  in  Portsmouth — George  Thompson, 
the  Abolitionist — Confession  of  a  man  of  pleasure — Attends  New 
Hampshire  Anti-Slavery  Society — Home  Mission  Anniversary  in 
Lisbon,  N.  H. — Mr.  Marks'  report  and  illustration  of  the  principle  of 
missionary  operations— New  Hampshire  yearly  meeting — Slavery 
discussion— Ordination  of  Mr.  Eli  Noyes  as  missionary  to  India — 
Visits  Mt.  Washington — Returns  to  Portsmouth — Trials  in  conse- 
(|uence  of  temperance  principles — Meetings  and  baptism  on  the  Isle  of 
Slioals — Mr.  Phillips  appointed  missionary  to  India — His  marriage  to 
Mrs.  Beede— Mr.  Marks'  ill  health— Visits  Boston— Departure  of  the 
Missionaries— Attends  the  eighth  General  Conference— Resigns  his 
Agency  for  the  Book  Concern— New  Hampshire  Legislature  refuses 
it  an  act  of  Incorporation  on  account  of  its  Anti-Slavery  character- 
Returns  to  Dover  to  make  a  transfer  of  the  Book  Concern  to  a  Board 
of  Trustees— A^sits  Upper  Canada— Resolutions  for  holy  living.    30(5 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

Ml-.  Marks  commences  labors  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  under  the  patronage 
of  the  Free-will  Baptist  (N.  Y.)  Home  Mission  Society,  in  Jan. 
1836— Letter  to  Mr.  Burr  on  Slavery — Labors  and  success— Organizes 
a  church— Purchases  a  lot  for  a  meeting  house— Abner  Kneeland— 
faihire  of  the  crops  and  consequent  inability  of  the  infant  Mission 
Society— Mr.  Marks'  consequent  trials— Attempts  to  sustain  himself 
rather  than  desert  his  field  of  labor— Unprecedented  pressure  in  the 
commercial  world— Extracts  from  hiscorrespondence— Murder  of  Mr. 
Lymau  of  Rochester— Trial  and    execution   of  the  murderer— III 


i      L 


t 


r 

i.     1. 


? 


♦4t; 


X.  CONTENTS. 

health — Leaves  Rochester,  June  1838 — Attends  Holland  Purchase 
yearly  meeting — New  York  Anti-Slavery  Convention — Letter  to 
India. 359 

CHAPTER  XXVH. 

Eighth  tour  to  Upper  Canada — Labors  as  an  evangelist  in  the  Holland 
Purchase  yearly  meeting — Dreadful  death  of  an  infidel — Revival  in 
Warsaw — Pike — Boston,  N.  Y. — Attendance  at  quarterly  meetings — 
Illness  of  his  wife — Revival  in  Rochester  under  the  labors  of  Mr. 
Knapp — Attends  Genesee  quarterly  meeting — Holland  Purchase  year- 
ly meeting — New  York  State  Temperance  Society — Attends  the 
tenth  General  Conference,  1839 — Interesting  discusssion  of  the  Slavery 
question — Report  of  the  Book  Concern — Resolution  of  Conference  on 
the  use  of  tobacco — Labors  through  the  winter  in  Ohio,  Pennsylvania 
and  New  York. 380 

CHAPTER  XXVHI. 

Attends  the  anniversaries  in  N.  Y.  in  1840 — Visits  places  of  interest — 
Letter  to  the  World's  Anti-Slavery  Convention — Preaches  in  the  city 
and  urged  to  labor  there — Illness — Leaves  for  western  New  York — 
Refuses  to  travel  on  the  Sabbath — Kind  reception  from  the  Baptist 
minister  in  Syracuse — Preaches  once  at  his  request — Evils  resulting 
from  the  disregard  of  the  Sabbath  on  the  Erie  canal — Dreadful  death 
of  two  canal  boys — Labors  in  western  New  York  till  the  18th  of 
June — Attends  Holland  Purchase  yearly  meeting — Confined  to  his 
bed  by  a  severe  attack  of  bronchitis — Partial  recovery,  but  relinquishes 
preaching  two  months — In  the  mean  time  visits  Canada  and  writes  a 
treatise  on  "  The  Design  of  the  Lord's  Supper" — London  quarterly 
meeting — Character  of  fugitives  from  American  Slavery — Intemper- 
ance in  Canada — Returns  to  New  York — Resumes  his  labors  in  Sep- 
tember— On  account  of  his  health  locates  in  Varysburg — Organizes  a 
church  in  Portageville  with  which  he  labors  half  of  the  time — Revival 
in  Varysburgh — Alarming  sickness — Attends  Holland  Purchase 
yearly  meeting — Christian  Anti-Slavery  Convention  in  Auburn — 
Wyoming  county  Temperance  Convention — Lectures  on  Political 
Abolition  in  Warsaw — Leaves  for  the  General  Conference  in  Maine 
— Assailed  by  a  robber — Attends  Free-communion  Baptist  Confer- 
ence in  Central  New  York — Street  Temperance  meetings  —  Tem- 
perance in  Portsmouth  —  Eleventh  General  Conference  —  Lectures 
on  Temperance  in  the  street  in  Brunswick — arrival  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Noyes  from  India — Returns  to  New  York — Adopted  daughter— La- 
bors in  Varysburg  and  Java  till  May  1842 — calls  to  different  fields  of 
labor — Decides  to  accept  an  Agency  in  Ohio,  in  the  cause  of  Chris- 
tian Education — Tenth  and  last  journey  to  Upper  Canada — Travels 
and  labors  for  six  weeks  in  western  New  York.  -        -         397 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Lectures  on  the  duty  of  voters — Meets  Western  Reserve  Education 
Society  in  Chester,  Ohio,  July,  184Q — Society  purchases  a  farm  for 
their  Seminary — School  opened — Removes  his  family  to  Oberlin — 
Labors  for  the  Education  Society  till  last  of  Jan.  1843 — Studies  at 


I 


M 


d  Purchase 
—Letter  to 
359 


le  Holland 
•Revival  in 
meetings — 
^rs  of  Mr. 
sliase  year- 
ttends  the 
he  Slavery 
ference  on 
nnsylvania 
380 


interest — 
in  the  city 
IV  York — 
le  Baptist 
resulting 
ful  death 
e  18th  of 
ed  to  his 
inquishes 
writes  a 
quarterly 
ntemper- 
s  in  Sep- 
l^anizes  a 
-Revival 
Purchase 
uburn — 
Political 
in  Maine 
Confer- 
—  Tem- 
Ijectures 
nd  Mrs. 
er— La- 
fields  of 
'  Chris- 
Travels 
397 


CONTENTS. 


xi. 


M 
# 


Oberlin  and  labors — Call  from  the  Trustees  of  a  Literary  Institution 
in  Strafford,  N.  II. — Correspondence — Accepts  the  call — Labors  in 
New  Hampshire  for  three  months — Returns  to  New  York — 111  health 
— Labors  for  Western  Reserve  Education  Society — Health  fails — 
Extracts  from  his  correspondence — Health  improves — Resumes  preach- 
ing— Attends  Lake  Erie  quarterly  meeting  and  Ohio  Northern  yearly 
meeting — Discussion  on  baptism — Testimony  respecting  it — Letter 
from  E.  Place — Attends  the  twelfth  General  Conference  in  central 
New  York,  October  1844 — Extract  from  his  speech  on  the  political 
duty  of  a  Christian  citizen — Repoii.on  secret  societies — Book  concern — 
Close  of  Conference — Returns  to  Ohio — Tempest  and  dreadful  loss  of 
life  at  Buffalo — Wreck  of  the  Robert  Fulton — Arrival  at  Oberlin.  417 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

Health  declines — Kindness  of  Professor  Finney — Health  improves — 
Attends  Ohio  Northern  yearly  meeting,  June,  1845 — Michigan  yearly 
meeting — Letter  from  D.  H.  Graham — Relapse — Health  again  im- 
proves— Letter  from  India — From  E.  Place — Attends  Lorain  quarterly 
meeting  in  September — Relapse — Happy  state  of  mind — Brief  diary 
of  some  of  his  last  remarks — Dictates  a  Farewell  Address  to  his 
brethren — Carried  at  his  request  to  ;he  chapel  to  address  the  Students 
after  he  was  thought  to  be  dying — Death — Postmortem  examination — 
Funeral  Sermon — His  Farewell  Address  to  Free-will  Baptists  and  the 
world — His  Address  to  the  Oberlin  Students — Extracts  from  letters  of 
condolence — Resolutions  of  Associations  of  churches — Poetic  Tributes 
to  his  memory. 442 


Concluding  Remarks, 


512 


ucation 
irm  for 
erlin — 
dies  at 


!  'I 


*^  i 


MEMOIRS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

My  parentaffe,  and  other  particulars  till  my  father's  removal  to 

New  York,  S^c. 

My  ancestors  were  of  Jewish  origin.  My  fatlier,  David  Marks, 
2d.  was  the  eldest  son  of  David  Marks,  1st.  of  Burlington,  Hart- 
ford county,  Ct.  who  wjis  a  grandson  of  Mordecai  Marks,  a  Jew. 
My  mother,  Rosanna  Merrinum,  eldest  daughter  of  Chauncey  Mer- 
riman,  of  Soutliington,  in  the  same  county,  was  mamed  to  ray  fa~ 
rher  at  the  conmiencement  of  the  year  1800.  They  were  both 
members  of  the  Calvinistic  Baptist  church.  After  residing  in  Bur- 
lington for  five  years  following  their  marriage,  they  removed  to 
tlie  town  of  Shcndaken,  Ulster  county,  N.  Y.  In  the  latter  town, 
I  was  born  Nov.  4,  1805.  I  was  the  fourth  child.  One,  a  daugh- 
ter, died  before  my  birth  at  the  age  of  ten  months.  At  this  time 
my  mother  remarked,  with  much  confidence,  that  my  life  would 
be  short.  '"  For,"  said  she,  '"  I  believe  God,  by  his  Holy  Spirit, 
lias  impressed  it  on  my  mind,  that  the  child  shall  live  before  him, 
-.us  did  Samuel  anciently  ;  and  that  in  early  life  the  Lord  will  set 
him  for  the  defence  of  the  gospel,  mul  call  liim  to  do  a  great,  but  a 
>liort  work  in  the  earth."  When  one  year  had  passed,  the  dropsy 
in  the  head,  considered  by  physicians  incurable,  came  near  termi- 
nating my  mortal  existence.  My  mother's  faith  "\vjis  then  sluUcen 
in  what  she  had  asserted  on  the  day  of  my  birth ;  but  God  bless- 
ed the  use  of  means,  and  from  the  gate  of  death  i*estored  me  to 
health. 

One  of  the  first  occurrences  printed  in  my  recollection,  is  fjunily 
prayer.  As  early  as  I  was  susceptible  of  instruction  and  capable 
of  reflection,  the  truth,  that  all  must  die  and  appear  before    God, 


fl 


k 


'.: 


Hi 


i: 


!  J 


I* 


i!f 


I. 


1,*  f    :  f 


14 


MEMOIRS    OF 


to  account  for  their  actions,  was  solemnly  iinprcascd  on  my  mind. 
At  tlic  ago  of  four  years,  a  sense  of  death  and  judgment  caused 
awful  feelings  to  pervade  my  soul ;  particularly  one  day,  when  I 
was  alone  amusing  myself  with  burning  the  tow  of  flax  ;  the  dread- 
ful agony  of  the  wicked  in  hell,  rei)resented  in  the  word  of  God 
by  burning  with  unquenchalde  lire  was  instantly  brought  to  mind. 
Looking  into  the  flame,  1  thought  how  exceedingly  dreadful  ev«'n 
one  moment  would  be  in  this  lierce  burning;  then  turning  my 
eyes  toward  the  heavens  I  said  within  myself,  how  will  my  sold 
endure,  if  yet  in  sin,  at  the  great  judgment  day,  when  God  shall 
appear,  and  set  the  world  on  fire?  Finally,  I  concluded  that  T 
would  descend  into  a  well  when  that  period  should  arris  <>,  and  go- 
ing immediately  to  my  mother,  told  her  my  resolution.  "  Ah,  my 
son,"  said  she,  "  the  water  will  boil,  and  the  earth  will  burn.' 
Another  expedient  was  suggested.  I  thought  1  would  hew  out  a 
place  of  retreat  in  a  rock,  ajid  there  hide  myself,  closing  the  en- 
trance. On  naming  this,  she  replied,  "  but  th(^  rocks  will  melt." 
My  sorrows  increased ;  but  on  reflection  I  hoped  ere  that  time 
should  come,  life  might  be  ended,  and  my  body  bm'ied  in  the 
earth ;  so,  telling  my  mother,  I  hoped  by  this  to  eseape,  she 
said,  "  My  child,  your  hope  is  vain  ;  for  the  dead  v,'ill  awake 
and  come  out  of  their  graves."  My  last  expedient  it  noAv  appear- 
ed woidd  fail ;  and,  retiring  to  a  field,  my  anguish  becamr  great, 
while  reflecting  that  my  parents  were  C*hristians  but  I  was  a  sin- 
ner ;  tears  flowed  profusely,  and  putting  my  hand  on  my  bosom,  I 
cast  my  eyes  toward  heaven,  and  said,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a 
sinner."  Now  existence  was  a  burden  ;  the  burning  of  the  tow 
recurred  to  mind,  and  I  earnestly  wished  that  I  was  something  in- 
animate, even  if  it  were  tow,  that  I  might  not  feel  the  a  engeancc 
that  would  fall  upon  the  wicked.  Once  jis  my  mother  laid  me 
down  to  rest,  she  said,  "  soon  my  son  you  will  exchange  the  bed 
for  the  grave,  and  your  clothes  for  a  winding  sheet."  Often,  after 
this,  when  I  lay  down  at  night,  my  bed  reminded  me  of  the  grave, 
and  the  sheets  of  the  grave  apparel.  About  this  time,  Jeremiah, 
my  eld<!St  brother,  then  eight  years  of  age,  was  converted  to  God, 
and  publicly  professed  faith  in  the  Redeemer.  Serious  thoughts 
of  death  and  judgment  continued  to  exercise  my  infant  powers. 

Very  solemn  feelings  were  excited  in  my  mind  at  (he  age  of 
four  years  and  seven  months,  by  seeing  our  house  wrappc^d  in  flumes. 
When  the  fire  was  discovered,  my  parents  were  at  the  house  of 
worship,  two  miles  distant,  having  left  me  at  home  with  my  two 
elder  brothers,  Jeremiah  and  Friend.  One  of  my  brothers  imme- 
diately ran  to  the  meeting,  the  other  to  the  neighbor's  house  for 
assistance.  Being  much  alarmed,  I  fled,  unpc^rceived,  with  all 
possible  haste  to  the  adjacent  wood,  thinking  of  nothing^l^ut  to  ^- 


^-~ 


I  my  mind, 

'ut  caused 

y,  when   I 

the  dreju!- 

•<l  of  Cod 

it  to  mind. 

adlVd  even 

iJ'ning   my 

I  my   soul 

God  si  mil 

ed  that   I 

^,  an<l  jro- 

"  Ah,  my 

ill  burn.'' 

hew  out  a 

v^  the  en- 

'ill   melt." 

that  time 

ed   in  the 

eape.   f^he 

ill  awake 

ff  ap])ear- 

iie  j^reat, 

as  a  sin- 

bcsora,  I 

to  me  a 

the  tow 

Jthing  in- 

enj^eanctt 

laid    me 

;  the  bed 

en,  after 

le  grave, 

re  mi  ah, 

to  God, 

thoughts 

awers. 

age  of 
1  flame?, 
house  of 
my  two 
s  imme- 
)use  for 
kvith  all 
U  to  es- 


DAVID   MARKS. 


15 


lapo  the  devouring  flame.  I  reached  the  phiec  of  retreat ;  but 
while  looking  on  the  trees,  the  recollection  of  having  seen  fire 
spread  rapidly  in  th(»  forest,  fille<l  me  with  fresh  alarm.  The 
leaves  wen;  just  i)ut  forth,  and,  though  green,  the  expectation  that 
they  loo  would  buiTi,  and  the  fire  be  communicated  to  them  by  the 
adjacent  fences,  induced  me  to  resum*^  my  flight.  In  the  mean- 
time, the  assembly  with  my  j^anrnts  ha«l  re.sorted  to  the  flames, 
;uid  immediately  the  anxious  incpjiry  was  made,  "  AVlierc  is  Da- 
vid?' lie  was  not  to  be  found.  No  one  had  seen  him.  An  aw- 
ful thought  rushed  upon  their  minds — the  flames  must  have  con- 
sumed him !  My  mother,  recollecting  her  former  impressions  con- 
cerning my  future  life,  in  anguish  of  soul,  cried  out,  "  O  Lord,  thou 
hast  deceived  me,  and  1  was  deceiv(;d  ;"  and  immediately  swoon- 
ing, she  fell  to  the  ground.  A  thought  that  the  child  might  yet  be 
alive,  induced  some  of  the  assembly  to  search  for  me  ;  while  otli- 
ers  endeavored  to  extinguish  the  flames,  expecting  to  discover  ray 
bones.  Tn  my  wandering,  a  path  appeared,  and,  deeming  the  op- 
posite side  more  safe,  as  it  presented  an  obstacle  to  the  fire,  I  quick- 
ly passed  it,  and  had  followed  its  windings  more  than  a  mile,  when 
one  of  the  compimy  discovered  the  object  of  their  search.  "  Your 
father  wishes  to  see  you,"  said  he,  and  tnking  me  up,  carried  me, 
till  we  came  within  sight  of  thc^smoking  ruins  of  my  native  home. 
The  people  were  still  employed  in  throwing  water ;  but,  on  see- 
ing us,  they  desisted,  and  my  father,  with  feelings  more  easily  im- 
agined than  described,  met  \m<,  and,  clasping  me  in  his  arms,  said, 
'•  My  son,  my  son,  are  you  yet  alive?"  kissed  me  and  carried  me 
to  my  mother.  She  soon  recovered  from  her  swoon.  Her  faith 
revived — and  rejoicing  with  great  joy,  they  said,  "  The  dead  is 
alive,  the  lost  is  found." 

By  this,  and  other  misfortunes,  my  father  lost  nearly  all  his  prop- 
erty, and  soon  after  returned  to  Connecticut,  where  he  resided  in 
the  towns  of  Bristol  and  Plymouth  more  than  four  years.  Dur- 
ing two  years  of  this  time,  Jenimiah  often  led  brother  Friend  and 
mys<;lf  to  the  chamlier,  barn,  or  field  ;  and  there  talked  to  us  of 
eternity,  taught  us  to  pray  and  seek  after  the  Lord.  While  en- 
joying these  opportunities,  my  heart  wjis  tenderly  affected,  and  se- 
rious impressions  deepened.  But  a  painful  scene  quickly  fol- 
lowed. 

My  father  journeyed  to  the  w^estern  part  of  New  York.  Im- 
mediately after  his  departure,  Jei-emiah  w^tus  severely  wounded  in 
the  foot  with  an  axe  ;  and  after  a  confinement  of  several  weeks, 
an  attack  of  the  typhus  fever  brought  wearisome  days,  lonely 
nights,  and  caused  his  flesh  to  waste  away.  Six  days  before  hi's 
death,  I  went  to  live  with  my  uncle  Marks  in  Burlington,  to  attend 
school.     Jan.  2,  1813,  after  my  return  from  school,  my  uncle  told 


N! 


(■  • 


16 


MEMOIRS    OF 


me  tlijit  my  brother  was  dead.     Tlie  dny  befoi'e  he  sat  up  several 
hours,  wrote  some,  and  said  he  tlioiif2;ht  he  sliouhi  reeov(u* ;  hut  in 
the  evening:  the  scene  chanjj^cd.       Death   liad   marked   him    i'or  a 
victim  ;  and   while  th(r  sun  of  life  Avas  siltinj^,  hr  said  to  my  moth- 
er, wJio  was  alonc!  with   him,    "  1   am  dyin;ij."     Iimnediately  slit- 
blew  a  trinnjtet,  to  call  assistance ;  then  takinj»' him  in  lier  arms. 
he  said,  "()  that  I  could  see  papa  once  more  ;  but  I  never  shall  in 
this  world."     Deacon  Wanl,  a  neighbor,   came   in,   havinj;  heard 
the  alaim.     IJeinj^  much  distressed,  Jeremiah  said,  "  My  pain   of 
body  is  very  j^rcat,"  and    once  added  he  wished  that  he  was  (h.-ad  ; 
but  immediately  recalle«l  it,  saying,  "  I  am  wrong ;  but  if  it  were  the 
will   of  God,  1  should  be  glad  to  be  out  of  pain."     He   made    af- 
fecting remarks   concerning  his  death,  and  a  short  time  before  he 
expired,  said,  "  O,  I  fear  Friend  and  David  will  nm  a  wicked 
race."     After  conversing  an  hour  and  a  half  very  calmly,  he  was 
laid  on  the  bed,  and  then  folding  his  hands  on  his  bosom,  he  look- 
ed steadfastly  towards  heaven.     They  had  now  thought  he  would 
never  speak  again,  when  he  distinctly  said,  "  Lord  Jesus,  may  I  be 
with  thee ;"  and   without  a  groan  or  struggle,  in  one  minute  and  a 
half,  his  pulse  ceased  to  beat,  and  his  spirit  took  flight  to  that  land 
whence  there  is  no  return.     Dea.  Ward  remarked,  that  he  had  of- 
ten been  called  to  attend  on  deatll-bed  scenes  for  forty  years,  but 
had  never  witnessed  one  so  much  composed  as  this.      Jeremiah 
was  eleven  years  and  six  months  of  age,  more  than  four  years  old- 
er than  myself.      His  body  was  laid  in  the  grave,  the  top  of  which 
was  covered  till  my  father  should  return.      His  death  greatly  af- 
fected rae,  for  I  loved  him  tenderly ;  and  when  his  dying  words. 
"  I  fear  they  will  run  a  wicked  race,"   recurred,  I  felt  and  mourn- 
ed  my   loss.     No  longer  could  I  hear  his  pious  warnings,  his   af- 
fectionate counsel,  and  never  again  would  he  instnict  me  to  call  on 
the  name  of  the  Lord.      About  two  months  after  this,  my  father 
having  returned,  his  body  was  taken  up,  carried  into  the  meeting 
house,  and  a  sermon  delivered.     Having  heard  of  instances  of  bur- 
ial in  cases  of  fits,  and  that  when  taken  from  the  earth  such  had 
been  revived,  my  childish  heart  beat  high,  when  I  thought  it  might 
be  thus  with  my  brother.      But  as  the  coffin  lid  was  raised,  all  m\ 
hope  vanished,  and  my  sorrow  returned.     That  face,  once  bloom- 
ing in  health,  was  now  covered  with  mould,  and  those  eyes,   once 
innocently  beaming  with  affection,  were  now  sunk  in  their  sock- 
ets.    A  deep  sense  of  my  own   mortality  pervaded  my  soul,   and 
afterward  I   frequently   addressed  the  throne  of  grace.     But  not 
clearly  discerning  the  things  of  the  kingdom,  I  often  joined  in  folly 
with  my  juvenile  companions,  by  which  the  Spirit  of  God  was* 
gi'ieved,  and  my  convictions  in  same  measure  effaced. 


DAVID    MARKS. 


r 


'My  motlicr  ofleii  niado  observations  upon  common  occurrenec.-, 
thiit  cjuised  deep  and  Isisliiig  impressions  on  my  min<l.  Once  when 
fhe  wius  killin<:c  some  f'oNvls,  their  dyin;^  strii;;'2;h'S  exeited  my  sym- 
piUliy,  even  to  wec])in;T,  and  I  asked  why  she  killed  them.  "  I)enr 
( hild,"  said  she,  "  fowls  have  to  die  for  man,  calves  have  to  die  for 
man,  sheep  have  to  die  for  man ;  but  what  is  more,  Jesus,  the  Sa- 
^  ior  of  the  world,  has  died  for  man,  and  soon  wc  must  die."  At 
another  time,  she  said  ;  "  have  you  ever  observed  the  youno;  sap- 
lin<.',  how  easily  you  can  bend  it  to  the  ground  ?"  I  answered 
'•  Yes."  She  continued,  "  Have  you  also  observed  that  when 
^irown  to  be  a  tree,  it  will  not  bow,  but  will  break  first  ?"  Again 
I  answered  ''  Yes ;"  and  she  said,  ''  Learn  instiiiction.  Now  in 
the  morning  of  life,  your  heart,  like  the  sapling,  is  tender,  and 
may  eai^ily  be  turned  to  God  ;  but  Avhcn  inured  to  crime  and  hard- 
ened by  transgression,  like  the  stubborn  oak,  it  will  not  bow." 

When  1  was  nine  years  old,  my  father  removed  to  the  town  of 
Junius,  Seneca  county.  New  Y'ork.  The  greater  part  of  the  time 
for  more  than  a  year  after  our  removal,  neglect  of  eternal  things 
marked  my  conduct ;  yet,  frequently,  after  joining  my  associates  in 
play,  such  condemnation  filled  my  :<oul,  that  I  would  resolve  never 
more  to  engage  in  idle  sports.  And  though  the  Spirit  of  God  did 
not  entirely  forsake  me,  yet  my  resolutions  Avere  often  broken,  and 
these  scenes  of  folly  and  sin  against  God  were  repeated.  About 
this  time,  my  brother  Friend  was  converted  to  God.  Serious  im- 
ju-essions  again  returned.  But  the  attachment  to  my  childish  plays 
and  companions  continued  ;  and  during  the  winter  months,  we  ap- 
pointed one  evening  in  every  week  for  diversion.  For  this,  con- 
science sharply  rcjjroved  me  ;  but  being  unwilling  to  desist  entire- 
ly, T  proposed  that  a  part  of  the  time  should  be  spent  in  learning 
the  orthography  of  words.  My  proposal  was  acceded  to,  but  still 
conscience  was  not  satisfied,  and  I  further  proposed  that  we  shouhl 
commence  our  school  with  prayer.  Some  of  my  associates,  observ- 
ing they  thought  it  would  be  well,  requested  me  to  address  the 
throne  of  grace  ;  the  request  was  granted,  which  so  affected  me,  that 
f  could  no  longer  participate  in  their  vanities  ;  but  for  a  time  re- 
mained a  spectator,  and  then  feeling  condemned  for  this,  wholly 
forsook  the  meetings.  Serious  impressions  again  increased,  and 
tl\e  fear  that  there  was  no  mercy  for  me,  that  my  case  was  hope- 
less, at  times  caused  me  keen  distress.  For  weeks  and  months,  I 
>  isited  tlie  place  of  secret  prayer  two  or  tliree  times  a  day,  till  dis- 
couragement and  imbelief  prevailed  on  me,  for  a  time,  to  desist. 
As  with  others  who  live  in  the  wicked  one,  excuses  for  procrasti- 
nation found  way  to  my  heart.  The  hope,  that  at  some  future,  un- 
known time,  a  revival,  or  some  other  event  would  render  seeking 
the  Lord  less  difficult,  made  me  again  indifferent. 


_-j;-a*G -   *    -  ^ 


? 


18 


MEMOIRS    OF 


C'lIAPTEK  II. 

An  account  of  my  conversion,  with  some  other  particuhtrs  till  my 
connection  with  the  Freewill  Jiaptists. 

In  the  Autinnn  of  1810,  when    I  wns   nearly  cloven  ycurs  old. 
un  alarming  oe(;n!Tonee  loudly  called  my  attention.     AVhilc  ridin<j: 
alone  tlii'oii<j;li  a  wood  but  a  little  distance  from    homo,  my  life  was 
much  endangered  by  a  sudden  fall  from  a   horse.      Instantly   the 
query  rushed  upon  me,  sis  if  a  voice  from  heaven  had  spoken  and 
said,  "  IL'ul  yota*  life  here  closed,  where  would  your  soul   have 
h\Hii\  now  ?"       CoHHciencc  answered,  "  It  would  have  been  in  hell.'* 
I  stood  tustonished  and  amazed.     The  recollection  of  my  past   life, 
of  broken    promises,    and   of  the    many    times  I  had  prayed,  as  I 
thought,    earnestly,   without  finding  relief,  rushed  upon  me  like    a 
fl(KMl.     The  anguish  of  my  soul    Avas  great,  and  tears  gushed  from 
my  eyes.     In  vain  did  I  regret  my  existence ;  "in  vain  did  I  en\y 
the   reptiles  of  the  earth   their  state.     Having  V>ecn  taught  that  a 
part  of  mankind  were  elected  to  salvation  and  the  rest  passed  by, 
with  great  bitterness,  the  exclamation  burst  from  my  bosom,    '•  1 
lun  a  reprobate  ;  there  is  no  mercy  for  me."      Now  did  the  sor- 
rows of  death  compass  me  about,  and  the  pains  of  lu'll  got  hold  of 
me.     Despair  bound  my  soul  with  its  cruel  fetters.     Nature    itself 
wore  a  solemn  gloom,  and  even  the  trees  seemed  to  mourn,  and 
the  heavens  to  frown.     Every  ray  of  hojte  was  g(»ne,  and  the  an- 
guish of  my  soul  was   insupportable.     "AVhat   shall    I  do?    what 
shall  I  do  ?"  was  my  cry  ;  then  a  thought   ru><hed   into  my   mind, 
which  in  some  measure  relieved    me.     '•  Peradxcnture    Cod   can 
and  will   have    mercy.     Christ  dicnl  for  sinners,  why  not  foi*  me  ? 
If  hell  must  be  my  portion,  and  T  must  finally  perish,   1   will  per- 
ish pleading  for  mercy."      But  now,  the  fate  of  former  jjromises 
occurred   to  my  mind  ;    for  in  tlie  hour  of  temptation  my    fe<'lings 
had  changed,  and  my  strongest  resolutions  had  failed.     AYhat  secu- 
rity had  I,  that  this  resolution  should  not,  in  like  manner  I'ail  ?     I 
felt  jealous  of  my  own  heart ;  and  this  seemed   an  awful  moment, 
on  which  my  eternal  destiny  was  pois(>d.     It  aj>peared  to  me  that 
heaven  or  hell,  depended  on  the  keeping,   or  not  keeping  of  this 
resolution.     And  1  felt  unwilling  to  leave  myself  the  least  liberty 
for  its  violation,  lest  this  dread  liberty  should  be  used  to  my  eter- 
nal ruiiu     So  falling  upon  my  knees,  and  raising  my  hand  towards 
heaven,  T  made  oath  imto  God,  saying,     "  As  long   as   thou   shalt 
give  me  life  and  ability,  like  Daniel,   Iivill  kneel  and  pray  to  thee 
thrice  in  a  day,  even  though  my  years  should  he  lengthened  to  three- 
score and  ten,  and  hell  he  my  doom  at  last"      T   arose  ;  my  tears 


■v,^ 


DAVID    MAKKS. 


19 


(Titsod  ;  distress  and  anxiety  were  lied;  and  ihoii^li  llic  darkiu'.^-* 
of  ni^ilit  vcili^d  tlir  «'arth,  yrt  iiatiirc  n.-<sunuMl  a  uvw  aspod.  All 
that  nu't  my  sight,  praisrd  (Jod,  and  my  heart  wiw  const rain«'d  to 
join  the  ihcnie.  Scttinfj;  ont  I'orhonH',  a  sndd«'n  rustling' anionj;  the 
trees  reminded  me  that  those  forests  were  inhaldtrd  hy  beaslw  of 
prey;  hnt  it  excited  no  timidity  as  u>nal.  neither  did  it  canse  me 
to  make  haste  ;  and  now,  for  the  first  lime.  I  wa.s  willing;  to  di**. 
Somethinf?  whispered,  "  How  is  this?  yon  are  not  a  Christian." 
'•  Trne,"  was  my  reply,  "hnt  the  .Indole  of  all  the  earth  will  (h» 
ri},d\t."  Such  a  sens(5  of  hisjnstice  and  *joodn<'ss  tilled  my  sonl. 
that  with  sweet  composure,  I  lelt  to  commit  my  all  to  Ilim,  and 
thus  wjis  quiet  from  tear  of  evil. 

Now  to  fnlHll  my  oath  recpiired  no  efTort,  for  it  seenu'd  that  my 
eternal  destiny  dep<Mided  upon  its  perfoiinam-e.  My  constant- 
prayer  was,  that  my  soul  mi;j;ht  he  horn  of  the  Spirit ;  hut  refh'i- 
tions  on  n»y  pjust  life,  the  just  and  holy  nature  of  God,  who  cannot 
look  on  sin  with  the  least  allowance,  no  lon/ier  caused  my  heart  to 
feel  condemnation  for  sin,  or  to  dread  his  venj^iance.  I  r<'a<l  the 
threatenin;^s  of  God's  word — they  moved  me  not.  1  hroiij;;ht  to 
view  the  pains  of  hell — my  soul  rejoiced  and  avjis  hiippy.  This 
seemed  to  me  very  wron«!;,  and  thought  I,  Christians  may  rejoice, 
hut  not  sinners.  I  was  now  distressed  with  fenrs  that  a  stiite  of 
insensihility  was  taking  possession  of  my  heart ;  for  I  lahored  to 
feel  again  my  former  load  of  guilt,  and  constantly  prayed  that  c«»n- 
viction  might  return,  but  in  vain.  Heaven  seemed  d<'af  to  my 
(Mitrcaties ;  and  while  thus  praying,  my  heart  seemed  so  hard,  that 
dreadful  fears  seized  me,  lest  conviction  had  ceased  forever  ;  yet  so 
sacred  appeared  my  oath,  that  not  the  Icn-^t  temptation  to  violate  it 
troubled  my  thoughts.  Once  when  bowed  before  the  Lord  in  se- 
cret, all  recollections  except  of  the  solenuj  vow,  fled  from  my  m<'m- 
orv  ;  and  not  an  idea  or  a  word  (x'cui'ring  to  inintl,  the  fearful  ex- 
pectation  was  excited,  that  I  should  be  com|)elled  to  )i>e  without 
oflering  a  single  petition  to  Heaven.  \h\i  finally  the  words  of  the 
publican,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner,"  came  to  my  recollec- 
tion, and  were  a.s  soon  repeated.  'I'hen  I  arose  and  relurned. 
weeping,  because  of  the  hjirdness  of  my  heart.  Again,  while 
|»raying,  I  used  every  effort  to  [)ictine  to  my  view  the  hoirors  of 
the  burning  world,  and  bring  to  my  soul  a  feeling  sense  of  the  ag- 
onizing pains  of  the  damneil ;  but  instead  of  this,  my  soul  Wiis 
fdled  with  joy,  and  the  exclamation,  "  (Jlory  to  God  I"  burst  from 
my  lips.  Then,  for  the  first  time,  the  thought  was  suggeste<l,  that 
])0ssibly  God  had  already  forgiven  all. 

Though  my  opportunity  at  school  had  been  small,  T  had  fortti- 
nately  succeeded  in  learning  to  read  a  little,  yet  not  without  spell- 
ing many  of  the  woi'ds.     My  anxiety   to  become   acquainted  with 


ll^ 


!      I 


20 


mkmmiu«5  ok 


flic  ScripfurrJ,  w.'w  very  p;r(»Mt.  ^'ct,  as  my  purcntn  were  p(K»r 
and  in  u  ruw  coinilry,  wr  hinl  to  cndnrc  nmny  privuiionn.  (Jcn- 
♦•rally,  labor  occnpicfl  all  my  linK."  (Inriii<;  tln'  <lay,  ami  it  beinj;  «lit- 
(i«'iilt  for  ns  to  obtain  catMlIrs,  I  rcsoitcd  to  the  «'Xp('(lient  of  climb- 
in<r  tn<s  to  procnrc  tbc  bark  <>r  tbc  liickory,  wbich  burns  with 
iniich  flanu'  ;  and  by  tlic  li^bt  ol'  tliis  lirr,  I  comnu-nccd  n'a<lin;r 
the  Hil)l(',  witli  anxious  interest  and  a  prayerf'nl  lieart,  Ireipiently 
eontinuin;jj  my  studies  two  or  three  hours  aiter  tlie  Jainily  had  re- 
tired to  re<t.  As  my  at'(|uaintan('e  with  the  experiv-m-e  a!jd  evi- 
(h-nees  of  the  Christian  increased,  the  c(tnviction  ;;radually  setth-d 
in  my  mind,  after  an  examination  of  my  own  heart,  that  one  potn- 
and  unworthy  a.s  myself,  mi^^ht  claim  llu'  rich  and  precious  prom- 
ises of  the  "iosjad.  Then  a;^ain  doubts  and  fears  pained  nu;,  lest  I 
should  build  upon  a  false  hope,  and  finally  perish.  My  prayer  to 
(Jod  was,  "  If  I  have  received  remission  of  sins,  fjrant  unto  me  an 
evi<lence  of  the  sann-,  and  forbid  that  J  t^hould  trust  in  anything 
short  of  that  efh'ctual  chaii'je,  which  alone  can  prepare  the  soul 
for  the  pure  joys  of  the  heavenly  world."  ]\Iy  mind  oontimied 
thus  exercised  in  su))plication,inUil,  thou«»;h  slow  of  heart  to  Indieve. 
a  partial  witness  of  liavinjjf  ex})«'rien<'ed  rciieneralion,  rrhi<l(h;ned  my 
lu'arl,  and  caused  me  to  exehiim,  with  the  an<r<'ls,  "  Over  Ju<hdj's 
hallowed  plain,"  ''  (jlory  to  (iod  in  the  highest  ;  on  earth  peace, 
and  fjood  will  toward  men." 

The  period  from  my  cousecrating  myself  to  (lod  by  oath  till 
tills  time,  was  eighteen  months.  Soon  after,  in  a  conference  meet- 
ing of  the  Calvinlstic  l>a})tists,  I  arose  for  the  first  tim(»,  rei)eated 
a  hynm  that  rested  with  some  weight  on  my  mind,  and  then  sat 
d(»wn.  Some  were  surprised,  for  as  yet  nothing  had  escaped  my 
lips,  respecting  my  state  of  mind.  The  deacon  asked  me  if  I  had 
experienced  a  cliange  of  heart.  I  was  embarrassed,  fearing  to  say 
that  1  had,  or  had  not  ;  but  aft<'r  a  short  ])ause,  1  answered,  "  1 
do  not  know."  lie  then  remarked,  that  he  had  observed  many  in 
childhood  connnence  apparently  a  religious  course  ;  but  that  i( 
had  given  him  little  satisfaction,  as  they  had  generally  turned  to  the 
woild  in  a  short  time,  and  when  arrived  at  manhood,  they  had  be- 
come the  worst  of  men.  His  words  sunk  deep  into  my  heart,  and. 
with  my  own  trials  and  fears,  shook  my  confidence.  Doubts,  like 
:»  Hood,  rushed  again  upon  me  ;  for  I  thought,  were  T  a  Christian, 
surely  they  would  take  me  by  the  hand  and  gently  lead  me  in  the 
way.  But,  being  unwilling  to  give  up  heaven,  I  continued  more 
fervent  in  prayer,  constantly  asking  of  the  Lord  wisdom,  patience 
and  lunnility,  beseeching  him  to  keep  me  from  deception  and  false 
hopes.  Heaven  lent  a  gracious  ear,  and  instead  of  sinking  under 
trials,  my  faith  was  increasi^d,  and  my  hope  so  confiniied,  that  not 
a  doubt  remained.      And  I  thought  frequently,  though  the  world 


•««., 


I 
■I 

■a 


PAVin    MARKS. 


21 


wore  |((K.r 
'HIM.  (icrj- 
f  l>oill;r  ,lif*. 
|<  of  cliiiih- 
"inis  with 
'<!   r<'a<lin;: 

I   and   cvi- 
illy  sctflcd 

t  OJK!  JXJor 

oils  jironi- 
nu!,  I«'st  I 

pmyt'i'  to 

'•to  lilt'  an 

anjtliin^ 

tlio   soul 

continued 

o  boliovc. 

lonc'd  mv 

Jn<lah's 

'»    peace, 

oath  till 
ce  mect- 
i'o])eat('d 

hen    sat 

)('d  mv 
if  I  liad 
?  to  sav 

nany  in 

that  il 
J  to  thv 
»ad  ho- 

t,  and. 
is,  like 

istian, 

in  tlio 

mor«> 
itienee 
J  false 
under 
at  not 
world 


'I 


.nlioiild  dispute,  T  could  hut  helicvr  Ilcavon  had  brstowod  th«' 
*'  pearl  of  ^reat  price."  When  a  few  weeks  had  passed,  I  arose 
in  a  nieelin;;,  alter  hearin;;  the  sermon,  and  (-(jnlessed  the  j^iaee  of 
(lod.  drchii-inf^  \uy  eon\  ietioii,  thai  In  the  same,  my  homI  had  Ixen 
'•  redeemed  from  amon;;  men."  Ivetnrnlnj^  home,  {»reat  peace  glad- 
dened my  heart.  My  faith  heeana'  more  setth-il,  and,  at  times,  my 
joy  seemed  to  he  full.  J  had  always  suppostid  that  a  ehans^<'  «tf 
heart  w;ts  act*, h»j)anied  with  some  outward  wonder;  that  the  Sa- 
vi«»r  or  ai  mj^td  would  appear  in  the  la  avens  ;  or  som(^  sudden 
shock,  iv8  of  el<rtrieity,  would  for  an  instant  cause  pain  of  body. 
And  \\h''n  Jeaus,  iti  a  ^tili  small  voice,  renu)ved  my  piilt  and  tilled 
my  soul  uith  peace  and  Joy,  experijMiee  was  so  ojiposite  to  my  ex- 
pectation, that  it  often  seemed  impossihle,  that  It  ctmhl  he  a  Raving 
eitan^'e,  which  thus  caused  me  to  rejoice  and  'ove  the  humble 
stiints. 

OiK'  rule  pven  ii\  the  word  of  r}«)d,  whereby  we  may  know 
that  we  have  passed  from  death  unto  life,  is,  love  to  the  brethren. 
This  witness  is  plain  ;  and  when  we  have  certain  evidence  thai 
our  attachment  to  th(^  saints  is  peculiar  to  their  Christian  character, 
and  pro[)ortionate  to  the  deg»'eo  of  holiness  they  possess,  then  we 
may  be  sure  that  we  have  been  accepted  of  the  Lord.  'J'he  Chris- 
tian need  not  remain  in  doubts,  darkness  and  tempests,  but  may 
come  to  the  faith  of  assurance  ;  not  by  w.aiting  for  God  to  work 
miracles  for  his  confirmation,  but  by  searching  the  Scripture  evi- 
dences, proving  liis  own  lieart,  and  e/»nstantly  bearing  the  crosf, 
Wlien  Niuimim,  the  Syrian,  came  to  the  projdiet  of  Israel,  he  sup- 
posed that  some  great  thing  would  be  wrought  visibly,  to  effect  a 
cure  of  his  lei)rosy.  Thus,  many  hav«?  expected  that  regeneration 
should  effect  some  change  in  nature,  or  that  some  visible  wonder, 
rather  than  submission  of  heart  an<l  reconciliation  to  God,  should 
give  them  evidence  of  salvation.  And  when  a  silent  voice 
has  removed  their  burden,  and  com[)osure  of  soul,  with  love  to 
God  and  his  people,  has  succeeded,  they  have  passed  the  time  of 
their  conversion  without  a  witness  of  it ;  and  though  unable  to  find 
their  former  convictions  and  condemnation,  they  have  neglected  to 
take  the  cross  or  embrace  the  promis(^s.  and  thus  for  years  have 
walked  in  darkness,  not  knowing  whither  they  went.  Would  such 
diligently  search  the  Scriptures,  examine  their  hcfirts  and  try  their 
spirit,  they  would  learn  the  nature  and  evidence  of  a  saving  change, 
juul  thereby  know,  as  well  as  Paul, "  If  tlanr  earthly  house  of  this  tab- 
ej'nacle  win'e  dissolved,  they  have  a  building  of  God,  a  house  not 
made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens ;"  and  instead  of  continu- 
ing babes  in  knowledge,  they  Mould  gi'ow  to  the  stature  of  men  and 
women  in  Christ  Jesus. 


22 


MEMOIRS    OF 


11  i 


No  revival  marked  the  period  of  my  conversion  and  public  pro- 
fession of  the  same.  Professors  were  greatly  at  ejise  in  Zion,  and 
aeorn,  contempt,  and  derision  were  heaped  upon  me.  However, 
it  ad'ected  nio  little,  for  the  a])plau.se  and  glory  of  the  world  ap- 
peared as  \..nity  of  vanities  ;  "  All  llesh  seemed  as  grass  and  the 
flower  of  grass ;"  but  the  aj)probation  of  God,  as  a  treasure 
that  endurelh  forever.  Though  opposition  and  persecution  from 
nearly  jUI  were  combined  to  discourage  me,  yet  the  Lord  gave 
grace  find  strength  equal  to  my  day,  and  enabled  me  in  all  places, 
as  opportunity  presented,  to  bear  the  cross  and  testify  to  the  truth. 
In  the  public  assemVjly,  even  when  there  wjis  no  liberty  given,  feel- 
ing the  Lord  required  it,  I  was  frequent  in  my  testimonies.  For 
this,  many  thought  me  forward,  but  in  no  other  way  could  I  have 
a  conscience  void  of  offence  toward  God  and  man. 

In  the  fall  of  the  year  1818,  upon  relating  my  experience  to 
the  Calvinistie  Baptist  chiireh  in  Junius,  they  received  me  as  a 
candidate  for  baptism  ;  but  as  it  was  then  evening,  rainy,  and  the 
water  two  miles  distant,  thi'ough  woods,  they  deferred  its  perform- 
ance till  the  next  covenant  meeting.  At  the  appointed  time,  I  at- 
tended with  a  change  of  raiment ;  but  here  unexpected  trials  came 
upon  me.  The  minister  being  unable  to  attend,  in  consequence  of 
illness,  a  licensed  preacher  of  Junius  church,  spoke  to  the  people. 
I  was  not  only  disappointed,  in  not  being  baptized,  but  not  a  mem- 
ber of  the  church  spoke  a  word  of  comfort  to  me,  or  even  asked 
of  my  welfare.  Had  I  not  been  a  child,  weak  and  inexperienced, 
perhaps  this  coldness  would  not  have  been  noticed  :  but  it  touched 
a  tender  cord.  I  returned  home  much  depressed  in  spirit,  feeling 
as  though  I  had  no  one  to  encourage  or  lead  me  in  the  way  of  du- 
ty. But  the  Lord  was  my  helper,  and  God  was  my  refuge  ;  his 
arm  upheld  me,  and  he  turned  my  sorrow  into  rejoicing.  Af\er 
this,  I  continued  to  attend  their  covenant  meetings,  in  which  they 
practised  speaking  to  each  member  of  the  church,  but  gave  no  lib- 
erty to  others.  Believing  the  command  to  be  baptized  still  obli- 
gatory, and  feeling  anxious  to  walk  in  the  path  of  obedience,  twice, 
at  different  periods,  I  spoke  without  liberty,  at  the  close  of  the 
meeting,  and  renewed  my  roque>st  for  baptism  ;  but  received  no 
direct  answer.  None  of  the  members  jiretended  even  to  sj)cak  to 
me,  and  the  same  coldness  was  constantly  manifested  on  all  occa- 
sions. The  cause  I  knew  not ;  but  it  finally  worked  for  my  good, 
as  it  taught  me,  that  in  tl\e  Rock  of  ages  alone  should  be  my  trust 
and  my  strength. 

My  parents,  believing  the  ministry  would  be  the  great  work  of 
my  life,  and  that  a  collegiate  course  of  study  was  a  necessary 
preparation,  concluded  to  place  ine  in  a  free  school,  as  they  them- 
selves were  unable  to  defray  the  consequent  expense.      Having 


-^A 


DAVID    MARKS. 


23 


public  pro- 
i  Zion,  and 
However, 
world  ap- 
is  and  the 
a  ti'easure 
ition  from 
jord  gave 
ill  places, 
•  the  truth, 
fiven,  feel- 
lics.  For 
aid  I  have 

;rience  to 
d  me  as  a 
y,  and  the 
3  perform- 
:ime,  I  at- 
I'ials  came 
iquence  of 
fie  people. 
3t  a  mem- 
en  asked 
lerienced, 
t  touched 

feeling 
ly  of  du- 
hie 
After 
lich  they 
'0  no  lib- 
till  obli- 
ce,  twice, 

of  the 
ivcd  no 
9j)cak  to 
all  occa- 
ny  good, 
ny  trust 

work  of 
cessary 
y  thera- 
Having 


uge 


heard  that  in  Providence,  R.  T.,  provisions  were  made  for  educat- 
ing the  indigent,  I  lefl  home  alone  at  the  age  of  thirteen,  in  com- 
plian<^e  with  the  wishes  of  my  ])arents,  to  travel  on  foot,  among 
strangers,  the  distance  of  308  miles,  expecting  to  be  absent  five  or 
six  years.  My  Heavenly  Father  provided  me  friends.  Strangers, 
wIkmi  they  hsarned  the  object  of  my  journey,  were  very  kind,  of- 
ten bestowing  a  little  money  to  defray  my  expenses :  sometimes 
P  they  would  weep,  and  frequently  express  much  surprise  upon  see- 

ing a  child  alone,  so  far  from  home.  At  tim«;s,  while  thinking  of 
tmy  friends  beneath  the  parental  roof,  lonely  and  solitary  feelings 
weighed  down  my  spirit;  yet  the  JA)rd  of  Hosts  was  my  com- 
forter. He  dispersed  the  gloom,  by  pounng  heavenly  consolation 
into  my  bosom.  Freqiient  opportunities  of  riding  relieved,  in  a 
great  measui-e,  the  tediousncss  of  the  journey.  In  twelve  days, 
I  reached  Providence,  and  was  kindly  received  by  Mr.  Messers, 
President  of  Brown  University,  to  whom  I  delivered  a  letter  from 
my  i)arents.  After  a  stay  of  two  days,  he  infonned  me  that  tui- 
tion would  be  free,  but  no  provision  was  made  for  board  and  cloth- 
ing ;  and  advised  me  to  go  to  an  Institution  in  Mass.  where  he 
thought  a  reception  would  be  afforded,  agreeably  to  my  wishes.* 
He  offered  me  a  letter  of  introduction  to  the  Directors  of  that 
Institution,  but  the  fear  that  admission  would  not  be  granted,  and 
an  expectation,  that  equal  privileges  might  be  enjoyed  nearer 
home,  in  Hamilton,  N.  York,  where  a  free  school  was  soon  to  be 
established,  induced  me  to  return  homeward.  My  heart  was  not 
free  from  trial  and  temptation.  While  traveling  one  evening  netir 
jVlbany,  I  came  to  a  toll  bridge,  and  all  around  being  silent,  the 
following  suggestions  were  presented.  "  You  are  now  a  child,  in 
a  land  of  strangers,  without  sufficient  money  to  bear  your  expen- 
ses to  your  parents ;  you  can  climb  this  gate,  paf^s  over  the  bridge, 
without  harming  it,  and  thus  save  a  little,  that  will  do  you  good, 
without  injury  to  any  one."  With  these  views,  I  passed  over  the 
gat<%  when  feelings  of  guilt  and  condemnation  so  burdened  me, 
that  I  turned  aside  to  a  retired  place,  and  there  laid  my  case  be- 
fore the  Lord,  beseeching  him  to  lead  me  in  the  path  of  duty,  and 
keep  me  from  sinning  against  him.  Feeling  an  impression  to'  re- 
turn, and  like  an  honest  child,  pay  for  crossing  the  bridge,  I  sin- 
cerely wished  myself  the  other  side  of  the  gate.  Thinking  the 
deed  must  be  undone,  and  not  wishing  it  to  be  known,  I  conclud- 
ed to  climb  the  gate,  and  then  request  to  have  it  opened  for  my 
passage; ;  but  while  in  the  act  of  gcilting  over,  a  woman  heard  me, 
and  coming  to  the  door,  much  to  my  alarm,   exclaimed;    "What! 

'  1  Wiis  afterwards  informed  thst  Honio  of  tlie  students  ipuch  reprcttcd  tliry  had  net 
known  my  case  ;  and  that  they  said  had  ihey  known  It,  they  would  liuve  sustained  nae 
througli  a  course  of  study. 


24 


M£MOIRS    OF 


are  you  climbing  the  gate  ?"  Trembling,  I  related  to  her  my  situ- 
ation, the  struggle  of  my  mind  with  regard  to  duty,  and  my  wish 
to  pay  the  toll.  Laughing  heartily,  she  replied,  "  Ah,  dear  ehild, 
you  may  go  free,  I  will  receive  nothing,  and  may  blessings  follow 
you."  She  then  opened  the  gate,  when,  with  a  light  heart  and  an 
approving  conscienc3,  I  continued  my  journey,  and  reached  home, 
alter  an  absence  of  twenty-five  days. 

Passages  Avcre  so  frequently  given  me  in  stages  and  in  other  car- 
riages, that  not  more  than  one  third  of  this  journey  was  perform- 
ed on  foot.  And  with  few  exceptions,  those  persons  with  whom 
I  tarried  and  received  of  their  liberality,  would  accejit  any  recom- 
pense ;  but  generally  conversed  familin  rly  with  me,  and  asked  me  to 
pray  with  them.  In  compliance  with  their  invitations,  my  soul  was 
often  greatly  blessed.  After  my  return,  the  infbmtiation  that  none 
could  be  freely  educated  in  Hamilton  without  bail,  that  should  be 
accountable  for  the  expense,  in  case  they  shoidd  ever  preach  any 
other  doctrine  than  that  beheved  by  the  C.  liaptists,  induced  mc  to 
relinquish  the  idea  of  pursuing  a  course  of  literary  study? 

I  continued  to  attend  the  Baptist  covenant  meetings,  and  wa« 
treated  with  the  same  studied  coldness  as  before.  Six  months  had 
passed,  since  the  church  received  me  as  a  candidate  for  baptism, 
and  still  all  was  silence  on  the  subject.  As  yet,  the  vote  of  fel- 
lowship hjid  neither  been  recalled  nor  disannulled.  A  sense  of  the 
solemn  duty  lay  so  heavily  on  my  mind,  that  I  again  renewed  the 
request,  in  case  they  still  believed  me  a  fit  subject ;  and  if  not,  1 
desired  them  to  let  me  know  it.  They  now  discussed  the  subject, 
and  observed,  that  when  I  was  received,  a  part  of  the  church  on- 
ly was  present,  consequently,  the  absent  members  were  unacquaint- 
ed with  my  experience ;  and  added,  that  some  of  those,  who  did 
receive  me,  on  consideration  had  changed  their  minds.  Being  re- 
quested, I  again  related  my  experience,  and  my  present  exercises. 
They  wished  to  know  my  sentiments,  concerning  particular  and 
unconditional  election,  and  communion,  as  believed  and  practiced 
by  them.  I  told  them  it  was  a  doubt  in  my  mind,  whether  those 
views  were  agreeable  to  the  Scriptures.  The  whole  church,  with 
^  one  exception,  voted  they  were  not  satisfied  with  my  experience, 
and  could  not  receive  me.  Trials  now  pressed  heavily  upon  me, 
and  I  felt  like  a  lone  and  friendless  child.  Something  whispered, 
"  What  folly  to  think  you  are  a  Christian,  when  men  of  piety  and 
experience  disown  you.  You  are  but  a  child,  and  do  you  know 
more  than  the  whole  church  ?"  My  temptations  were  very  great. 
But  to  the  Lord  only  could  I  go  ;  and  had  he  not  granted  succor, 
by  especially  manifesting  himself,  despondence  would  have  discour- 
aged me,  and  that,  perhaps,  forever.  My  oath  was  sacred  ;  and 
its  perfonnance  diligently  attended.     The  grace  of  God  was  suffi- 


DAVID    MARKS. 


25 


ir  my  situ- 
my  wish 
[ear  child, 
ngs  follow 
irt  and  an 
lied  home, 

other  car- 
s  perform- 
ith  whom 
ny  reconi- 
sked  me  to 
y  soul  was 
I  that  none 
shoidd  be 
reach  any 
iced  mc  to 

and   was 
lonths  had 
)r  baptism, 
ote  of  fel- 
3nse  of  the 
newed  the 
d  if  not,  1 
e  subject, 
hurch  on- 
acquaint- 
who   did 
Being  re- 
exercises, 
ular   and 
practiced 
iher  those 
rch,  with 
perience, 
upon  me, 
hispered, 
piety  and 
ou  know 
7  great, 
succor, 
discour- 
red ;  and 
as  suffi- 


cient for  me,  and  if  ever  the  consolation  of  his  Spirit  gladdened 
my  heart,  it  did  in  those  days.  My  peace  became  like  a  river,  and 
wintry  trials  gave  place  to  the  cheermg  joys  of  spring  and  sum- 
mer. I  attended  meetings  with  different  denominations,  particu- 
larly the  Methodist,  and  often  had  happy  seasons,  feeling  my  spir- 
itual strength  renewed.  But  their  sentiments  not  being  in  every 
particular  congenial  with  my  own,  I  could  not  find  that  my  home 
was  Avith  them. 

In  the  month  of  July,  1819,  Elder  Zebulon  Dean,  and  his  com- 
panion, having  heard  of  my  situation,  and  feeling  interested,  sent 
an  ap{)ointmcnt  to  our  neighborhood,  and  came  thirty  miles,  accom- 
panied by  brother  Samuel  Wire,  then  an  nnordained  preacher,  and 
two  other  brethren.  They  were  Freewill  Baptists,  and  the  first  of 
whom  I  had  any  knowledge.  On  Saturday,  July  10th,  I  met  with 
them  and  learned  their  sentiments  and  spirit,  which  so  well  accord- 
ed with  my  own  views  and  feelings,  that  desiring  to  be  baptized, 
I  related  to  them  my  experience  and  sentiments,  also  the  manner 
in  which  my  application  to  unite  with  the  Baptist  church  had  been 
received  and  afterwards  i-ejected.  They  expressed  satisfaction 
with  my  experience,  approved  of  my  sentiments,  and  the  next  day, 
being  the  Sabbath,  a  meeting  was  appointed  for  pi-eaching  and  ex- 
amination, at  the  house  where  the  Baptist  church  usually  met  for 
worship.  They  having  been  invited  to  attend,  were  generally 
present,  with  a  large  concourse  of  people.  After  sermon,  being 
requested,  I  stood  upon  a  bench,  and  again  related  the  dealings  of 
the  Lord  w^ith  me.  Elder  Dean  requested  the  church  to  state  the 
reason  why  they  did  not  receive  me.  After  a  space  of  silence, 
one  of  the  members  answered,  that  it  had  been  understood  the 
child  was  disobedient  to  his  parents.  This  report  to  me  was  new  ; 
but  on  being  traced  to  its  source  in  presence  of  the  assembly,  it 
was  manifest,  that  it  had  originated  in  misunderstanding  ;  and  as 
it  was  contradicted  by  my  parents  and  others.  Elder  Dean  still 
(Milled,  not  only  on  the  church,  but  on  the  whole  assembly,  to  show 
if  they  knew  any  reason  that  should  debar  me  from  the  privileges 
of  the  house  of  God,  and  if  not,  charged  them  forever  to  hold 
their  peace.  Nothing  more  being  said,  the  a.ssembly  resorted  to 
the  water.  To  me,  this  was  a  long  desire<l  and  pleasant  hour. 
Wlien  hid  into  the  stream,  feeling  impressed  to  address  the  people, 
I  turned  and  declared  to  them  my  weariness  of  transgression,  and 
my  determination,  through  grace,  foiever  to  forsake  all  sin,  the 
way  of  the  wicked,  and  to  travel  the  narrow  way  to  the  city  of 
Gk)d.  After  earnestly  soliciting  those  oi"  my  age  and  all  sinners 
to  begin  with  me  to  seek  a  better  world,  I  assured  them  if  they 
would  not,  I  must  leave  them  forever ;  and  called  heaven  and  earth, 
the  assembly,  aud  even  the  water  in  which  I  stood,  to  record  my 
3 


26 


MEMOIRS    or 


separation  from  the  world,  and  to  witness  against  me  in  the  judg> 
nient  day,  if  I  should  ever  forsake  the  Lord ;  then,  having  been 
laid  in  the  baptismal  grave  and  raised  agjiin,  I  went  on  my  way 
rejoicing. 

On  the  1 7lh  of  the  same  month,  I  attended  the  Benton  Quarter- 
ly Meeting  of  the  Freewill  Baptists,  in  the  town  of  Phelps,  eigh- 
teen miles  from  my  father's,  and  was  there  received  a  member  of 
the  church  in  that  place.  Five  were  baptized,  and  a  profitable 
season  was  enjoyed.  After  this,  Elder  Dean  and  brother  Wire 
frequently  preached  in  Junius.  A  revival  followed  their  labors,  in 
which  some  of  my  former  persecutors  were  converted  to  the  faith 
of  the  gospel.  In  the  ensuing  autmnn,  brother  Wire  was  ordain- 
ed. He  and  Elder  Dean  baptized  fifteen  in  Junius,  who  united 
with  the  church  in  Phelps  ;  but  in  January  following,  they  were 
dismissed  and  acknowledged  a  church  in  Junius,  taking  tne  Scrip- 
tures for  their  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice.  Being  absent  at 
the  time  of  its  organization,  I  did  not  become  one  of  its  members 
till  the  ensuing  spring.  This  church  walked  in  gospel  order  sever- 
al nionths,  and  enjoyed  many  happy  seasons.  But  the  summer  of 
prosperity  passed,  and  the  winter  of  adversity  succeeded.  New 
and  unexpected  trials  brought  heaviness  and  mourning.  Seven  or 
eight,  \/ho  first  united  and  were  well  engaged,  soon  turned  aside 
afler  satan  and  walked  no  more  with  us.  Iniquity  abounding,  the 
love  of  some  waxed  cold.  Every  feeling  of  my  soul  was  pained, 
when  those  with  whom  I  had  taken  sweet  counsel,  thus  wounded 
the  iimocent  cause  of  Jesus  and  brought  it  into  reproach.  But 
while  our  number  decreased  by  excommunications,  the  Lord  more 
than  supplied  the  vacancies  by  adding  to  the  church  of  such  as 
should  be  saved.  Determined,  by  the  help  of  God,  to  walk  in  the 
truth  and  keep  all  the  commandments,  I  embraced  every  opportu- 
nity of  attending  meetings  of  worship ;  when  generally  my  spirit 
was  pressed  within  me  to  warn  the  wicked  of  the  necessity  of  a 
preparation  to  meet  God  ;  and  I  seldom  remained  silent,  as  this 
brought  condemnation  to  my  soul. 


'     I 


DAVID   MARK^. 


27 


in  the  ju<lg" 
Slaving  been 
on  my  way 

on  Quarter- 
helps,  eigh- 
i  member  of 
a  proHtable 
•other  Wire 
ir  hibors,  in 
to  the  faith 
was  ordain- 
who  united 
they  were 
5  tne  Scrip- 
f  absent  at 
s  members 
>rder  sever- 
summer  of 
led.      New 

Seven  or 
rned  aside 
>unding,  the 
i^as  pained, 
s  wounded 
ach.  But 
Lord  more 
af  such  as 
valk  in  the 
■y  opportu- 

my  spirit 
issity  of  a 
ent,  as  this 


CHAPTER  III. 

C'iJl  to  the  ministry,  and  the  particulars  of  my  exercises  and  gospel 

labors  for  three  months. 

Nov.  4,  1820,  completed  ray  fifteenth  year.  On  this  day,  going 
alone  into  a  wood  on  a  high  hill,  while  the  rain  was  descending,  1 
f  11  upon  the  ground,  and  formally  dedicated  myself  anew  to  God, 
promising  faithfulness  and  full  submission  to  his  will.  In  this  ded- 
ication, casting  my  eyes  upon  the  surrounding  country,  I  had  a  view 
of  the  gospel  harvest,  and  felt  the  first  serious  impression,  that  du- 
ty would  call  me  to  labor  therein. 

On  Jan.  1,  1821,  having  been  solicited  by  Elder  Dean,  I  left 
home  and  went  to  Benton  and  Milo,  where  a  revival  was  pro- 
gressing, and  there  attended  several  meetings  with  the  Elder, 
generally  giving  an  exhortation  after  sermon.  Thus  three  weeks 
quickly  passed,  when  my  parents,  meeting  rae  at  the  Ben- 
ton Quarterly  3Ieeting,  in  Phelps,  desired  my  immediate  re- 
turn. Elders  Dean  and  Fowler,  after  some  entreaty,  obtained  their 
leave  for  my  attendance  at  an  extra  Quarterly  Meeting  in  Ontario. 
My  parents  gave  me  liberty  to  accompany  Elder  Dean  to  several 
other  places  also,  provided  I  should  first  return  with  them.  Ac- 
cordingly I  returned  home,  and  after  a  stay  of  two  days,  I  lefl  on 
Wednesday  for  Ontario,  forty  miles  distant.  A  deep  snow  had 
fallen,  which  was  much  drifted,  and  the  weather  was  extremely 
cold,  insomuch  that  few  ventured  from  their  firesides.  After  wad- 
ing through  the  snow  thirteen  miles,  and  suffering  considerably,  I 
found  my  toes  were  frozen,  and  consequently  proceeded  no  farther 
till  the  next  day.*  Arriving  at  Ontario,  I  was  glad  to  meet  Eld- 
ers Dean  and  Fowler.  At  this  meeting  some  refreshing  was  en- 
joyed, and  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  give  me  freedom  while  speaking 
in  his  name.  After  its  close.  Elder  Dean  took  me  w^ith  him  to 
Benton,  Milo,  and  Poultney.  Li  the  latter  )lace,  the  power  of 
Ck)d  was  manifest  in  our  meeting.  One  cr  1  aloud  for  mercy, 
ajid  soon  after  professed  to  find  i)ardon.  (  hers  were  seriously 
affected,  but  suffered  the  enemy  to  catch  away  the  seed  that  was 
sown  in  their  hearts. 

Returning  to  Benton,  I  attended  a  few  meetings.  During  this 
poriod,  one  day  when  the  rain  and  snow  were  descending  on 
the  earth,  while  at  the  house  of  Elder  Dean,  I  felt  the  first  direct 
impulse  as  if  from  Heaven,  "  Go  thou  and  preach  the  gospel." 
I'^very  surrounding  object  now  assumed  a  mournful  aspect ;    and 

^  Aaerwards,   I  heard  of  uine   persons,  who,  on  this  day,  were  froeen  to  death  at  dlf- 

f<  rent  placcB  in  this  seotloii. 


28 


MEMOIRS    OF 


retiring  immediately  to  a  wood  on  the  shore  of  Seneca  lake,  half  a 
mile  from  any  house,  T  caat  myself  upon  the  beach,  where  the  icst- 
le^s  waves  uttered  a  hoarse  murmur  on  one  side,  and  the  bleak 
winds  rustled  in  the  forest  on  the  other.  Raising  a  tearful  eye  to 
Heaven,  I  exclaimed,  "  O  my  God,  is  this  truly  from  thee  ?  an<i 
must  I,  an  ignorant  child,  go  and  preach  thy  gospel  ?"  AfU-r 
weeping  awhile  upon  the  ground,  I  arose  and  (jucried  thus  with 
myself;  "  Can  it  be,  that  God  will  pass  by  the  learned,  the  wise^ 
the  experienced,  and  choose  a  child  o'i  fifteen  years  to  preach  the 
gospel  ?"  When  about  to  answer  in  the  negative,  I  cast  my  eyes 
eastward  Jis  I  arose,  and  in  an  instant,  by  impression,  saw  myself 
a  friendless  child,  running  to  and  fro  in  the  earth  to  warn  the 
wicked  of  their  danger.  From  these  impressions,  I  began  to  gath- 
er that  God  would  put  me  into  his  vineyard,  and  that  the  time 
was  at  hand.  A  view  of  leaving  parental  care,  the  society  of 
home,  of  wandering  in  a  land  of  strangers,  while  yet  but  a  child, 
of  facing  the  bleak  storais,  and  enduring  the  fatigues  of  journey- 
ing oft,  and  of  the  trials  and  persecutions  that  awaited  me,  now 
rushed  upon  my  soul,  overpowered  my  feelings,  and  constrained 
me  to  weep  aloud.  After  this  burst  of  grief  had  a  little  abated,  I 
said,  "  Lord,  I  am  a  child,  how  can  I  preach  ?"  and  walking  over 
the  water  on  a  fallen  tree,  I  gazed  therein,  and  thought,  how 
pleasant  would  be  a  watery  tomb,  if  it  might  hide  me  from  a  life 
of  exile.  A*  sweet  voice  whispered,  "  My  grace  is  sufficient  for 
thee.  Out  of  the  mouths  of  babes  and  sucklings,  I  have  perfect- 
ed praise."  Duty  was  made  plain ;  I  consented  to  walk  in  the 
path  of  obedience,  and  peace  of  soul  ensued. 

On  my  return  to  Junius,  finding  my  parents  unwilling  to  give 
me  permission  to  leave  them  again,  I  related  to  them  my  exer- 
cise of  mind,  and  impression  of  the  duty  God  required  of  me  ;  and 
added,  if  they  thought  it  would  be  right  to  keep  me  at  home,  they 
would  be  accountable,  and  my  conscience  would  be  clear  in  the 
sight  of  Heaven.  They  thought  they  should  be  justifiable  in  thus 
doing,  and  told  me  my  Labor  was  so  much  needed,  they  could  not 
spare  me.  I  returned  to  my  former  avocations,  but  nature  seem- 
ed clothed  with  solemnity ;  the  concerns  of  earth  seemed  of  little 
moment ;  the  hapless  children  of  men,  sinking  to  wo  by  unbelief, 
were  constantly  presented  to  my  view.  Day  and  night  I  wept  and 
mourned  for  them  at  mercy's  altar.  Sleep  often  fled  my  pillow, 
while  it  was  bedewed  with  tears. 

One  evening,  after  retiring  to  rest,  a  sense  of  the  state  of  the 
wicked  rolled  upon  my  mind ;  and  a  little  after  midnight,  I  retired 
to  the  lonely  forest,  and  there  prostrated  myself  on  the  snow.  Du- 
ty called  me  to  go  out  into  the  world,  and  warn  my  fellow  crea- 
tures to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come ;  to  proclaim  the  glad  tidings 


J 
1 


^Wm^Vs 


n  lake,  half  a 
Ijoro  the  rest- 
iid  tlie  hieak 
3arful  eye  to 

thee?    and 
•el?"     AfU'r 
d  thus  with 
1,  the    wise,. 
)  preacli  the 
ist  my  eyes 
saw   myself 
)  warn   the 
?an  to  gath- 
at  the   time 

society   of 
ut  a  child, 
of  journey- 
1  me,  now 
constrained 
e  abated,  I 
Jking  over 
uglit,   liow 
from  a  life 
Kcient  for 
e   perfect- 
Ik   in  the 

g  to  give 
my  exer- 

me  ;  and 
ome,  they 
ar  in  the 
le  in  thus 
could  not 
S(iem- 

of  little 

unbelief, 
wept  and 
y  pillow, 


I>AV1D    MARKS. 


29 


re 


of  salvation,  "the  acceptable  year  of  the  Lord,  and  the  day  of  von- 
l^eance  of  our  God."  Again,  a  view  of  the  storms  of  opposition 
and  persecution  that  awaited  me,  was  suddenly  presented,  together 
with  the  painful  scene  of  leaving  the  tender  care  of  those  dear 
jtiirciits,  who  from  the  days  of  iniancy  had  guided  the  steps  of  n\y 
chiMliood,  and  checked  its  waywardness.  My  beloved  brothers 
}<nd  dear  sister  clung  to  my  aifections.  I  recollected  my  scanty 
cflucation,  having  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  a  school  only  ten 
ujonths ;  and  had  to  reflect  on  my  situation,  destitute  even  of  con- 
venient raiment.  I  thought,  surely  men  will  despise  my  youth 
a-  well  as  my  counsel,  and  the  truth  will  be  disgi'aced.  Yet  the 
path  in  which  God  was  calling  me  to  walk,  was  made  plain  ;  and 
in  obedience  alone  was  peace.  Clay  had  been  used  to  open  the 
eyes  of  the  blind,  and  the  power  of  God  Avas  still  the  same.  Ke- 
signing  myself  to  his  will,  my  heart  was  encouraged,  and  I  desired 
the  Lord  to  open  the  way,  tliat  my  whole  time  might  be  devoted 
to  warn  the  unconverted,  and  point  them  to  the  Lamb  of  God ; 
and  I  believed  that  I  should  bear  patiently  their  abuse,  contempt, 
and  reproach.  These  exercises  of  mind  continued  and  increased, 
while  sorrow  was  depicted  on  my  countenance.  In  my  sleeping 
and  waking  moments,  I  felt  that  the  blood  of  souls  would  be  re- 
«[uired  at  my  hand,  and  that  '  wo'  w^ould  be  mine,  if  I  preached 
not  the  gospel. 

One  day  while  cutting  trees  in  the  wood,  I  became  almost  lost  to 
all  sense  of  my  labor,  and  frequently  sat  down,  and  w^ept  for  the 
miseries  that  awaited  the  ungodly.  My  father,  observing  this, 
called  me  to  the  house.  Endeavoring  to  conceal  my  grief,  I  obey- 
ed his  call  without  any  suspicion  of  his  motive.  Giving  me  a 
chair,  he  asked  me  to  sit  down.  This  unusual  manner  excited  my 
surprise  ;  I  observed  both  Ms  countenance  and  my  mother's  were 
sad,  and  they  apjieared  to  have  been  weeping.  With  an  agitated 
>  oice,  my  father  said  tenderly,  "  My  son,  why  have  you  been  weep- 
ing ?"  Till  now,  I  had  not  thought  my  grief  had  been  discover- 
ed ;  but  after  a  pause,  I  answered  :  "  The  Lord  is  calling  me  to 
warn  poor  perishing  sinners  of  their  danger,  but  I  cannot  go,  for 
my  parents  are  unwilling."  They  bui-st  into  tears,  and  my  father 
said,  "  My  son,  you  may  go.  For  some  time  we  have  felt  we 
were  like  Pharaoh,  who  would  not  let  the  children  of  Israel  go  to 
wcu'ship  God  in  the  wilderness.  We  give  you  your  time,  and  will 
no  longer  detain  you."  My  feelings  were  overpowered.  Our 
tears  mingled  together,  and  I  thanked  God. 

At  this  time  a  great  revival  was  progressing  in  Brutus  and  Ca- 
millas, twenty  miles  from  Junius.    Feeling  anxious  to  see  this  work, 
and  labor  in  it  according  to  my  ability,  I  left  home,   Avalked  fifteen 
miles  to  Bnitus,  and  spent  the  night  among  strangers,  who   were 
3* 


80 


MEMOIRS    OF 


[    f, 


lit 


m 


kind.  The  next  day,  understanding  Elder  E.  Shaw  would  preach 
and  baptize  about  four  miles  from  the  j)lace  of*  my  lodging,  I  went 
to  his  meeting.  I  knew  no  difference  among  Christians,  still  I 
closely  watched  all  that  passed,  felt  much  interested,  and  thotight 
the  countenances  of  the  peo])le  sIiowcmI  who  among  them  were"  the 
followers  of  the  Lamb.  After  preaching,  several  spoke  of  the 
things  God  had  done  for  them,  and  it  seemed  that  I  was  in  my  fa- 
ther's family.  Standing  upon  a  bench  in  order  to  see  the  assem- 
bly, I  exhorted  them  a  few  moments,  and  remarked,  that  as  tiie 
antediluvians  were  disobedient,  while  the  ark  was  prei>aring,  and 
tiie  flood  destroyed  them  ;  so  if  they  in  this  revival,  and  in  this 
life,  were  indifferent,  the  Lord  would  send  a  storm  of  fire,  and  de- 
stroy them  in  like  manner.  I  enjoyed  much  freedom,  and  it  ])leas- 
ed  the  Lord  to  touch  the  a:.sembly.  After  meeting,  many  si)okc 
with  me,  invited  me  to  their  houses,  and  to  attend  different  meet- 
ings, so  that  I  no  more  felt  as  a  stranger  or  wanted  an  open  door. 
At  the  conclusion.  Elder  Shaw  baptized  eleven,  who  came  out  of 
the  stream,  apj)arently  very  hapjjy.  and  some  of  them  shouted  for 
joy.  The  evening  was  spent  in  a  prayer  meeting  that  continued 
nearly  all  night,  in  which  three  i)rofessed  to  be  converted. 

Several  days  following  were  spent  in  Brutus,  atten<ling  prayer, 
conference,  and  preaching  meetings,  and  visiting  fiunilies.  I  em- 
braced every  opportunity  of  testifying  to  all,  small  and  great,  rich 
and  i)Oor,  both  publicly  and  from  house  to  house,  repentance  ti»- 
ward  God  and  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Some  were  awak- 
ened, and  professed  to  obtain  reconciliation  with  God.  In  one  of 
my  visits  at  a  public  house,  I  desired  to  pray  with  the  family,  but 
was  denied ;  then  I  requested  the  privilege  of  praying  in  the  bai*- 
room,  where  the  traveller  is  allowed  to  swear  without  asking  leave, 
but  this  also  was  denied.  Reflecting  that  the  street  was  free,  and  ob- 
serving there  would  be  liberty  there,  I  went  out  and  kneeled  down 
before  the  house,  and  besought  the  Lord  to  have  mercy  on  this 
fiimily.  In  the  meantime,  I  was  afterward  informed,  the  landlord 
took  a  horse- whip,  and  came  out  to  drive  me  away  from  prayer, 
and  whip  me  from  the  phice  ;  but  meeting  a  young  man  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  at  his  door,  who  had  just  commenced  preach- 
ing, he  seized  him  by  the  collar,  and  said,  "  You  rascal,  why  ha\ c 
you  sent  that  boy  here  to  pray  ?"  The  young  man  r<?plied,  "  I 
have  not:  God  sent  him."  Before  the  dispute  ended,  I  was  visit- 
ing other  families.  Still  the  revival  pa.«sed,  and  this  family  took 
not  warning  to  forsake  their  sins,  neither  shared  they  in  the  work. 

In  that  part  of  Brutus  called  Jericho,  a  certain  young  man,  while 
I  was  exhorting  him  to  repentance,  swore  very  wickedly,  for  which 
I  told  him,  he  must  give  account  to  God.  He  raised  his  axe,  and 
bid  me,  "  Be  gone,"  swearing  if  I  said  any  more,  he  would  throw 


DAVID  MARK.-I. 


rould  preach 
f^'ing,  I  went 
Hans,  .still  I 
md  thonglit 
!in  Avcrethe 
)oke  of  tlie 
i«  in  my  i'n- 

tlie  assem- 
tliat  a.s  tiie 
[>ariiio-,  and 
find  in  this 
ro,  and  dc- 
nid  it  j)lca.s- 
lar.y  ^jtokc 
•rent  nicet- 
oi)en  door. 
:-anie  out  of 
sliouted  for 

eontimiod 
'd. 

iig  prayer, 
es.     I  oiu- 
gieat,  rich 
ntanee  to- 
'cre  awak- 
In  one  of 
imily,  but 
n  the  bar- 
ing h^a\  e. 
'(',  and  ol)- 
eled  down 

on    this 
3  landlord 

prayer, 
an  of  tlic 
d  preaeh- 
■vhy  havr 
died,    "  I 
kvas  visit - 
iiily  took 
le  work, 
an,  while 
or  Mdiich 
axe,  and 
Id  throw 


it  at  my  head.  Turning  to  go  away,  I  readied,  "  Remember  for 
all  these  things,  (lod  will  bring  thee  into  judgnu-nt."  He  appear- 
ed angry,  and  casting  down  his  axe,  took  up  a  stiek  of  wood  with 
Ixjth  hands,  and  threw  at  me.  1  wjis  then  about  a  rod  from  hiu», 
and  immediately  stopped  in  order  to  suffer  patiently  the  efteets  of 
his  wrath,  hoping  that  convietion  might  fasten  on  his  heart.  The 
stick  passed  just  over  my  head  ;  hetlu'ewa  second,  that  passed  be- 
hin<l  me  ;  a  third,  which  only  touched  my  leg  ;  a  fourth,  that  just 
niissiMi  me.  It  really  seemed  the  Lord  was  my  defence.  Not  sat- 
isfied with  these  attempts  at  abuse,  he  came  with  a  loaded  horse- 
whip, and  gave  me  a  severe  blow,  which  caused  exquisite  pain, 
and  left  its  mark  for  two  weeks.  His  father,  with  some  others, 
slopped  him,  and  prevented  any  further  violenc<s  Proceeding  a 
little  distance  on  my  way,  I  felt  grieved  at  his  awful  situation,  and 
prayed  Uod  to  have  mercy  on  his  soul.  AMiile  on  my  kness,  the 
young  man  passed  by,  and  swearing  ver}  wickedly,  loaded  me  with 
cui'ses. 

In  the  latter  part  of  my  stay  in  these  regions,  T  went  into  Ca- 
jiiillus,  and  attended  several  meetings  in  the  village  of  Elbridge. 
where  the  revival  was  progressing  powerfidly,  and  visited  consid- 
erably from  house  to  house,  praying  with  the  anxious  and  exhort- 
ing them  to  resign  every  tlung  for  Jesus'  sake.  In  the  family  of  a 
cei'tain  lawyer,  where  I  had  becm  invited,  I  enjoyed  much  freedom 
in  conversation  and  prayer.  One  of  the  daughters  was  awakened 
to  seek  the  "  pearl  of  great  price."  Shortly  afterward,  her  father 
tohl  me  that  she  had  become  discouraged,  and  invited  me  to  call 
again.  I  complied  with  his  recpiest,  and  again  prayed  with  her, 
and  she  again  renewed  her  covenant.  Soon  after  this,  she  was 
converted,  and  publicly  profc.'ssed  faith  in  Christ.  AYithin  the  cir- 
c'e  of  my  visits,  was  the  family  of  a  res])ectab!e  merchant,  who 
himself  was  a  lover  of  religion  ;  but  his  companion  was  o])posed  t4» 
the  revival.  I  requested  liberty  to  i)ray,  Avhich  was  granted  ;  and 
my  poor  heart  felt  encouraged,  when,  as  I  arose,  his  wife  was  in 
tears.  After  adding  a  few  words  of  exhortation,  I  went  out ;  the 
merchant  following,  spoke  affect ioiialely  to  me,  and  left  a  half  dol- 
lar in  my  hand.  Soon  after,  in  conijdiance  with  his  recpiest,  1  vis- 
ited them  a  second  time,  and  prayed  with  his  companion,  who 
again  seemed  affected,  but  not  fully  persuaded  to  embrace  Christ. 
Alas  I  how  many  wait  for  a  convenient  season,  to  their  own  de- 
struction. 

In  the  east  part  of  Camillus,  I  attended  several  meetings,  pass- 
ed through  some  severe  trials,  and  spent  many  solitary  hours,  feeling 
like  a  lonely  stranger  in  the  earth,  often  weeping  till  my  eyes  were 
sore.  Persecution  met  me  on  almost  every  hand  ;  some  said  the 
lad  ought  to  be  whipped  home,  &c.     At  an  evening  meeting  where 


ll 


32 


MF.MOIUS    OF 


:| 


i!M 


m  u 


Klder  Morrill  preached,  I  spoke  in  fxliortation.  After  its  close, 
no  one  invitinj^  ni<;  to  a  lod^iii;/,  I  was  left  alone  in  the  house.  Hiil 
,H<M)n  after,  Ehler  Morrill  kindly  in(iuire<l  fo'-nie,  rettn*ned,  and  took 
n\e  to  the  i)la('e  where  he  was  stayiii^r.  The  grief  and  disconraj;*'- 
nient  that  overeanie  ine,  touched  his  Ih  Mrt ;  and  taking  me  int<» 
his  laj),  Jis  he  wouhl  a  child,  he  spoke  words  of  consolation  that 
gave  n\e  relief.  I  enjoyed  much  satisfaction  in  the  revival  in 
these  towns  ;  and  notwithstanding  my  severe  trials,  my  faith  was  con- 
finned,  that  duty  called  me  to  lahor  in  the  vineyard  ot  the  Lord  ;  and 
n»y  lu'art  was  encouraged  by  the  success  with  which  God  blessed 
my  feeble  endeavors  in  the  Jiwakt'uing  and  conversion  of  a  few. 

ft  was  calculated,  that  in  Brutus,  Camillus,  and  the  adjacent 
towns,  six  or  sev<'n  hun<lred  j)rofessed  to  pass  from  d«*ath  unto  life. 
In  this  work  I  laljored  about  one  month  and  attended  forty-four 
meetings  ;  but  did  not  confine  myself  to  a  text,  or  pretend  to  ser- 
njonizr^.  When  about  to  rettn-n  home,  I  was  nnich  interested  at 
Treat  settlement,  with  Moses  Manr«)W,  a  lad  of  about  fifteen  years, 
belonging  to  the  denomination  called  Vhristhni.  lie  exhibited  much 
talent  in  public  speaking,  for  one  of  his  age,  appeared  humble,  and  de- 
desired  to  travel  with  me.  The  pro})osal  wa,s  pleasing,  for  I  believed 
he  would  make  a  good  yoke  fellow  in  the  gosnel ;  and  being  admit- 
ted as  a  companion,  on  the  17th  of  Apr 'J  1821.  he  accompanied 
me  on  my  return  to  my  parents. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Particulars  of  a  three  months'  Journei/  to  HoUund  Purchase. 

A  week  soon  i)assed  in  the  society  of  the  family  circle,  and  its 
enjoyment  was  sweet  to  my  soul.  During  this  period,  my  mother 
e()n^ersed  and  advised  much  with  me  on  such  subjects  as  she 
thought  would  be  useful ;  a  i»resentiment  seeming  fixed  in  her 
mhid,  that  she  was  enjoying  the  last  opportunity  she  should  ever 
have,  to  bestow  her  counsel.  Her  words  sunk  deep  into  my  heart, 
and,  with  thankfulness,  I  blessed  God  for  a  pious  and  affectionate 
mother.  The  passing  moments  seemed  precious,  while  I  listened 
to  the  sweet  accents  that  fell  from  her  lips,  and  endeavored  to  trea- 
sure up  the  instruction  she  was  giving  me.  Home  was  pleasant : 
l>ut  the  time  was  at  hand  that  required  my  departure. 


\J 


DAVID    MAUKH. 


88 

Tlio  church  in  Junius  hud  j^ivcn  mo  iv  letter  of  commondiilion : 
ami  tlic  morning  of  April  iO,  wjim  upjioinfcd  for  my  departure.     Jt 
liiiuiicd  a  beautiful  niorniiij;;    hut  ^ricf  Mat  heavy  on  our  luMU'ts. 
To^ft'tlier  we  bowed  al  the  altar  of  nunry,  wIhm'i;  often  in  days  that 
are  jMwt,  we  had  fidt  th<!  consolations  of  Heaven,  and  had  been 
unil<'d  to  each  other  by  ti<'s  stronger  than  those  of  natural  affection. 
My  mother,  with  u  trcnd)Iin<ij  v«)ic(%  called  on   the  name  of  the 
Lord,  and  fervently  entr<'ated,  that  his  preservinfr  power  and  choice 
blcssin}i;s  nii<^ht  attend  her  beloved  son,  just  goinj;  from  lier  care, 
pcrliiips  for  ever.     Often  she  had  pray»!<l  lor  me — and  bitter  now 
jl       was  th(!  thought,  that  this  might  be  the  last  time  I  shoidd  ever  hear 
^       her  supplications  in  my  behalf.     The  njoment  of  separation  luid 
come ;  and  giving  my  brothei*a  and  sisters  the  parting  hand,  I  pass- 
y       ed  from  the  parental  roof.     My  parents  followed  me  to  the  corner 
of  tin-  house.     The  weeping  father  then  took  me  by  the  hand,  and 
in  a  faltering  voice,  said,  "  Whenever   you  wish    to  return,   my 
house  shall  be  your  home.     God  bless  you,  my  son.     Farewell." 
My  d(!ar  mother  then  giving  me  a  dollar,  grasped  my  hand,  and 
pressed  it  affectionately.     On  casting  a  look  at  her  features,  I  saw 
tliey  were  convulsed  ;   the  big  swelling  tears  rolling  fast  from  her 
eyes,  betrayed  the  conflict  in  lier  bosom.     Ilcr  chin  ([uivered,  her 
lips  moved,  and  she  faintly  articulated,  "  Adieu  !   my  child,  adieu  ! 
The  Lord  go  with  thee."     My  spirit  almost  failed  within  me,  while 
I  witnessed  their  agonizing  emotions.     Lidding  them  farewell,  I 
sighed  adieu,  again  and  again.     But  O,  the  feelings  of  my  heart! 
Where  am  I  going?     Into  the  wide  world  ;  to  face  its  frowns  ;  en- 
dure its  taunts  and  vile  reproaches,  as  once  my  Master  did.     But, 
'^  It  is  enough  that  the  servant  be  jus  his  lord."     Coming  to  a  rise 
of  ground,  in  sight  of  my  father's  house,  I  tunicd  to  view  once 
more  the  beloved  fomis  of  those  dear  parents,  and  cast  on  them  my 
last  look.     They  were  stjinding  wliere  we  j)arted,  apparently  weep- 
ing, and  following  with  their  eyes  the  departing  child,  as   though 
anxious  to  catch  the  last  glimpse.     My  mother's  face  was  some- 
what bowed  down,  and  the  siglit  touched  again  every  t«'nder  feel- 
ing, awakening  all  my  symi)athy,  till,  in  addition  to  my^wn,  their 
■sorrow  became  my  sorrow.     I  gave  smother  look,  thinking  perhajis 
it  wjus  the  hist,  then  sighed  farewell.     The  places  where  I  had 
passed  the  scenes  of  childhood,  now  met  my  siglit,    and  seenu-d 
bound  to  my  affections  by  a  thousand  tender  associations.     But 
while  grief  was  almost  bursting  my  heart,  the  sweet  promise  of 
Christ,  contained  in  Mark  10:21),  30,  droj>ped  as  if  from  heaven  in- 
to my  soul ;  "There  is  no  man  that  hath  left  house,  or  brethren, 
or  sisters,  or  father,  or  mother,  or  wife,  or  children,  or  lands,  for 
my  sake,  and  the  gospel's,  but  he  shtdl  receive  a  hundred  fold  now 
in  this  time,  houses,  and  brethren,  and  sisters,  and  mothers,  and 


Ml 
ill 


1 1 


\i 


#' 


;  ! 


I  , 


*    y 


I 


34 


MKMOias    OP 


chiltlron,  an<l  lands  with  jH^rHOfiitioiis ;  and  in  iho  world  to  com<» 
otcniiil  life."  My  tnoiirninj";  wa^  now  tiirn«;d  into  njoicin;];,  and 
\uy  trarn  into  sonj^s  of  prai.so. 

Al'trr  \valkin;jf  twenty-one  miles,  in  company  with  the  lad  heforo 
mentione<l,  we  Ibnnd  entertainment  tor  tlu!  ni;:5ht  a  tew  niihfs  south 
ot'(f('neva,  with  a  (/oni^rejjjationalist  family,  who  were  kind.  In 
the  mornin;^  we  pro('e(Mled  to  Henlon ;  and  there  visit<'d  t'rom 
house  to  house,  <*onv(Tsin}»  with  all,  as  opportunity  pres<mt«Ml,  u|Km 
the  im[»ortanee  and  necessity  of  a  speedy  prep.aration  to  me<'t  (t«Ml. 
A  younf?  man  at  a  tavern,  whom  I  thus  counnelled,  scoffed  at  me, 
an«l  ridiculed  reli<^ion.  My  soul  was  pained,  and  fallinji^  on  my 
kiH'cs,  I  l)esou«;ht  the  f^ord  to  touch  the  heart  of  this  youni^  man 
by  his  Spirit — <;ive  him  to  hvv  the  a;^|T;ravated  nature  of  his  trans- 
gressions, an<l  to  feel  his  nt'ed  of  the  Savior.  While  thus  su])|di- 
(^tin;:!;  tlic  mercy  of  God,  the  young  man  contimicd  to  talk  in  a 
loud  tone  of  voice,  and  finally  lusked  me  to  take  some  tobacco.  IIih 
mother,  though  a  pnTfessor,  instead  of  reproving  him,  re|)rimanded 
me  sevci'cly,  for  going  altout  talking  to  people  older  than  myself. 
Afler  justifying  my  practice,  by  telling  her  1  believed  the  Lor«l  re- 
quired it  at  my  hand,  she  closed  the  conversation  with  a  remark  too 
vulgar  to  name.  Taking  leave  of  them,  I  went  on  iny  way,  sigh- 
ing for  the  evil  done  by  professoi-s,  Avho  are  destitute  of  the  mind 
that  was  in  Christ  Jesus.  Their  conduct  strengthens  the  hands  of 
the  wicktHl.  They  enter  not  into  the  kingdom  themselves,  and 
them  that  would  enter,  they  hinder. 

April  29,  Sabbath,  we  attended  a  meeting  in  Milo — in  which  I 
spake  a  few  minutes  under  considerable  embarrassment — and  after- 
ward retired  to  a  wornl  much  depressed  in  spirit,  and  sorely  ])ained 
with  doubts  and  fears,  lest  I  had  mistaken  the  path  of  duty  in  at- 
tempting to  labor  in  Zion.  Returning  to  tlie  house  of  a  friend,  and 
fin<iing  no  relief,  T  determined  to  fast  and  pray.  In  doing  this,  all 
doubts  and  gloom  were  (Ji^P<-i*i*ed,  and  my  heart  was  encouraged  to 
continue  in  the  work  of  the  Lord. 

Tuesday,  May  1 ,  I  spoke  to  n  crowded  and  solemn  audience,  and 
it  wa«s  a  a^iuson  of  rcifreshing  to  my  soul.  Meeting  an  assembly  at 
the  house  of  Deacon  Knapp,  in  AVayne,  I  spoke  from  this  text, — 
''  The  wages  of  sin  is  death ;  but  the  gift  of  Clod  is  eternal  life, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord."  The  Holy  Spirit  touched  the 
liearts  of  some,  and  many  wept.  Thursday,  in  a  meeting  on  the 
Ciist  side  of  Crooked  lake,  the  Lord  was  with  me,  and  his  Suirit  at- 
t^'uded  the  word.  After  this,  crossing  the  lake  near  Bluff  Point, 
and  walking  a  few  miles  into  Poultney,  T  spoke  to  an  assembly  ; 
but  to  me  it  was  a  barren  season,  and  the  language  of  my  heart 
was,  *  how  can  T  ])reach  the  gospel  to  a  hard-hearted  and  gainsay- 
ing people.'     Finding  an  answer,  "  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee," 


■i 


1 


« 


3 


DAVin    MAKKH. 


35 


Hd  to  come 
•joiriiig,  and 

<»  lad  hcforr 
inilcH  Hoiitli 
■«'  kind.      In 
JMih'd   from 
K*nhM|,  u|M»n 
>nu'<'t  (i(Ml. 
f>H<!(l  at  niP, 
lin<,'  on  my 
younu;  mail 
f  his  trans- 
thus  su))[)lj- 
to  talk  in  a 
)a('('o.    HiH 
■primandod 
lan  myself. 
>e  Jjonl  re- 
romark  too 
way,  sinrJi- 
f  tlio  mind 

0  hands  of 
lilves,  and 

1  which  r 
and  aflor- 
ly  pained 
uty  in  at- 
Hond,  and 

this,  all 


ura<^cd  to 


cneo,  and 
(oml)ly  at 
s  text, — 
rnal  life, 
Rhed  the 
?  on  the 
^l^rit  at- 
ff  Point, 
sembly  ; 
ly  heart 
?ainsav- 
)r  thee," 


it'. 


1 


we  w»!nt  to  the  north  part  of  Ponllney,  and  then-  Rpoko  the  word 
U)  a  f*\v,  who  heard  with  (*andor. 

Saturday,  May  /),  1  went  t<»  .hTusah-m,  and  ;;av('  out  appoint- 
monls  for  the  next  day.  Sahbath  niorning,  at  l\\v  hour  of  nine,  w»' 
met  for  worship  on  the  west  hill  in  .IcrusaUin.  Tlu:  ansindjly  wa.x 
larj^c,  iind  it  wiw  a  tinn^  of  Kniiuunu<  I's  |K)wer:    srvrral  Wfpt,  and 


inccird  lor 


1  fi 


pray 


TS.      At  one  o'clock,  1*.  M.,  the  Lord  it«Hi?*ted  mc 


in  speaking  to  a  crowthtd  and  solemn  iiKsembly  on  the  <>iLit  hill  of 
.Jerusahin:  two  manifcHted  a  rcsolutl<m  to  seek  the  Lord.  At 
thn'i'  o'chu'k,  1*.  M.,  I  nu't  another  con«i;regation  in  tht;  north  part 
of  the  town,  and  enjoyed  the  presence  of  my  Master.  ILire,  M. 
Maiirow  left  me  suddeidy,  without  assij^ninj^  any  reiuson.  At  six 
in  the  ev«'nin}?,  I  attended  a  fourth  ineetiii}?  in  Middlesex,  and  the 
next  day  walkcil  twelv*-  mih's,  and  attended  two  mcetin;];s.  The 
day  fullowin^,  I  visited  Canandai}^ua ;  an<l  me(!tin<!;  tlu;  Kpiseopa- 
lian  minister  in  the  street,  stated  to  him  my  desire  to  speak  to  the 
jjoople  eoncerninj?  the  thmgs  of  eternity.  "What!"  sai<l  he,  "are 
you  prea<hin}»?  You  are  not  capable  of  preaching?.  You  cannot 
pntaeli.  We  put  youn^jf  pjifts  to  h'arniu}^,  till  theiy  become  men," 
He  then  lefl  me.  Alter  seveial  fruithjss  attempts  to  find  a  house 
open  for  meetiufr,  amonj^  professed  Christians,  1  turned  to  "  Cesar's 
kin{^<lonj,"  and  without  dillicully  obtained  leave  to  hold  a  meeting 
in  the  court  house.  About  one  hundred  assembled.  While  stating 
in  my  introduction,  the  reason  of  my  leaving  home,  and  the  partic- 
ular ex<*nuse8  of  my  mind  concerning  public  speaking,  a  gentle- 
man in  the  jurors'  seat,  looked  me  steadfaatly  in  the  face,  and  saiti, 
'*  Young  man,  we  came  to  hear  you  preach;  not  to  hear  your  ex- 
perience. Jf  you  are  going  to  preach,  we  wish  you  to  proceed." 
This  somewhat  confused  mc ;  however  I  named  a  text,  and  pro- 
ceeded with  some  embarrassment.  About  twenty  hjft  the  assembly 
before  the  conclusion  of  the  discourse.  At  the  close  of  the  meet- 
ing, one  gentleman  gave  me  half  a  dollar,  and  anotlnu*,  a  small 
piece.  During  my  discourse,  I  observed  two  men  without  the  court 
house  in  earnest  conversation,  and  pointing  towards  me;  and  when 
passing  the  jail,  a  woman  came  to  the  door,  and  asked  me  a  num- 
ber of  (juestions  concerning  my  manner  of  life.  After  proceeding 
a  little  distance,  I  saw  a  man  leave  the  jail,  and  come  after  me  in  a 
wagon  with  much  speed.  These  circumst^uices,  together  with  that 
of  njaiiy  having  left  the  meeting,  induced  me  to  think  they  might 
possibly  look  on  me  with  suspicion,  and  wish  to  put  me  in  jail. 
The  man  overtook  me,  said  he  supposed  I  was  a  stranger,  and  in- 
vited me  to  go  homo  with  him.  As  it  was  three  miles  from  my 
purposed  route,  it  was  after  considerable  solicitation  that  I  retuin- 
ed.     lie  was  a  Calvinistic  Baptist,  and  treated  me  as  a  friend. 


«6' 


W3- 


%: 


86 


MEMOIRS    Of 


M 


;  f 


u  i 


:  i 


The  little  good  effect  apparent  from  my  last  meeting,  and  the 
contempt  manifested  at  my  endeavvirs  to  warn  the  wicked,  bore 
heavily  upon  me.  In  addition  to  this,  my  friend  told  me,  he  thought 
my  learning  was  not  sufhcient  to  make  my  public  fuldresses  gener- 
ally interesting ;  and  advised  me  to  go  home  and  stay,  till  1  should 
be  of  age,  or  at  least  two  or  three  years.  I  now  felt  a  deeper  lone- 
liness than  I  had  ever  before  ex{)crienced.  Though  entreated,  1 
could  not  eat,  but  retired  to  my  lodging,  where  sleep  was  a  stran- 
ger, and  there  gave  vent  to  my  grief,  till  my  eyes  were  sore  witli 
weeping.  In  the  morning  my  grief  was  not  assuaged,  nor  the  foun- 
tain of  my  tears  drained.  1  ate  no  breakfast,  but  went  my  way 
before  the  sun  rose,  passed  through  the  village  of  Canandaigua  into 
Gorham,  and  there  turned  aside  in  a  wood,  and  laid  myself  on  the 
earth.  My  sorrow  seemed  greater  than  I  could  bear;  and  life 
seemed  such  a  burden,  that  1  was  tempted  to  starve  myself  As 
this  would  be  sin,  I  dared  nbt  resolve, — but  thought,  could  I  go 
home,  gladly  would  I  haste  to  parental  care.  Beneath  the  shady 
boughs  of  Gorham,  I  mourned,  somewhat  like  Jonah  under  the 
gourd,  and  desired  death,  unless  my  faith  and  hope  should  be  in- 
crefised ;  then  lifting  my  eyes  toward  heaven,  I  said,  '  O  Lord, 
why  hast  thou  sent  me,  a  child,  when  men  of  experience  might  go  ? 
Why  hast  thou  called  an  ignorant  youth,  and  left  the  learned  at 
home  ?  I  am  had  in  derision,  sind  mocked  by  the  enemies  of  the 
cross.'  Two  ways  appeared  ;  either  to  go  home,  and  renounce  all 
ideas  of  ever  attempting  to  preach  again,  and  thus  please  the  great- 
er part  of  my  acquaintance,  many  of  my  brethren,  and  my  natural 
mind — or  to  continue  laboring  in  the  vineyard,  and  face  a  storm  of 
opposition.  Feeling  that  necessity  was  laid  upon  me,  that  wo  would 
be  mine  if  I  preached  not  the  gospel,  I  dared  not  disobey.  Leav- 
ing the  wood,  I  went  to  a  house,  where  the  people  were  kind. 
They  gave  me  some  food,  and  had  a  meeting  notified  in  their  vi- 
cinity. The  next  day,  I  attended  three  meetings ;  and  the  day  fol- 
lowing, walked  twenty-five  miles  to  Lyons,  where  the  Benton  Quar- 
terly Meeting  was  to  be  held  the  12th  and  13th  of  May. 

Here  I  received  a  letter  from  my  mother.  It  brought  heavy  ti- 
dings, and  a  trial  of  which  I  had  not  thought.  My  father's  house 
was  again  burned  with  all  its  contents.  This  ti-ying  scene  happen- 
ed only  the  Wednesday  previous.  My  parents  desired  me  to  re- 
turn and  visit  them  in  their  affliction,  provided  I  could  have  per- 
mission from  the  Lord.  Retiring  to  a  field  alone,  solitude  seemed 
written  on  all  below.  I  thought  of  the  continued  series  of  misfor- 
tunes that  had  afflicted  my  dear  parents,  till  all  my  sympathies 
were  awakened.  Reading  the  letter  again  and  again,  I  laid  the 
case  before  the  Lord,  when  Luke  9:59,  "  Lord,  suffer  me  first  to 
go  and  bury  my  father,"   occurred  to  my  recollection ;  and  our 


DAVID   MARKS. 


37 


ting,  and  tho 
wicked,  bore 
e,  he  thought 
resses  gener- 
,  till  I  should 
deeper  lone- 
entreated,  1 
was  a  stran- 
re  sore  with 
lor  the  foun- 
;nt  my  way 
ndaigua  into 
yself  on  the 
ir;    and  Me 
myself.     As 
could  I  go 
h  the  shady 
h  under  the 
hould  be  in- 
1,  'OLord, 

2  might  go  ? 
learned  at 

mies  of  the 
[enounce  all 

3  the  great- 
my  natural 

a  storm  of 
t  wo  would 
'J.  Leav- 
vere  kind, 
their  vi- 
le  day  foJ- 
ton  Quar- 

heavy  ti- 
er's house 

happen- 
ne  to  re- 
iave  per- 
e  seemed 
f  misfor- 
mpathies 

laid  the 
i  first  to 
and  our 


Lord's  answer,  "  Let  the  dead  bury  their  dead,  but  go  thou  and 
preach  the  kingdom  of  God,"  kept  passing  through  my  mind.  Fi- 
nally, concluding  I  could  do  but  little  good  should  I  return,  and 
believing  the  Lord  still  called  me  to  go  west,  I  wrote  to  my  par- 
ents, stating  my  sympathy  for  them,  and  conviction  of  duty,  and 
sent  back  the  dollar  that  my  mother  gave  me  on  the  moniing  of 
our  separation. 

Monday,  leaving  for  the  Holland  Purchase,  I  walked  nine  miles 
and  held  two  meetings,  in  which  some  were  awakened,  who  short- 
ly professed  to  find  Jesus.     The  two  following  days  were  spent  in 
Ontario,  where  I  attended  three  meetings,  and  enjoyed  peace  and 
liberty.     Continuing  my  journey  I  crossed  the  Genesee  river,  and 
in  the  afternoon  of  Friday,  arrived  at  Eld.  Jonathan  N.  Ilinkley's, 
in  Ilinckleyville.     He  had  gone  to  the  Bethany  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing, which  was  to  commence  in  Attica  the  next  day.     I  stated  that 
I  was  going  to  that  meeting,  and  requested  something  to  eat.    Sis- 
ter Hinckley  inquired  whence  I  came,  the  object  of  my  journey, 
&c.      Being  answered,  she  said  within  herself,  as  she  afterward 
infoi-med  me,  '  A  likely  story,  that  you,  a  little  boy,  have  come 
more  than  a  hundred  miles  on  foot  to  attend  a  Quai'terly  Meeting !' 
Thus  she  concluded,  I  had  only  said  this  to  get  something  to  eat, 
which  she  gave  me,  and  let  me  go  my  way.     I  walked  'hat  even- 
ing fifteen  miles,  to  Byron,  and  about  eleven  o'clock,  called  at  bro. 
Gilman's,  and  found  all  had  retired  to  rest.     One  arose,  however, 
unbolted  the  door,  and  gave  me  admission.     After  hearing  my  in- 
troduction, he  conducted  me  to  the  cupboard,  and  then  to  a  lodging 
with  Elder  Hinckley,  who  tarried  in  the  house  that  night.     This 
was  my  first  interview  with  him ;    and  the  next  morning,  though 
a  stranger,  he  pitied  my  weariness,  and  insisted  that  I  should  ride 
on  his  beast  a  part  of  the  way  to  Attica,  which  was  twenty-one 
miles. 

At  one  o'clock,  P.  M.,  we  entered  the  meeting,  and  Eld.  Hinck- 
ley shortly  after  arose  on  the  stand,  looked  around  on  the  assem- 
bly with  a  piercing  eye,  and  then  said :  "  I  was  not  coming  to  this 
place.  I  was  going  to  Clarkson.  But  the  Lord  God  said  to  me, 
'Attica — Attica — Attica;'  and  I  am  here,  thank  God."  He  then 
sat  down.  Feeling  the  cold  chills  pass  over  me,  I  looked  around 
and  saw  tears  starting  from  many  eyes.  About  one  minute  after, 
he  arose  again  and  said :  "  It  was  in  the  north  country,  in  the  month 
of  April,  when  the  snow  was  several  feet  deep  on  the  earth,  that 
the  Lord  God  found  Jonathan,  the  atheist,  and  converted  his  soul 
—and  the  leafless  trees  stretched  their  arms  toward  heaven  and 
praised  God."  Again,  he  took  his  seat ;  but  such  was  the  power 
that  attended  these  words,  that  nearly  the  whole  assembly  were  in 
tears.    The  preaching  that  followed  was  interesting  and  refresh- 


38 


MEMOIRS    OP 


ing. 


f! 


Here  I  saw  several  ministers  for  the  first  time,  some  of  whom 
treated  me  aflTectionately ;  others,  thou<^h  they  used  me  tenderly, 
gave  me  to  understand,  they  were  doubtful  of  my  being  in  the  path 
of  duty,  as  they  feared  I  had  run  without  being  sent.  Again  I  fell 
into  a  sore  trial.  For  the  opinion  of  preachers  having  much  in- 
fluence with  me,  T  thought  it  possible  that  I  might  have  been  mis- 
taken respecting  duty.  The  query  Avas  presented  to  me,  "  How 
call  it  be,  that  the  Lord  has  called  you  to  labor  in  his  vineyard, 
when  so  many  good  people  believe  it  not  ?"  Retiring  to  a  vale,  I 
walked  on  the  banks  of  the  Tonewanta,  and  my  spirit  sunk  within 
me  ;  now  again  I  became  weary  of  my  life — and  had  strong  temp- 
tations to  put  a  period  to  it.  Could  I  have  felt  liberty  from  the 
Lord  to  return  home,  my  trial  would  have  ceased ;  but  this  I  felt 
forbidden  to  do.  A  monitor  within  strengthened  me  to  resist 
temptation,  and  continue  in  the  work ;  for  it  appeared  that  I  must 
know  my  duty  for  myself;  and  that,  as  another  could  not  discharge 
it,  so  another  could  not  decide  upon  a  case,  that  was  wholly  be- 
tween God  and  my  own  soul.  T  returned  to  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing about  the  time  it  closed,  and  spoke  to  those  who  would  stay  to 
hear. 

Monday,  I  held  two  meetings, — in  one  of  which,  some  appeai'ed 
to  be  deeply  convicted  of  their  lost  condition.  On  the  day  follow- 
ing, I  attended  three  meetings :  in  one  of  these,  after  soliciting  those 
who  desired  religion,  to  rise — and  promising  that  I  would  try  to 
pray  for  them,  twenty  stood  up  in  the  assembly ;  and  several  of 
them  by  sighs  and  tears,  confessed  the  danger  they  were  in,  by  liv- 
ing in  sin. 

Wednesday,  I  spoke  to  an  assembly  in  Bennington.  The  Spirit 
of  the  Lord  was  present,  to  the  joy  of  saints  and  the  conviction  of 
sinners.  At  eight  the  next  morning,  agreeably  to  appointment,  I 
met  a  congregation  in  Attica.  Six  were  awakened  to  view  their 
lost  condition,  and  promised  to  seek  the  Savior.  At  evening  in  the 
same  neighborhood,  I  held  a  meeting  that  continued  till  after  three 
o'clock  in  the  morning.  The  Spirit  of  God  was  manifest  in  a  mar- 
vellous manner.  Saints  rejoiced  and  shouted  aloud  for  joy — sin- 
ners fell  to  the  floor,  wept  and  cried  aloud  for  mercy.  Having  nev- 
er witnessed  such  a  scene  before,  I  said,  rashly,  within  myself,  'it 
is  confusion ;'  and  this  Scripture,  "  Our  God  is  not  the  author  of 
confusion,"  came  to  my  recollection ;  and  in  my  heart  I  condemn- 
ed the  work,  till  several  of  the  awakened  spoke  forth  the  praises  of 
God,  before  my  eyes,  and  told  what  the  Lord  had  done  for  their 
souls.  Then,  after  considering  the  subject  again,  and  the  accounts 
in  sacred  vrrit  of  certain  meetings,  where  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
was  powerfully  manifested,  (see  Ezra  13:12,  13.  Acts  2:13 — 87,) 
I  could  but  be  convinced  it  was  the  work  of  Israel's  God. 


»^ 


DAVID    MARKS. 


39 


le  of  whom 
le  tenderly, 
in  the  path 
/Vgain  I  fell 
5  much  in- 
e  been  mis- 
me,  "  How 
is  vineyard, 
o  a  vale,  I 
lUnk  witliin 
trong  temp- 
y  from  the 
this  I  felt 
e  to  resist 
that  I  must 
►t  discharge 
wholly  be- 
erly  Meet- 
>uld  stay  to 

e  appeai'ed 
day  follow- 
citing  those 
ould  try  to 
several  of 
in,  by  liv- 

The  Spirit 
>nviction  of 
intment,  I 
view  their 
ning  in  the 
after  three 
in  a  mar- 
joy— sin- 
aving  nev- 
myself,  *it 
author  of 
condemn- 
praises  of 
for  their 
!  accounts 
the  Lord 
:13— 87,) 


w 


I  labored  in  Attica  and  Bennington  ten  days,  and  attended 
twelve  meetings ;  in  these,  several  bowed  before  the  Lord  for  the 
first  time,  and  called  upon  his  name.  Seven  professed  to  be  brought 
into  the  fold  of  Jesus,  and  several  wanderers  were  reclaimed.  Oh 
how  glad  was  my  heart,  when  the  Lord  looked  upon  the  afflictions 
of  Davil,  and  granted  him  the  desire  of  his  soul,  in  permitting  his 
eyes  to  see  the  salvatiun  of  God.  These  few  souls,  which  the  Lord 
gave  me,  were  dear  to  my  heart,  even  as  children,  and  appeared 
as  seals  and  witnesses,  that  lie  had  commissioned  me  to  declare  his 
word  to  the  sons  of  men.  I  next  went  to  Sheldon,  and  attended 
several  meetings,  in  one  of  which,  nearly  twenty  came  forward  for 
prayers,  and  two  were  soon  brought  to  rejoice  in  the  liberty  of  the 
sons  of  God. 

Sunday,  May  27, 1  attended  six  meetings  ;  two  in  Sheldon,  one 
in  Bennington,  and  three  in  Attica.  The  congregations  were  large 
and  attentive.  No  unusual  occurrence  marked  these  meetings,  yet 
it  was  believed  good  was  done.  The  next  day  I  travelled  twenty- 
five  miles  and  preached  twice.  The  second  meeting  was  in  Attica, 
and  continued  till  two  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Six  happy  converts 
were  present,  and  we  sat  together  in  a  heavenly  place  in  Christ. 
Yea,  many  could  say, 

"  My  willing  soul  would  stny  in  such  a  frame  as  this, 
And  sit,  and  sing  ituelf  away  to  everlasting  bliss." 

Tuesday,  after  travelling  fifteen  miles,  I  attended  one  meeting,— 
and  the  day  following,  preached  three  times.  The  Lord  was  pres- 
ent in  the  assemblies,  and  many  rejoiced  in  bright  hopes  of  a  happy 
immortality. 

Thursday,  I  walked  twelve  miles,  and  held  three  meetings ;  and 
the  next  day  preached  in  the  north  part  of  Sheldon.  The  day  fol- 
lowing, I  went  to  China,  where  the  Erie  Quarterly  Meeting  was 
in  "Session.  Elders  Richard  M.  Carey  and  Jeremiah  Folsom  were 
present ;  the  preaching  and  other  exercises  were  spiritual  and  in- 
teresting. 

One  circumstance  at  this  meeting  greatly  affected  me.  Having 
retired  from  the  assembly  a  small  distance,  I  heard  a  very  singular 
sound  in  the  barn  where  they  were  convened,  that  excited  anxiety 
and  alarm.  I  returned  in  haste ;  and  on  entering  the  meeting, 
saw  a  young  man  standing  before  the  assembly  in  a  flood  of  tears ; 
who,  by  signs  and  gestures,  was  attempting  to  describe  the  joys  of 
heaven,  and  the  horrors  of  hell.  The  sound  of  his  voice  was  inar- 
ticulate, but  varied  with  his  signs  to  express  happiness  and  misery. 
The  whole  assembly  was  deeply  affected ;  to  my  astonishment,  I 
for^Std  that  this  young  man,  though  deaf  and  dumb,  had  opened  his 
mouth  to  persuade  the  wicked  from  the  way  to  hell.     He  had  late- 


^S^ 


40 


MEMOIRS    OF 


u  i 


<    d 


\y  expcrlencod  a  hope  in  God,  and  related  his  experience  by  sir/ns  ; 
showing  liis  f(;ars  of  punishment  by  looking  at  the  fire,  and  then 
pointing  downward ;  and  his  views  of  heaven,  by  touching  things 
tliat  were  briglit,  or  of  the  color  of  gold,  and  pointing  upward.  Hv- 
desired  and  received  baptism,  and  became  a  faithful  member  of  the 
church.  Tlie  exercises  of  the  meeting  appeared  to  interest  him,  as 
much  as  any  on(5 ;  and,  though  he  could  neither  hear  words,  nor 
articulate  them,  yet  he  had  sounds  peculiar  to  exhortation,  prayer 
and  sinking,  accompanied  by  suitable  gestures.  I  understood  his 
public  exercises  had  been  blessed  to  the  conversion  of  several. 
This  was  loud  preaching,  and  many  said,  "  If  the  Lord  hath  open- 
ed the  mouth  of  the  dumb,  it  is  time  for  us,  who  have  the  use  of 
speech,  to  confess  Christ  with  the  mouth  unto  salvation." 

Sunday,  June  4, 1  enjoyed  unusual  freedom  in  speaking  to  an  as- 
sembly in  Concord.  The  day  following,  I  went  to  Boston,  Erie 
county,  N.  Y.,  and  the  next  morning,  at  the  hour  of  six,  spoke  to  a 
crowded  congregation,  where  my  soul  was  led  out  into  the  libarty 
of  the  gospel.  Six  ministers  were  present ;  the  hearts  of  the  peo- 
ple seemed  melted  by  the  presence  of  the  God  of  Sabbaoth ;  and  it 
was  a  time  that  doubtless  will  be  remembered  in  eternity.  I  went 
to  Nichol's  settlement,  and  in  the  early  part  of  the  evening  gave  out 
an  appointment.  The  house  was  soon  filled,  and  we  enjoyed  a 
solemn  waiting  before  God.  Convicting  power  touched  the  hearts 
of  some,  who,  before  the  exercises  closed,  desired  the  prayers  of 
Christians.  In  the  morning,  I  held  another  meeting  at  the  same 
place,  and  several  covenanted  to  kneel  and  pray  thrice  a  day,  for 
four  weeks.  The  day  following,  I  preached  in  Zoar ;  this  w^as  a 
solemn,  refreshing  season,  and  at  the  close  a  number  promised  to 
seek  the  Savior.  Saturday,  I  travelled  fifteen  miles,  and  held  two 
meetings,  in  which  twenty-five  manifested  their  desire  for  the  "  one 
thing  needful."  One  or  two  of  the  number  soon  professed  to  find 
pardon  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 

Sabbath  morning,  June  10,  after  speaking  to  an  assembly  in  a 
barn,  at  the  hour  of  seven,  I  "'ent  to  Zoar,  Avhere  a  large  congre- 
gation was  present  •  and  in  declaring  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation, 
enjoyed  much  freedom.  Here  five  solemnly  covenanted  to  kneel 
and  pray  twice  a  day,  for  the  four  weeks  ensuing.  Afler  preach- 
ing again  in  Nichol's  settlement,  I  rode  ten  miles  to  Boston,  and 
found  a  numerous  assembly,  who  had  come  out  to  hear  the  "  hoy 
preacher"  the  appellation  by  which  I  was  generally  known.  The 
Lord  gave  me  confidence,  with  a  good  degree  of  his  Spirit,  and  it 
was  a  weeping  season.  Here  our  hearts  were  made  glad ;  twenty- 
five  precious  awakened  souls  came  forward,  desiring  the  prayers  of 
God's  children.  Monday,  after  walking  twenty-seven  mil<||||'  I 
preached  once.     Near  the  close  of  the  meeting,  I  invited  those  who 


DAVID   MARKS. 


41 


le  by  si'ffns ; 

e,  and  then 

filing  things 

>waril.     Ho 

niber  of  the 

rest  hull,  as 

words,  nor 

ion,  prayer 

lerstood  liis 

of  several. 

hath  open- 

the  use  of 

ng  to  an  as- 

oston,  Erie 

,  spoke  to  a 

tlie  lib3rty 

of  the  peo- 

oth ;   and  it 

:y.     I  went 

iig  gave  out 

enjoyed  a 

.  the  hearts 

prayers  of 

it  the  same 

a  day,  for 

this  was  a 

>romised  to 

d  lield  two 

1*  the  "one 

sed  to  find 

nibly  in  a 

ifi  congre- 

salvation, 

to  kneel 

r  preach- 

)ston,  and 

the  "  hoy 

wn.     The 

rit,  and  it 

twenty- 

irayers  of 

mi^gl  I 

hose  who 


felt  a  need  of  salvation,  and  desired  to  obtain  it,  to  come  forward 
and  bow  before  the  Lord,  saying  I  would  pray  for  them  ;  five  ac- 
cepted the  invitation.  After  visiting  and  preaching  in  Sheldon, 
Bennington,  and  Attica,  I  held  a  meeting  in  Pike,  in  Avhich  I  was 
publicly  opposed  by  a  Universalist,  yet  there  appeared  some  good 


signs. 


I  staid  the  night  with  a  brother  in  Christ,  whose  name  was  John- 
son. Soon  after  rising  in  the  morning,  the  form  of  my  mother  sud- 
denly appeared  to  my  view,  with  a  pallid  countenance,  and  clad  in 
the  habiliments  of  death.  Before  I  was  aware,  turning  to  the  fam- 
ily, I  said,  '  My  mother  is  dead,'  and  related  the  impression.  For 
some  time  previous,  she  had  been  in  my  thoughts  but  little,  and  the 
idea  that  it  was,  or  might  be  so,  caused  a  bitter  pang.  Though 
fears  now  troubled  me,  I  hoped  they  would  prove  groundless. 

From  Pike,  I  went  to  Centerville,  and  attended  a  meeting,  which 
was  truly  solemn.  Some  were  awakened  and  desired  to  be  re- 
membered at  the  throne  of  grace.  Sunday,  June  17,  I  preached 
to  ibur  large  congregations  in  Rushford  and  Centerville.  The 
power  of  P^mmanuel  was  present  in  each  meeting,  and  sinners 
wept  as  they  viewed  themselves  in  the  gospel  glass.  The  next  day 
I  s[)oke  the  word  to  a  solemn  audience  in  Pike ;  and  early  in  the 
following  day,  at  Six  Acre  lake.  In  the  afternoon  I  was  highly 
favored  of  the  Lord,  while  pointing  precious  souls  to  the  Friend  of 
sinners,  at  the  east  part  of  the  town. 

"Wednesday,  I  preached  in  China;  the  day  after,  walked  thir- 
teen miles  in  the  rain,  and  attended  three  meetings.  My  shoes 
were  worn  off  from  my  feet ;  and  on  reaching  the  last  appoint- 
ment in  Boston,  Erie  Co.  I  Avas  much  wearied ;  my  feet  were 
blistered,  and  so  painful,  that  I  was  obliged  to  sit  with  them  on  a 
pillow,  while  speaking  to  the  people.  But  amidst  my  privations 
and  suffeiings  for  the  cause  of  Christ,  my  heart  felt  that  more  than 
double  was  rendered,  by  seeing  one  sinner  this  evening  persuaded 
to  turn  and  live. 

On  Friday,  I  went  to  a  camp  meeting  in  Boston,  and  being  re- 
quested, preached  in  the  evening,  and  tarried  the  next  day.  On 
the  Sabbath,  feeling  constrained  by  the  love  of  Christ  and  a  sense 
of  duty,  though  my  feet  were  still  bare,  I  addressed  the  people 
from  the  stand,  and  enjoyed  good  freedom.  Ai  the  close  of  my 
discourse,  a  man  who  was  not  a  professor,  left  nem'ly  two  dollars 
in  my  hand,  and  told  me  to  purchase  a  pair  of  shoes;  but  before 
an  opportunity  presented,  a  pair  was  given  me. 

On  Monday,  I  preached  in  Buffham  settlement,  and  in  Aurora. 
In  ^e  latter  place,  a  heavenly  season  was  enjoyed ;  fifteen  awaken- 
ed WScih  promised  to  seek  the  Lord,  and  two  of  them  were  soon 
brought  to  rejoice.     The  day  following,  I  held  a  meeting  in  Wales ; 


42 


MEMOIRS    OF 


1-1 


the  next  day,  travelled  sixteen  miles,  and  preached  twice.  In  the 
latter  meeting,  two  requested  prayers.  Thursday,  after  riding 
twenty  miles,  I  preached  once ;  and  the  day  following,  attended  a 
meeting  in  Pike,  but  saw  none  persuaded  to  turn  to  God. 

Sunday  morning,  July  1,  1821,  I  went  to  Centerville.  Num- 
bers had  assembled,  and  I  felt  great  confidence  in  declaring  the 
counsel  of  Heaven.  Tliis  asseml)ly  was  said  to  be  the  largest  that 
had  ever  been  in  the  town.  In  the  after  part  of  the  day,  about 
four  himdred  met  in  Rushford,  many  having  come  between  ten  and 
fifteen  miles.  The  Lord  enabled  me  to  come  to  the  people  in  the 
fullness  of  the  blessing  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  Many  were  smitten 
by  the  sword  of  the  Spirit ;  a  revival  soon  commenced,  and,  as  I 
afterward  learned,  fifty  or  sixty  professed  to  find  Him,  of  whom 
Moses  in  the  law  and  the  prophets  did  write.  In  the  evening,  I 
preached  again  at  Centerville.  The  next  day  I  travelled  fifteen 
miles  and  held  two  meetings;  and  the  day  following  preached 
twice  in  Pike. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  Elder  Kendall,  a  Calvinistic  Baptist,  preach- 
ed at  Centerville,  and  at  the  conclusion  of  his  discourse,  I  address- 
ed the  audience.  Elder  Kendall  made  me  a  considerable  present 
of  wearing  apparel;  and  offered  to  give  $100.  toward  a  collegiate 
education,  i:)rovided  I  would  go  to  Massachusetts  and  receive  tuition 
from  one  of  his  relatives.  He  also  gave  encouragement,  that  the 
whole  expense  of  a  support  at  college  should  be  defrayed.  As  this 
would  prevent  me  from  travelling  to  declare  the  glad  tidings  of  sal- 
vation, and  thinking  my  life  would  be  short,  I  could  not  accej)t  his 
kind  offer. 

Thursday,  July  5,  I  went  to  a  camp  meeting  in  Warsaw,  where 
the  preachers  freated  me  with  coldness.  After  a  stay  of  one  day, 
having  prayed  twice  on  the  camp  ground,  one  of  the  ministers  re- 
proved me  for  taking  up  too  much  of  the  time.  Feeling  desirous 
to  address  the  people  from  the  stand,  I  requested  the  privilege,  but 
was  denied.  During  an  intermission  on  Saturday,  while  convers- 
ing with  some  individuals,  and  endeavoring  to  persuade  them  to  be 
reconciled  to  God,  large  numbers  crowded  to  hear,  till  I  had  not 
room  to  turn.  Being  solicited  by  some  of  the  brethren,  I  climbed 
upon  a  fire  stand,*  and  commenced  delivering  my  message.  Near- 
ly the  whole  assembly  gathering  around,  listened  attentively,  and 
many  with  tears.  Soon  one  of  the  preachers  requested  me  to  be 
as  brief  in  my  remarks  as  possible,  and  free  my  mind.  Feeling 
my  duty  was  then  discharged,  I  ceased  speaking,  and  the  next  day 
left  the  meeting.     Having  now  a  chain  of  appointments  west  of 


*  Fire  stands  are  about  six  feet  high,  and  congtrncted  by  placing  several  stakei  Hi  the 
ground,  and  covering  the  tops  of  them  first  with  boards,  and  then  with  earth,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  building  Area  ou  them,  to  give  light  in  the  night  at  camp  meetings. 


DAVID    MARKS. 


43 


ice.  In  tlie 
sifter   riding 

attended  a 
>d. 

ille.  Niira- 
!claring  the 
largest  that 

day,  about 
een  ten  and 
eople  in  the 
ere  smitten 
I,  and,  as  I 
1,  of  whom 

evening,  I 
Ued  fifteen 
?  preached 

List,  preach- 
,  I  address- 
ble  present 
a  collegiate 
eive  tuition 
it,  that  the 
d.  As  this 
ings  of  sal- 
accept  his 

aw,  where 
i'  one  day, 
nisters  re- 
g  desirous 
vilege,  but 

convers- 
hem  to  be 

I  had  not 
1  climbed 
;e.  Near- 
vely,  and 

me  to  be 
Feeling 

next  day 
s  west  of 


stnkeftilk  the 
,  for  the  pur- 


War^aw,  I  proceeded  thirty-six  miles ;  and  on  Monday  preached 
in  Sheldon  and  Wales.  In  the  hitter  place,  it  was  a  time  of  Em- 
manuel'!*  power ;  five  penitents  kneeled,  while  Ave  called  on  Ilim 
who  is  able  and  mighty  to  save.  One  of  the  number  soon  found 
Jesus.  On  the  day  after  I  preached  at  Aurora,  and  one  who  had 
been  awakened  in  one  of  my  former  meetings,  was  brought  into  the 
liberty  of  the  sons  of  God.  In  the  after  part  of  the  day,  I  spoke 
to  a  confiregation  in  Boston ;  one  sinner  was  slain,  and  soon  after 
raised  by  the  great  Physician.  The  day  following  I  preached  in 
Hamburg  to  a  numerous  concourse,  wlio  appeared  to  hear  for  the 
judgment  day. 

July  11,1  observed  with  solemn  prayer,  it  being  the  second  an- 
niversary of  my  baptism.  The  day  was  pleasant.  In  the  fore- 
noon, I  attended  a  meeting  in  Eden,  where  the  solemnities  of  the 
eternal  world  were  unveiled,  and  the  arrows  of  the  King  sharp  in 
the  hearts  of  his  enemies.  Eleven  thus  wounded,  bowed  before 
the  Lord ;  and  while  we  implored  his  mercy,  their  cries  and  groans 
resounded  through  the  bam  in  which  we  were  assembled.  After 
the  meeting  closed,  as  the  people  seemed  very  umvilling  to  leave 
the  place,  I  conversed  with  several  who  promised  to  seek  Grod. 
Addressing  a  young  woman,  who  belonged  to  the  Quakers,  I  asked 
her  if  she  desired  the  religion  of  the  blessed  Jesus.  She  made  no 
reply,  but  immediately  started  for  home.  Conviction  followed  her, 
and  her  distress  of  mind  became  so  gi'eat,  that  she  returned  in 
tears ;  and  meeting  me  in  company  with  several  anxious  souls,  as 
we  were  passing  from  the  barn  to  the  house,  she  begged  forgive- 
ness for  leaving  me  so  abruptly,  and  said,  she  not  only  desired  the 
knowledge  of  God,  but  wished  me  to  entreat  his  mercy  for  her. 
After  entering  the  house,  we  again  called  on  the  Lord.  From  this 
good  hour,  a  revival  followed,  in  which  several  Quakers  professed 
to  be  born  again. 

After  attending  two  other  meetings,  I  went  to  Buffalo,  and 
preached  to  a  numerous  congregation  in  the  Methodist  chapel. 
Sunday,  July  15,  I  had  an  appointment  in  a  gi'ove  at  Hamburg. 
Many,  attracted  by  curiosity,  came  out  to  hear  '•  the  boy ;"  and  it 
Avas  said  the  assembly  was  larger  than  any  that  had  ever  before^been 
held  in  that  town.  I  endeavored  to  trust  in  God,  but  did  not  see  so 
much  of  his  power  manifested  as  my  heart  would  gladly  have  witness- 
ed. In  the  evening,  the  Lord  met  with  us  again  in  Eden,  and  while 
his  glory  beamed  upon  us,  Zion's  children  rejoiced  with  exceeding 
gi-eat  joy,  and  sinners  wept  aloud.  Ten  or  fifteen  awakened  souls 
fell  on  their  knees  and  humbly  begged  for  pardon.  The  next  day, 
I  travelled  twenty  miles  and  preached  twice ;  the  day  following, 
walked  fourteen  miles  to  an  appointment  in  Attica;  and  on 
Thursday,  returned  to  Eden,  a  distance  of  thirty-five  miles.    Here 


44 


MEMOIRS    OF 


I 

•A 


fii 


SI  ' 


I  met  a  croAvded  assembly,  in  which  the  power  of  the  Highest  ren- 
dered tlie  place  both  awful  and  glorious.  JNIany  went  away  mourn- 
ing for  their  transgressions,  and  sighing  for  salvation.  A  confer- 
ence was  held  in  the  evening :  a  large  number  spoke  of  the  deal- 
ings of  the  Lord  with  them,  and  several  declared  they  would  nev- 
er rest  till  they  found  peace  to  their  souls.  The  awakened  became 
so  distressed,  that  near  the  close  their  cries  were  heard  throughout 
the  assembly.  Fifteen  united  in  a  circle,  and  bowed  with  us,  while 
we  called  on  the  Lord.  One  or  two  found  peace,  and  went  home 
rejoicing. 

Friday,  July  20,  while  I  was  preaching  in  Boston,  the  Spirit  of 
the  Lord  God  descended  upon  us,  and  the  cries  of  the  wounded 
were  heard  in  every  part  of  the  congregation.  Fourteen  manifest- 
ed their  desires  for  salvation,  and  their  resolutions  to  seek  mercy ; 
and  t\''o  or  three  were  hopefully  converted. 

On  Saturday,  an  attack  of  the  chicken  pox  brought  on  me  the 
pains  of  raging  disorder.  But  having  appointments,  I  walked  ten 
miles,  to  Aurora,  in  much  distress  of  body,  frequently  lying  down 
by  the  way.  The  next  day,  being  the  Sabbath,  Elder  H.,  a  Cal- 
vmistic  Baptist,  and  myself,  undesignedly  had  appointments  at  the 
same  hour  and  place.  The  assembly  was  large,  and  on  entering,  I 
took  a  seat  as  a  stranger.  Elder  II.,  after  stating  that  he  under- 
stood a  boy,  who  had  been  preaching  in  those  parts,  had  an  ap- 
pointment at  that  place,  inquired  if  any  one  knew  where  he  was. 
On  receiving  an  answer,  he  asked  me  if  I  belonged  to  any  church, 
or  had  credentials.  My  letter  being  presented,  he  read  it  to  the 
assembly,  and  gave  me  liberty  to  preach.  I  loved  to  preach  Jesus, 
and  improving  the  opportunity,  enjoyed  a  precious  season.  In  the 
after  part  of  the  day,  I  walked  nine  miles,  and  preached  twice,  but 
passed  a  restless  night ;  my  illness  having  considerably  increased. 

On  Monday  morning,  the  rain  was  falling,  and  my  strength  al- 
most spent ;  yet  an  appointment,  eleven  miles  distant,  called  me, 
and  sinners  lay  near  my  heart.  After  walking  in  much  distress 
four  miles,  my  strength  failed ;  but  borrowing  a  horse,  I  reached 
my  appointment  at  Vermont  hill,  both  wet  and  cold.  The  house 
was  filled,  and  the  people  were  attentive.  Their  trickling  tears  be- 
spoke that  they  felt  the  melting  influence  of  God's  Holy  Spirit. 
After  the  meeting  closed,  I  began  conversing  with  individuals,  and 
asked  them  if  they  desired  an  interest  in  Christ.  Some  answered, 
'  they  did  not  at  present ;'  others  that  they  *  could  live  without  it  a 
little  longer:' — some  said  they  'thought  religion  a  good  thing;' 
and  others,  they  '  would  like  it  well  enough.'  I  asked  different 
questions,  relative  to  the  state  of  their  minds ;  but  notwithstanding 
their  tears  and  trembling,  they  answered  evasively ,>^and  no  one 
owning  a  desii*e  for  salvation,  I  went  to  Elder  Folsom's,  sorrowing 


DAVID   MARKS. 


45 


gliest  ren- 
ly  mourn- 
A  conf'er- 

the  deal- 
'ould  nev- 
d  became 
^roughout 

us,  while 
ent  home 

Spirit  of 

wounded 

manifest- 

k  mercy ; 

ti  me  the 
alked  ten 
ing  down 
[.,  a  Gai- 
ts at  the 
itering,  I 
e  undcr- 
i  an  ap- 
he  was. 
r  church, 
it  to  tlie 
ih  Jesus, 

In  the 
vice,  but 
creased. 
mgih  al- 
lied me, 
distress 
reached 
le  house 
ears  be- 

Spirit. 
als,  and 
iswered, 
lOut  it  a 
thing ;' 
ifferent 
tanding 
no  one 
Towing 


i 


and  astonished  at  the  obstinacy  of  sinful  man.  But  as  soon  as  the 
evening  came,  six  or  seven,  with  whom  I  had  conversed,  came  to 
th<'  house  and  desired  me  to  pray  for  them.  Next  morning,  1  was 
iiiionni'd  that  two  or  throe  of  this  number  had  l^een  in  such  distress 
of  mind,  while  they  saw  the  sinfulness  of  their  lives,  that  they  neith- 
er closed  their  eyes  to  sleep,  nor  lay  down  during  the  night.  At 
dawn  of  day,  they  returned  to  my  lodging,  and  others  continued  to 
conn',  till  an  hour  after  sunrising,  when  the  number  was  increased 
to  fiftcn.  I  prayed  and  conversed  with  them — then  bidding  them 
adieu,  went  to  my  appointment  in  Boston.  Here  the  heavens 
seemed  to  l)e  opened,  and  the  glory  of  God  to  fill  the  house.  Pro- 
fessor? were  revived,  wanderers  reclaimed,  and  our  meeting  was 
crowned  with  the  praises  of  two  or  three  new-born  souls.  The 
four  days  following  I  labored  in  Eden  and  Boston. 

During  four  weeks  that  had  now  passed,  the  power  of  God  was 
frecpiently  manifested  in  our  meetings  in  these  towns.  While  the 
saints  were  made  to  sing  and  shout  for  joy,  the  cries  of  awakened 
sinners,  begging  for  mercy,  often  saluted  our  ears.  Eighteen  had 
professed  to  find  pardon  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  Among 
this  number,  was  one  in  advanced  life,  who  for  eight  years  had  at- 
tended but  one  or  two  religious  meetings.  His  curiosity  being  ex- 
cited by  the  report,  that  '  a  boy  of  tl»e  age  of  fifteen,  was  preach'^ 
ing  among  the  people,'  he  came  out  to  hear,  looking  with  a  scrutin- 
izing eye  at  the  youth,  when,  as  he  afterwards  stated,  the  following 
inquiries  were  suggested  to  his  mind :  '  If  that  lad  is  engaged  in  the 
cause  of  religion,  and  so  earnestly  desires  the  welfare  of  men,  as  to 
leave  his  father's  house  at  this  tender  age,  and  go  among  strangers, 
far  away  from  home,  to  persuade  men  to  be  reconciled  to  God ; 
what  should  I,  an  old  man,  be  about  ?  I  am  living  in  sin  in  the 
very  evening  of  life,  while  he  is  serving  God  in  childhood.'  Con- 
viction reached  his  heart,  and  never  left  him,  till  he  was  hopefully 
converted. 

July  29,  after  taking  leave  of  the  brethren  in  Boston  and  Eden, 
I  preached  in  Concord  and  China,  and  next  day  visited  Center- 
ville,  little  realizing  the  deep  sorrows  that  awaited  me.  Being  told 
a  letter  in  the  Post  Office  waited  my  arrival,  the  recollection  of  my 
impression  six  weeks  before  at  brother  Johnson's,  in  Pike,  caused 
me  to  tremble,  and  remark  that  I  believed  my  mother  watj  no 
more. 

With  an  agitated  step,  I  hastened  to  the  office.  The  letter  was 
presented,  and  a  black  seal  confirmed  my  fears.  I  paused  to  pre- 
pare for  heavy  tidings  ;  then  opened  the  letter,  tmd  saw  the  name 
subscribed  was  my  father's.  After  naming  the  reception  of  my 
last  letter,  he  wrote  thns :  "  You  write,  "  Dear  father  and  mother ;" 
but,  0  my  son,  it  has  become  my  painful  duty  to  inform  you,  that 


4G 


MEMOIRS    OP 


your  mother  i.'^  no  more  with  uh.  A  sudden  attfick  of  the  riuiek 
consumption  confinetl  heron  the  lOtli  of  May,  1821,  and  she  de- 
parted this  lift!  on  the  29tli  of  the  same  month."  That  whicli  I 
had  feared,  now  came  upon  me.  1  couhl  read  no  further — th(>  ten- 
der ties  Avere  rent  asunder.  1  retired,  that  my  heart  might  hh'cd 
its  anguish.  "When  the  first  impulse  of  grief  had  a  litth*  subsided, 
I  read  my  letter,  and  with  subsequent  infomiation,  gathered  the 
following  particulars. 


My  parents,   after  the  burning  of  their 


dwelling. 


prepared  a 


neighborirg  cottag(^  for  their  abode,  into  which  they  gathered  a 
few  things,  till  a  house  my  father  had  purchased,  should  be  remov- 
ed to  the  place  they  had  selected.  Shortly  after,  my  mother,  hav- 
ing no  candles,  seated  herself  in  the  door  of  tlic  cottage  one  even- 
ing, to  rejiair  garments  for  the  family  by  moon-light.  The  next 
morning  she  found  she  had  taken  cohl,  and  said  to  my  father,  "  I 
am  ill,  and  I  shall  die.  Our  cottage  is  uncomfortable,  and  I  will 
go  to  one  of  the  neighbor's  and  there  end  my  days."  But  he,  sup- 
posing their  late  affliction  had  cnst  a  gloom  over  her  mind,  and  that 
ill  health  had  discouraged  her,  hoped  she  would  soon  recover,  and 
be  restored  to  her  usual  cheerfulness.  She  went  to  the  house  of 
Mr.  W.,  apparently  without  serious  symptoms  of  a  course  of  sick- 
ness ;  and  said,  "  I  am  not  well,  and  have  come  to  your  house 
to  be  sick  and  die."  Mr.  W.,  suqirised  at  the  remark,  kindly  re- 
plied, "  You  are  welcome  to  my  house ;  but  I  trust  you  mistake 
in  expecting  death."  The  same  day  she  took  her  bed,  and  seem- 
ingly closed  her  eyes  upon  the  world.  Though  not  yet  attacked  vi- 
olently, she  said  she  should  no  more  arise.  My  father  proposed  to 
call  a  physician.  She  replied,  "  It  will  do  no  good ;  but  if  it  will 
afford  you  any  satisfaction  I  am  Avilling."  Mr.  M.,  a  skillful  phy- 
sician, attended,  and  at  first  did  not  consider  her  case  alarming ; 
but  soon  her  destiny  appeared  to  be  unalterably  fixed. 

My  brother  Friend,  while  sitting  by  her,  said,  "  I  cannot  bear 
the  thought  that  you  should  now  die  and  leave  us."  She  calmly 
replied,  "  My  son,  nearly  forty-five  years  have  I  spent  in  this  world 
of  tribulation.  "We  commenced  in  comfortable  circumstances,  with 
fair  prospects  of  the  future ;  bu.  once  have  been  stripped  of  all, — 
twice  our  dwelling  has  been  consumed.  Life  has  been  a  continued 
series  of  disappointments,  and  now  I  am  nearly  through  all  my  sor- 
rows. The  Lord  is  about  to  take  me  to  himself, — and  O,  my  child, 
how  can  you  wish  me  to  stay  here  any  longer."  My  brother, 
bursting  into  tears,  could  say  no  more,  but  retired  in  secret  to  vent 
his  grief.  Rosanna,  an  only  daughter,  of  the  age  of  seven,  and  the 
youngest,  a  son  of  five  years,  having  heard  her  say  she  should  die, 
went  several  times  each  to  her  bed,  weeping  and  saying,  "  Mamma, 
I  don't  want  you  should  die."     Always,  before  this,  when  confined 


1 
^ 
H 


DAVID   MARKS. 


47 


of  the  quick 
,  nnd  slic  do- 
I'liut  whicfi  I 
her — (ho  tcn- 
:  might  blood 
ttle  subsided, 
gathered  the 

,  I)ropared  a 
r  gathered  a 
Id  be  remov- 
motlier,  hav- 
je  one  even- 
.     The  next 
7  father,  "  1 
,  and  I  will 
But  he,  sup- 
ind,  and  tliat 
recover,  and 
tlie  house  of 
urse  of  sick- 
your  house 
;,  kindly  re- 
>^ou  mistake 
,  and  seem- 
attacked  vi- 
proposed  to 
ut  if  it  will 
killful  phy. 
1  alarming; 

annot  bear 
She  calmly 
1  this  world 
ances,  Avith 
d  of  all, — 
L  continued 
all  my  sor- 
,  my  child, 
y  brother, 
•et  to  vent 
n,  and  the 
should  die, 
Mamma, 
1  confined 


liy  sicknoss,  or  expootlng  the  approach  of  death,  she  had  oxjirossod 
much  iUl'ection  for  her  childn'u,  and  concern  for  their  welfare;  but 
now.  it  seemed  that  u  view  of  death,  and  discovery  of  eternity,  had 
biuiishcd  anxiety  and  absorbed  natural  affection.  Though  she  had 
always  been  a  tender  mother,  now  the  only  reply  to  her  innocent 
babes  was,  "  Go  awat/."  IJeiug  freciucutly  asked  if  she  did  not 
wish  to  see  David,  her  rcjieated  answer  wjus,  "  A'^o."  Once,  in  re- 
})ly  to  the  same  question,  she  said,  "  You  nuiy  think  it  strange  that 
1  say  no ;  but  it  is  becausi;  he  is  engaged  in  the  cause  of  Christ, 
which  I  do  not  wish  him  to  leave  to  visit  me.  I  am  going  home; 
he  will  soon  finish  his  work  and  follow  me." 

Oil  the  morning  of  the;  28th  of  May,  her  ])hysician,  after  giving 
some  directions  concerning  her  mediciye,  said  he  must  leave,  but 
would  call  again  the  next  day.  She  rejdied,  "  Vou  need  not  come  ; 
for  it  will  be  useless ;  if  you  come  to-morrow,  you  will  find  me  u 
corpse."  At  one  o'clock,  1*.  M.,  she  became  speechless,  and  the 
l)ains  of  death  began.  Several  times,  my  father  desired  her  to 
press  his  hand,  if  she  felt  confident  of  her  acceptance  with  God. 
This  she  continued  to  do  as  often  as  requested,  until  her  strength  so 
failed,  that  she  could  only  stretch  her  luuid  a  little.  Her  distress 
was  very  great;  but  at  the  hour  of  four,  the  next  morning,  her 
Savior  called — she  left  her  pain  and  anguish — and  exchanged  tliis 
world  of  son-ow,  this  vale  of  tears,  I  trust,  for  a  world  of  glory 
and  immortiU  bliss. 

Another  little  circumstance  touched  my  heart.  The  dollar  that 
I  sent  back  after  the  house  was  burned,  was  used  toward  purchas- 
ing her  grave  apparel.  O,  how  distant  was  the  thought,  when  I 
received  that  dollar  from  my  mother,  and  returned  it,  that  this 
would  be  its  application ! 


48 


MEMOins  or 


CIIAl»TKli  V. 

]\()'ti'culars  of  my  lahors,  (mil  other  ocnirrences,  from  Jnly^  18'21, 

to  Aovettiber  following. 

TA(\('\'  Kcndnll  kiinlly  f^avc  im\  tlic  use  of  a  liorso  to  v^it  ourbo- 
renvcd  family.     On  the   iii()nnn<r  of  Aiij^ust  2,  1821,   I  proceeded 
on  the  journey,  which  was  I.'JO  inih's ;    and  on  the,  evening  of  the 
fourlli,  arrived  at  my  lather's  dwelling.     But,  O  how  gloomy!  All 
that  met  my  sight  was  marked  with  change.    The  house  I  left  was 
gone,  and  anotlier  erected  on  other  ground.     The  mantle  of  night 
had  cast  its  shade  around.   .1  knocked  at  the  door,  but  all  was 
silent  as  the  house  of  death.     Receiving  no  answer,  I  entered,  and 
found  my  younger  brother  sleeping  by  the  fire.     Uj)on  awaking 
him,  he  burst  into  tears,  and  exclaimed,  "  O,  David !  is  this  you  ? 
mamma  is  dead !"     After  informing  me  that  my  father  and  eldest 
brother  had  gone  a  few  miles  from  home,  he  conducted  me  to  the 
chamber,  where  the  two  youngest  cliildren  were  in  bed.     Awaking 
from  sleep,  Rosanna  threw  her  arms  around  my  neck,  and  with 
much  grief  cried,  "  INIamma  is  dead."     Jeremiah  also  told  me  the 
same,  as  though  the  tidings  were  new.     This  was  a  heart-touching 
scene.     Soon  my  father  and  brother  returned ;   but  O,  how  empty 
and  solitary  the  house  appeared !     Death  seemed  engraven  on  the 
walls,  and  on  all  things  around.     Together  we  bowed  before  the 
Lord,  when  a  remembrance  of  the  solemn  scene  on  the  morning  of 
our  separation,  caused  my  heart  a  bitter  pang.     Our  number  was 
less  than  at  that  time, — that  voice,  which  then  so  fervently  implor- 
ed the  mercies  of  Heaven  at  the  family  altar,  we  heard  not.    A\i\s  ! 
it  was  silent  and  mute  in  death.     Memory,   faithful  to  its  office, 
brought  to  mind  the  excellent  counsel  and  emphatical  warnings  my 
dear  mother  l\ad  given  me,  accompanied  by  the  painful  assurance 
that  they  could  never  again  be  repeated.     The  next  morning  was 
the  Sabbath.     I  arose  early,  and  viewed  in  solemn  silence  the  sur- 
rounding scenery.     The  ruins  of  the  old  house  brought  the  recol- 
lection of  departed  years  ;   but  another  spot  met  my  eye.     It  was 
where  I  last  beheld  the  form  of  my  departed  mother.     O,  how 
dreary  and  desolate  all  creation  appeared !    With  bitterness  I  said, 
"  All  below  is  vanity." 

We  repaired  to  the  house  of  worship.  The  empty  seat  in  the 
carriage,  and  the  vacant  place  in  the  house  of  God,  told  us,  in  si- 
lent language,  that  death  had  bereaved  us ;  and  pointed  to  the 
dark  confines  of  the  tomb.  After  the  morning  service,  in  company 
with  my  father  and  family,  I  walked  to  the  "  congregation  of  the 
dead ;"  there  I  gazed  on  the  mound,  beneath  which  rested  the 


i  i' 


DAVID  MARKH. 


40 


t/y,  1821, 

rtit  our  bo- 

ing  of  the 
•oiny !  All 
I  \vi\  was 
u  of  night 
ut  all  wart 
itcrcd,  and 
1  awaking 
this  you  ? 
and  eldest 
rae  to  the 
Awaking 
and  with 
;)ld  me  the 
I't-touching 
liow  empty 
ven  on  the 
before  the 
morning  of 
umber  was 
tly  implor- 
lot.    Alas ! 
its  office, 
iirnings  my 
assurance 
orning  was 
ce  the  sur- 
the  recol- 
e.     It  was 
O,  how 
ness  1  said, 

seat  in  the 
p  us,  in  si- 
ted to  the 
n  company 
ion  of  the 
rested  the 


bfMly  of  my  mother,  and  waten-d  if  with  my  tear?.  But  my  In-art 
was  lutt  williout  consolation;  I  njoierd  in  th<'  mi<lst  of  sorrow  ;  for 
1  thought,  "  niesst'd  are  the  deail  that  die  intiie  Konl."  II<'reMhe 
rests  in  peace.  No  more  the  toils  of  life,  the  afllieti<ms  and  woes 
of  tlii-i  IuikI  of  piiin  ami  death,  assail  Iwr.  Six-  rests  in  the  Itosoni 
of  lliiit  S:ivi<»r,  who  on  earth  was  so  dear  to  her,  and  whose  cause 
wiis  so  precious  to  her  heart.  Though  1  deeply  felt  and  mourned 
my  loss,  yet,  while  I  knew  it  was  her  eternal  gain,  for  her  1  could 
rejoice.  In  a  little  time  I  shall  finish  my  work  an<l  follow  her. 
Afl<r  wamlcring  a  little  longer  in  the  earth,  warning  sinners  and 
Weeping  over  them,  1  >iiall  rest  from  my  hihors,  and  rejoin  her  to 
sing  praises  to  (iod  and  the  I.amb  for  ever.  IJidding  adieu  to  her 
peaceful  grave,  I  endeavored  in  the  afternoon,  with  feelings  of 
great  solemnity,  to  ])oint  sinners  to  the  Savior. 

After  a  stay  of  four  days  in  Junius,  duty  called  for  my  depart- 
ure. Uiilding  my  father'and  brothers  farewell,  on  the  Dth  of  Au- 
gust, they  went  to  their  labor,  and  my  little  sister  sat  alone  in  the 
liouse.  Just  as  I  was  ready  to  leave,  she  burst  into  tears  and  said, 
••()  David,  don't  leave  me.  It  is  very  lonesonn'  lure  since  mamma 
died."  It  seenu'd  as  though  my  heart  would  br<'ak.  I  trie<l  to 
console  her,  and  (^uiet  her  grii.'ti  telling  her,  it  was  for  poor  sinners 
that  I  left  her;  they  were  going  down  to  death,  and  the  Lord  had 
nuide  it  my  duty  to  warn  them.  This  was  a  trying  hour; — l)ut, 
eonunitting  her  to  the  care  of  Heaven,  I  proceeded  to  "Wayne, 
where  the  Henton  Quarterly  INIeeting  was  to  be  held,  on  the  11th 
and  12th  of  the  nutnth.  The  meeting  was  liighly  favored  from  the 
presence  of  tlu^  Lord.  Four  were  hopefully  converted — wander- 
ers confessed  tlieir  backslidings — and  several  went  to  their  homes 
iiKjuiring  the  way  to  Zion. 

IMonday,  after  riding  forty  miles  to  Bristol,  to  attend  an  appoint- 
ment previously  left  with  a  landlady  for  circulation,  I  found  she 
had  not  given  it  notice.  She  said  she  believed  me  an  impostor, 
and  liad  not  expect(>d  my  return.  But,  notwithstanding  I  had  re- 
turned according  to  agreement,  she  was  then  unwilling  I  should 
preach  in  her  house.  Being  destitute  of  money,  much  fatigued, 
and  faint  with  hunger,  having  ate  nothing  during  the  day's  jour- 
ney, I  requ(»sted  some  food,  but  it  was  refused!  then  asking  some- 
thing for  my  horse,  this  also  was  refused.  So  leaving  her,  I  rode 
aljout  two  miles,  made  application  for  a  lodging,  which  was  grant- 
ed, and  my  necessities  kindly  relieved.  The  next  day  I  rode  thir- 
ty miles  to  an  appointment  in  Perry ;  and  the  day  following  to 
Centerville,  returned  the  horse  I  luid  borrowed,  and  in  the  evening 
attended  a  meeting.  Thursday  and  Friday  I  walked  36  miles  to 
Bethany,  and  preached  once  by  the  way. 


50 


MEMOIRS    OP 


On  Friday.  Aug.  17,  1821,  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  being  pres- 
ent at  the  organization  of  the  IlolUind  Purcha.se  Yearly  Meeting. 
Three  Quarterly  Meetings,  viz :  Bethany,  Erie,  and  lienton,  unit- 
ed by  delegation ;  and  the  following  particulars  concerning  their 
rise  and  numbers  at  that  period,  were  presented: 

Bethany  Quarterly  Meeting  was  the  first  of  the  Freovill  Bap- 
tist denomination,  organized  in  the  state  of  New  York.  It  was 
gathered  in  1813,  through  the  instrumentality  of  FAder  Nathaniel 
Brown,  a  faithful  minister  of  Christ,  who  left  his  brethren  in  Straf- 
foi'd,  Vermont,  about  the  year  1810.  At  this  time,  it  consisted  of 
thirteen  churches,  which  numbered  five  hundred  and  forty-eight 
members,  nine  elders,  and  six  unordained  preachers. 

Erie  Quarterly  Meeting  was  organized  from  the  Bethany  Quar- 
terly Meeting,  about  the  year  1818.  It  now  had  eight  churches — 
which  consisted  of  three  elders,  four  unordained  preachers,  and  one 
hundred  and  ninety-eight  members. 

Benton  Quarterly  Meeting  was  gathered  by  Elder  Zebulon 
Dean,  about  the  year  1818.  At  this  time  it  consisted  of  six  church- 
es, containing  one  hundred  and  tA^enty-two  members,  five  elders, 
and  three  unordained  preachers. 

Total  number  in  the  Yearly  Meeting,  seventeen  elders,  thirteen 
unordained  preachers,  and  eight  hundred  and  sixty-eight  members. 

On  Saturday,  a  good  season  was  enjoyed.  On  the  Sabbath,  a 
numerous  assembly  was  present.  Five  sermons  were  delivered, 
which  were  very  instructive  and  refreshing.  On  an  evening  of 
this  meeting,  I  attended  worship  where  several  preachers  were 
present,  and  gave  an  exhortation ;  but  being  a  stranger,  the  peo- 
ple, as  they  dispersed,  left  me  alone  in  the  school-house,  which  some 
one  locked.  My  Master  declared  at  one  time,  that  he  "  had  not 
where  to  lay  his  head ;"  when  I  thought  of  my  comfortable  shelter, 
my  mind  was  composed,  and  placing  two  or  three  benches  together, 
I  laid  myself  on  them  and  fell  into  a  sweet  slumber.  In  the  mean- 
time, a  person  who  was  not  a  professor,  after  he  had  gone  a  mil6 
toward  home,  knowing  I  was  locked  in  the  house,  felt  uneasy,  and 
obtaining  the  key,  returned  and  awoke  me,  and  would  have  me  go 
to  his  house. 

From  Bethany,  I  went  to  Wales  and  Boston,  and  preached  in 
each  town ;  then  returning  home,  attended  two  meetings  by  the 
way.  I  spent  about  three  weeks  in  Junius,  held  fifteen  meetings, 
and  met  with  considerable  opposition.  My  trials  were  great ;  but 
the  words  of  Christ,  Matt.  13:57,  "  A  prophet  is  not  without  honor, 
save  in  his  own  country,"  encouraged  me  to  walk  in  the  path  of 
obedience, — ^believing  that  if  God  had  called  me  to  preach  his 
word,  lie  would  uphold  me  in  the  day  of  trouble ;  and  that  amid  all 
the  changes  of  life,  his  grace  would  be  suflficient  for  those  who  put 


DAVID    MARKS. 


51 


being  prcs- 
y  Meeting, 
enion,  unit- 
rning  their 

3ev/ill  Bap- 
fk.  It  was 
r  Nathaniel 
en  in  Straf- 
consistecl  of 
.  forty-eight 

hany  Quar- 

chu  relies — 

ers,  and  one 

ier  Zebulon 
'  six  church- 
five  elders, 

ers,  thirteen 
ht  members. 
1  Sabbath,  a 
e  delivered, 
evening  of 
ichers  were 
er,  the  peo- 
which  some 
"  had  not 
able  shelter, 
les  together, 
n  the  mean- 
gone  a  mil^ 
uneasy,  and 
have  me  go 

preached  in 
ings  by  the 
n  meetings, 
■  grcsit ;  but 
thout  honor, 
the  path  ol 
J) roach  his 
lat  amid  all 
3se  who  put 


their  trupt  in  him.  One  man  gave  notice  that  he  would  provide  a 
handi'ul  of  whips  at  my  next  meeting,  and  would  give  a  gallon  of 
whiskev  to  any  one  that  would  wear  them  out  on  me.  Sickness 
imiiKMliutelv  confined  him,  so  that  at  mv  next  meeting,  he  was  un- 
able  to  iittcnd.  One  of  his  children  was  taken  ill  about  the  same 
time,  and  died  in  a  few  days.  How  great  is  the  care  God  has  of 
his  children ! — Not  a  hair  shall  fall  to  the  ground  Avithout  his  no- 
tice. I  understood  that,  at  another  time,  some  of  the  jdanks  were 
removed  from  a  bi'idge,  over  wliich  T  was  expected  to  pass  in  the 
evening.  The  "  Guide  of  my  youth"  turned  my  feet  another  way, 
and  thus  preserved  me  from  the  snare  of  my  enemies.  A  member 
of  the  church  told  me,  my  foes  were  intending  to  lie  in  Avait  when 
I  went  away,  and  take  my  life.  O  that  God  may  not  lay  these 
sins  to  their  charge  ;  but  in  mercy  may  He  give  them  to  see  the 
folly  of  their  ways. 

About  this  time,  I  felt  considerable  desire  to  acquire  a  knowl- 
edge of  English  Grammar ;  but  as  my  views  of  duty  would  not  per- 
mit me  to  leave  the  work  to  which  God  had  appointed  me,  to  at- 
tend a  school,  I  reasoned  with  myself  thus :  If  men  have  had  suffi- 
cient genius  to  form  and  arrange  the  rules  of  language,  and  the  ex- 
perience and  learning  of  ages  have  presented  them  in  a  style,  plain 
and  familiar,  cannot  a  knowledge  of  this  science  be  obtained  with- 
out going  to  school  ?  The  continued  dropping  of  w^ater  will  wear 
even  a  stone ;  by  resolution  and  pei-severance,  any  thing  within  the 
sphere  of  man  may  be  accomplished.  As  a  knowledge  of  gram- 
mar miglit  greatly  extend  my  usefulness,  I  concluded  that,  if  life 
continue,  I  can  and  will  obtain  this  knowledge.  Yet  I  had  no  book, 
neither  money  to  purchase  one.  But,  as  one  day's  labor  on  the 
Erie  canal,  that  was  near,  would  furnish  me  with  the  money,  I 
went  to  a  marsh  west  of  Montezuma,  and  engaged  in  pumping 
water.  Soon  one  of  the  laborers  accosted  me  thus  :  "  What !  you  at 
work  on  the  canal  ?  1  thought  you  spent  your  whole  time  in  preach- 
ing." Telling  him  the  occasion  of  my  being  thus  engaged,  he 
seemed  touched,  and  gave  me  a  shilling ;  then  called  on  his  com- 
rades to  show  a  like  favor.  They  soon  gave  me  money  enough 
for  my  desired  object,  and  dismissed  me,  requesting  that  I  should 
preach  to  the  workmen  the  ensuing  evening.  Accordingly  I  com- 
plied, and  enjoyed  the  presence  of  God.  I  understood  that  some 
of  the  wicked  laborers  hatl  designed  to  whip  me,  and  that  others, 
learning  this,  had  determined  to  defend  me  by  force.  This,  how- 
ever, they  had  no  occasion  to  do,  for  the  Lord  protected  me,  and  I 
was  permitted  to  return  to  Junius  in  peace. 

Having  now  obtained  a  book,  I  commenced  the  study  of  gram- 
mar ;  and  occasionally  received  some  instruction  from  friends  that 
I  met  with  in  my  subsequent  travels.    I  studied  while  travelling  on 


« 


52 


MEMOIRS    OP 


1 


ii: 


the  road,  for  hundreds  of  miles,  and  at  length  measurably  succeed- 
ed in  my  desired  object. 

During  my  stay  in  Junius,  I  was  called  to  witness  a  solemn 
scene.  A  neighbor,  who  lesided  near,  had  stated  that,  soon  after 
the  burial  of  my  mother,  a  noise  was  heard  in  the  burying  ground 
like  the  opening  of  a  grave.  The  mound  also  over  her  had  sunk 
much  below  the  surface  of  the  surrounding  earth.  From  these  cir- 
cumstances, we  feared  that  her  body  had  been  taken  away,  and 
concluded  to  open  her  grave.  Our  family  and  a  few  others  were 
present  on  the  occasion.  After  prayer,  our  friends  proceeded  to 
open  the  silent  mansion — and  with  a  trembling  heart,  I  waited  the 
solemn  sight.  If  the  coffm  should  be  empty,  this  must  give  us  un- 
pleasant feelings ;  and  if,  on  the  other  hand,  the  remains  of  the  ten- 
der parent  should  be  found,  I  knew  this  would  be  a  sight  from 
which  my  feelings  must  shrink  with  horror.  The  lid  was  raised, 
and  a  human  form  appeared.  At  first  I  could  hardly  believe  it 
was  that  of  my  mother.  But  reflection  convinced  me  that  these 
were  the  remains  of  that  tender  mother,  whom  I  left  in  health  only 
the  spring  before.  But  O,  the  change  !  The  coffin  was  half  full 
of  dark  water,  that  appeared  once  to  have  entirely  covered  the 
body.  The  fat;e  had  the  color  of  dark  earth ;  the  flesh  had  fallen 
a\«iy  from  the  cheeks,  leaving  the  teeth  bare  ;  and  her  eyes  had 
sunk  deep  in  their  sockets.  Her  arms  had  sunk  in  the  body,  till 
they  w^ere  nearly  level  with  its  surface.  While  gazing  on  these 
remains,  I  exclaimed  within  myself,  O  my  God  !  is  this  my  moth- 
er !  Are  those  the  arms  that  embraced  me  in  infancy ! — those  the 
eyes  that  wept  over  me  ! — is  that  the  bosom  to  which,  in  childhood, 
I  was  tenderly  pressed !  As  an  un}>leasant  aflluvia  compelled  me 
to  turn  away,  I  said  of  the  dust,  '  Thou  art  my  mother.'  And  the 
^  thought  rushed  upon  me  with  great  solemnity,  '  this  is  a  looking- 

glass  for  me.  Thus  it  will  soon  be  with  me,  and  with  all  the  liv- 
ing. But  her  spirit  is  not  here ;  it  has  fled  beyond  the  limits  of 
mortality.'  The  coffin  being  again  closed,  and  the  grave  filled  up, 
we  retired  from  the  instructive  scene,  while  solemi  reflections  of  the 
resurrection  gave  me  great  consolation. 

September  19,  my  father  kindly  purchased  me  a  horse,  and  al- 
lowed me  six  months  to  make  the  payment.  The  next  morning,  I 
left  home  for  Manlius,  and  rode  twenty  miles  without  a  saddle, 
then  left  my  horse  in  Elbridge,  and  the  day  following  walked  twen- 
six  miles  and  held  one  meeting,  in  which  sinners  wept  and  saints 
rejoiced.  One  mourning  soul  cried  to  God,  and  soon  after  found 
peace  in  Jesus. 

Sunday,  23.  A  large  number  assembled  at  the  place  of  my  ap- 
pointment. The  Lord  gave  me  boldness  to  speak  in  his  name,  and 
his   Spirit  attended  the  word.     Many  w'ho  came,  expecting  the 


DAVID   MABK3. 


53 


Ay  succectl- 

'i   a  solemn 

,  soon  after 

ing  {ground 

t*  had  sunk 

m  these  eir- 

away,  and 

(thers  were 

'occeded  to 

'.  waited  the 

give  us  un- 

>  of  tlie  ten- 

siglit  from 

was  raised, 

beheve  it 

that  these 

health  only 

as  half  full 

iovered  the 

1  had  fallen 

jr  eyes  had 

e  body,  till 

ig  on  these 

s  my  moth- 

— those  the 

1  childhood, 

iipelled  me 

And  the 

a  looking- 

all  the  liv- 

e  limits  of 

e  filled  np, 

tions  of  the 


'■  ioy,"  like  Sampson,  Avould  only  make  sport  for  them,  wept  pro- 
fusely. In  the  afternoon,  I  preached  at  Manlius  four  corners,  to 
several  hundred.  The  Master  of  assemblies  presided  and  Zion  re- 
joiced. Sinners  were  pricked  in  the  heart ; — and  inviting  those 
who  were  desirous  of  salvation,  to  manifest  it  by  rising,  my  heart 
leaped  with  joy,  to  behold  thirty  rise  in  the  assembly.  Several  of 
them  Avept  bitterly,  and  eight  or  nine  never  rested  till  Jesus  ap- 
peared to  them  the  chiefest  among  ten  thousand,  and  the  one  alto- 
gether lovely.  Three  dollars  were  given  me  in  this  place,  for 
which  I  thanked  God.  Monday,  I  walked  twenty-eight  miles,  and 
preached  in  Gettysburg  and  Elbridge. 

After  this,  I  went  to  I-ysander,  Oswego,  and  Scriba.  I  attend- 
ed meetings  in  each  place ;  in  the  latter  some  appeared  sensible  of 
their  danger,  and  promised  to  seek  the  Lord.  Sunday,  September 
30, 1  rode  ten  miles,  and  preached  at  the  Oswego  falls,  from  the 
word  '  Fire  ;'  and,  indeed,  felt  the  word  shut  up  like  fire  in  my 
bones.  The  next  day  I  spoke  to  an  attentive  audience  in  Camil- 
lus,  and  the  day  following  returned  to  Junius. 

My  father's  dwelling  was  more  lonely  than  ever,  my  sister  and 
youngest  brother  having  been  committed  to  the  care  of  strangers, 
thirty  miles  from  home.  With  me,  Junius  had  lost  much  of  its 
power  to  delight.  The  ties  wliich  had  made  it  dear  to  my  heart, 
were  nearly  all  rent  asunder.  The  places  where  I  had  formerly 
enjoyed  the  society  of  my  relatives,  were  now  empty,  and  called 
up  bitter  recollections. 

After  a  short  stay  in  Junius,  and  holding  a  few  meetings,  I  again 
Aisitod  the  Holland  Purchase,  and  enjoyed  some  favored  seasons, 
while  pointing  sinners  to  the  Savior.  During  my  visit,  I  attended 
the  Erie  Quarterly  Meeting  in  the  town  of  HoUand,  on  the  third 
and  fourth  of  November,  1821.  The  sermons  were  interesting, 
and  some  good  degree  of  the  Spirit  was  present.  ^^gfH 

After  visiting  and  preaching  in  Boston,  I  returned  to  Junius, 
and  arrived  at  my  father's  on  the  13th  of  November. 


5* 


se,  and  al- 

morning,  I 

a  saddle, 

liked  twen- 

and  saints 

after  found 


t  of  my  ap- 

name,  and 

)ecting  the 


I'l- 


•^ 


54 


MEMOIRS    OF 


CHAPTER  VI. 


My  Journey  to  New  Hctinpshire. 


M 


: 


From  a  constant  perusal  of  tlic   llel 


igious 


Infor 


mer,  a 


period  I 


cul  published  by  one  of  our  preachers  in  New  Hampshire,  I  bt;- 
came  much  attached  to  many  in  New  England.  An  anxiety  for 
months  had  been  increasing  in  my  mind  to  see  these  brethren, 
many  of  whom  had  been  long  in  the  holy  war,  and  had  borne  the 
burden  and  heat  of  the  day.  I  wished  to  become  acquainted  with 
their  spirit  and  manners,  and  learn  instruction  from  them.  Believ- 
ing such  an  oi)portunity  would  be  useful  to  me,  and  having  ma<lc 
it  a  subject  of  prayer,  I  now  thought  duty  called  me  to  visit  tin- 
brethren  in  that  section. 

Accordingly,  after  a  stay  of  an  hour  and  a  half  at  my  fatJier's. 
on  Tuesday,  the  13th  of  November,  I  commenced  the  journey.  My 
temporal  prospects  were  discouraging.  I  had  a  young  horse,  no 
saddle,  great  coat,  or  money ;  and  was  going  among  strangers,  ji 
distance  of  more  than  four  hundred  miles.  But  being  bound  in 
spirit  to  go  thither,  I  believed  the  Lord  would  provide  for  me.  At 
evening,  I  attended  a  meeting  on  the  island  west  of  Montezuma. 
The  next  day  I  crossed  the  toll  bridge  at  Montezuma,  promising  to 
pay  the  tax  on  my  return.  At  Brutus,  I  held  a  meeting,  and  there 
met  Moses  Manrow,  who  desired  io  accompany  me  to  New  Hamp- 
shire.    He  also  was  destitute  of  money. 

Thursday,  we  attended  my  appointment  in  Elbridge.  The  next 
morning  we  came  to  a  turnpike  gate  in  Camillus,  and  after  telling 
the  gate  keeper  my  situation  and  business,  I  requested  a  free  pa>- 
sage.  Being  denied,  I  offered  my  hat,  coat,  or  shoes,  for  security. 
He  replied,  he  wanted  the  money ;  but  after  detaining  me  half  an 
hour,  let  me  pass,  Avith  a  charge  never  to  come  to  that  gate  again 
with  a  horse  and  no  money.  Proceeding  ten  miles,  I  preached  :i 
little  east  of  Nine  Mile  Point,  at  9  o'clock,  A.  M.  The  assembl} 
heard  attentively,  and  seemed  not  entirely  indifferent  to  "life's  on- 
ly great  concern."  At  3  o'clock,  P.  ]M.,  I  spoke  to  a  congiv^gation 
in  Gettysburg,  and  in  the  evening  to  one  in  Syracuse. 

Sunday,  November  18,  I  spoke  to  two  assemblies  in  Manlius,  in 
which  the  benign  infiuenee  of  the  Holy  Spirit  was  felt.  On  the  next 
day,  at  a  meeting  in  Orville,  some  appeared  to  feel  the  need  of  sal- 
vation. In  the  evening,  I  preached  at  Manllus  Square,  to  a  very 
attentive  audience,  and  the  day  following,  to  an  assembly  in  Poni- 
pey,  where  a  few  shillings  were  given  to  enable  me  to  pass  the 
gates.  The  ensuing  evening  we  met  a  congregation  in  the  south 
part  of  the  town ;  and  on  the  day  after  proceeded  fifteen  miles,  and 


DAVID    MARKS. 


i;5 


a  period  I - 
hire,  I  be- 
mxicty  for 
;  brethren, 

borne  the 
linted  with 
I.  Believ- 
ving  made 
to  visit  tlie 

ly  fatlier's, 
urney.  My 
horse,  no 
trangers,  a 
f  bound  ill 
or  me.  At 
lontezuma. 
romis:ing  to 
i;,  .and  there 
rew  Hamj)- 


Thc  next 
fter  telhng 
a  free  pa>- 
)r  seeurit}'. 
ne  half  an 
gate  again 
)reached  a 

assembl} 
"■  life's  011- 
ngn^gation 

Janliiis,  ill 
n  the  next 
eed  of  sal - 
to  a  very 
y  in  Pom- 
pass  the 
the  south 
miles,  and 


.'.pent  the  evening  in  a  Methodist  prayer  meeting.  The  next  morn- 
iii'"  at  7  o'clock,  I  preached  in  Christian  Hollow.  Here  I  met  with 
unexpected  embarrassment ;  for,  by  some  means,  I  liad  lost  tht- 
record  ofiiiy  appointments  in  a  strange  land.  The  most  I  knew  of 
them  was,  they  were  in  a  southern  direction.  Al'ter  proceeding 
twenty  miles,  I  found  that  I  had  missed  two;  and  then  obtained  in- 
formation of  four  others. 

Friday,  we  came  to  a  grave  yard,  where  the  congregation  was 
attending  to  the  burial  of  a  young  woman,  who  only  the  Tuesday 
|)reviou!5  was  in  the  bloom  of  health.  She  remarked,  while  stand- 
ing before  the  glass,  dressing  her  hair,  she  intended  to  go  to  school 
the  whole  winter.  In  a  few  minutes  she  felt  the  attacks  of  disor- 
der, and  in  thirty-six  hours  bid  the  world  adieu.  During  this  short 
illness,  she  bitterly  lamented  the  misimprovement  of  her  time.  Two 
weeks  previous  she  attended  a  gay  party,  and  joined  in  the  dance ; 
but  now,  when  death  was  summoning  her  to  appear  before  her 
Judge,  with  grief  she  said,  "•  O,  that  1  had  spent  that  time  praying 
to  God !"  She  then  called  her  parents  to  pray  for  her.  This  they 
luid  often  done,  and  also  counselled  her  to  prepare  for  the  solemn 
cliange ;  but  lier  ears  had  been  deaf  to  all  their  entreaties, — for 
she  thought  that  as  she  was  in  the  morning  of  life,  she  had  time 
enniifjh  yet  to  attend  to  religion.  Now  she  regretted  her  refusal  of 
the  friendly  counsel,  and  said,  "O  that  all  young  people  were  pre- 
sent, that  I  might  warn  them  not  to  do  as  I  have  done !  O,  tell 
them  from  me,  when  I  am  dead,  not  to  live  in  sin  as  I  have."  Just 
before  lier  eyes  closed  in  death  she  exclaimed,  "  I  am  going  to  re- 
ceive my  everlasting  fate!"  lam  going  to  dwell  with  devils!" 
After  her  burial  the  people  retired  to  a  house — and  as  their  ex- 
pected preacher  had  not  arrived,  being  requested,  I  addressed  them 
a  few  minutes,  concerning  the  mortality  of  man,  and  the  necessity 
of  beinj  prepared  for  the  awful  change  of  death.  After  praying 
with  them,  we  proceeded  to  my  appointment  in  Truxton.  The 
next  day  I  preached  thrice ;  a  friend  gave  me  a  great  coat,  which, 
though  considerably  worn,  was  gladly  received. 

Sunday,  Nov.  25,  I  attended  worship  in  Truxton,  where  two  or 
three  were  awakened,  and  kneeled  for  prayer.  A  revival  follow- 
ed, in  which  several  were  added  to  the  Lord.  Leaving  Truxton, 
I  preached  in  De  Ruyter  -v  illage,  and  the  next  day  proceeded  twen- 
ty miles  to  Murray  and  Lebanon,  and  there  held  four  meetings. 
Going  next  to  Plainfield,  I  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  speaking  to  a 
congregation,  composed  chiefly  of  young  converts.  The  children 
of  God  had  been  gladdened  l)y  a  glorious  revival  in  the  towns  of 
Plainfield  and  Winfield,  in  which  many  had  learned  the  song  of 
Zion.  Saturday  I  enjoyed  a  refreshing  season  with  the  "Seventh 
day"  Christians.     Here  an  invitation  was  given  me  to  preach  in 


66 


Memoirs  of 


ij 


11! 


Brookfiekl.  As  it  was  eight  miles  from  my  intended  course,  I  at 
first  declined ;  but  being  much  importuned,  I  finally  sent  an  ap- 
pointment for  the  next  Tuesday.  Sabbath,  Dec.  2,  I  j)reached  in 
the  Free  Communion  Baptist  meeting  house  ;  in  the  evening,  on 
the  Cheny  Valley  turnpike,  and  the  next  day  at  a  school  house. 

Tuesday,  I  addressed  a  considerable  number  of  people  in  Brook- 
field,  from  Gen.  3:19,  "  Dust  thou  art,  and  unto  dust  shalt  thou  re- 
turn." Many,  touched  by  the  power  of  God,  wept,  and  five  sin-sick 
souls  bowed  at  mercy's  altar.  Feeling  an  impression  of  duty,  I 
made  a  second  appointment  at  the  York  school  house.  Several 
hundred  attended :  the  Lord  led  my  soul  out  into  the  deep  waters, 
and  by  his  Spirit,  fastened  conviction  in  many  hearts.  A  good  pros- 
pect of  revival  in  Brookfield  now  appeared,  and  I  was  in  doubt 
whether  it  were  duty  to  stay  or  to  proceed  on  my  journey.  But, 
remembering  a  promise  I  made,  after  leaving  the  revival  in  Boston 
and  Eden,  which  stopped  soon  after,  that  if  the  Lord  would  make 
me  instrumental  of  one  more  revival,  I  would  not  leave  it  till  sen- 
sible it  was  his  v/ill,  I  concluded  to  tarry  a  little  season ;  and  I  re- 
quested my  heavenly  Father,  if  it  was  my  duty  to  stay,  and  if  my 
eyes  should  there  see  his  salvation,  that,  for  a  witness  of  it,  he  would 
convert  two  souls  before  the  close  of  that  week.  Dec.  9,  one  was 
converted,  and  testified  what  God  had  done  for  his  soul ;  and  be- 
fore the  week  closed,  another  was  brought  into  the  fold  of  Jesus. 
This  desired  witness  satisfying  me  as  to  duty,  I  continued  my  la- 
bors. On  Dec.  12,  one  more  was  converted,  and  the  number  of  the 
anxious  increased. 

But  now  the  enemy  of  all  righteousness,  seeing  his  kingdom  in- 
vaded, and  his  servants  deserting  his  standard,  rallied  his  forces. 
In  their  opposition  they  used  for  weapons,  ignorance,  prejudice, 
bigotry,  superstition,  and  falsehood.  Scandalous  reports  were 
circulated,  both  concerning  myself  and  the  subjects  of  the  revival. 
But  the  Captain  of  our  salvation  fought  for  his  people,  and  suffer- 
ed not  his  work  to  be  hindered.  In  our  meeting  on  the  19th  of 
the  month,  several  ridiculed  religion,  yet  the  season  was  solemn  to 
many,  .and  some  cried  for  mercy.  One  young  man,  who  was 
thoughtless  and  disorderly  in  the  early  part  of  the  meeting,  was  cut 
to  the  heart,  while  witnessing  the  tears  of  Christians,  whose  pray- 
ers were  raised  to  God  in  his  behalf.  When  conviction,  which  he 
then  called  "  a  singular  feeling"  sunk  into  his  heart,  immediately 
he  left  the  house  for  home — returned — set  out  again — returned 
again — and  coming  to  me,  desired  my  prayers  for  his  poor  soul.  I 
bowed  with  him  and  supplicated  Heaven's  mercy.  He  appeared 
to  be  a  very  humble  penitent,  cried  fervently  to  God  for  pardon, 
and  soon  after  was  happy  in  the  Savior's  love. 


!" 


i 


DAVID    MARKS. 


57 


;nt  an  ap- 
•eached  in 
¥ening,  on 
>1  house, 
in  Brook- 
ilt  thou  re- 
ve  sin-siek 
of  duty,  I 
.  Several 
icp  waters, 
good  pros- 
LS  in  doubt 
11  ey.  But, 
1  in  Boston 
ould  make 
it  till  sen- 
and  I  re- 
and  if  my 
t,  he  would 
9,  one  wa?* 
1 ;  and  be- 
1  of  Jesus, 
led  my  la- 
aber  of  the 

ingdom  in- 
his  forces, 
prejudice, 
)ort3  were 
he  revival, 
and  suffer- 
16  19th  of 

solemn  to 

who  was 

ng,  was  cut 

lose  pray- 

wliich  he 
(imediately 

returned 
)r  soul.  I 
3  appeared 
)r  pardon. 


of  Dec.  23,  we  enjoyed  a  heavenly  seiv.on  in 


the 


On  the  evenuig 
courts  of  our  God.  I  delivered  a  discourse  to  several  hunUreds, 
and  iiltcrward  a  large  number  spoke  of  the  goodness  of  Cloil:  oth- 
ers anxiously  desired  salvation,  and  |)rayed  for  a  pardon  of  their 
sins.  Before  the  clos(!  of  the  meeling,  which  was  at  two  in  the 
morning,  seven,  who  thus  wept  and  mourned,  were  brought  to  re- 
joice and  give  glory  to  God. 

.lanuary  1,  1822.  About  fifteen  had  professed  faith  in  Chriht. 
I  had  now  been  travelling  one  year  to  preach  the  gospel.  A  min- 
gled cup  of  joy  and  sorrow  had  been  my  i)ortion.  My  greatest  sor- 
row had  been,  to  see  poor  sinners  slight  the  Savior,  and  by  their 
mad  rejection,  prepare  themselves  for  eternal  wo  and  wretched- 
ness. 1  had  enjoyed  peace  of  mind,  in  warning  and  weeping  over 
them ;  and  feeling  encouraged  by  the  success  God  had  given  my 
labors,  1  determined  to  spend  my  lil'e  on  the  walls  of  Zion. 

The  work  of  God  continuing,  I  generally  held  from  seven  to  ten 
meetings  in  a  week.     At  the  York  school  house,  there  ^^ere  usually 
from  three  to  five,  and  sometimes  seven  hundred  people.     Once, 
after  jireaching  a  full  atonement  and  free  salvation,  I  was  opposed 
A       by  a  Calvinistic  preacher.     But  we  afterward  enjoyed  heavenly  re- 
-  freshing,  and  the  converts,  in  a  very  atfecting  manner,  frequently 

spoke  of  the  goodness  of  the  Lord.  In  an  evening  meeting,  si^iy 
spoke  of  the  goodness  of  God  after  sermon,  and  declared  that  they 
were  resolved,  through  grace,  to  persevere  in  obedience  to  the  com- 
mands of  the  dear  Redeemer.  Many  of  their  testimonies  were  in 
the  Spirit,  and  in  quick  succession.  But  in  the  latter  part  of  Jan- 
uary, this  happy  state  of  things  seemed  a  little  changed.  Certrin 
professed  ministers  of  the  Prince  of  peace  came  into  the  vicuiity  of 
the  revi\al,  an<l  preached  their  doctrines.  A  party  spirit  followed, 
and  hindered  the  work.  From  a  conviction  of  duty,  I  withdrew 
my  appointments  from  the  York  school  house,  and  went  into  the 
north  and  north-east  parts  of  the  town.  Here  sinners  began  to  cry 
for  mercy,  and  the  revival  spread.  Jan.  18,  at  a  meeting  in  Gor- 
don's settlement,  five  or  six  arose  and  said,  that  within  a  week  past 
they  had  found  Jesus. 

Jan.  19.  Having  labored  under  much  trial  on  account  of  a  tri- 
fling s[)irit,  which  frequently  influenced  my  conversation  and  de- 
portment, I  resolved  to  fiist  and  continue  in  prayer,  hoping  to  ob- 
tain victory  over  this  sinful  propensity.  AVith  this  resolution  I 
went  to  Eaton,  where  Elder  J.  Shaw,  a  preacher  of  the  Six  Prin- 
ciple Baptists,  had  solicited  an  appointment,  hoping  the  warnings  of 
a  youth  of  sixteen  might  touch  the  hearts  of  his  children,  for  none 
of  them  had  yet  been  converted.  I  held  two  meetings  in  that  town, 
and  felt  much  of  the  solemn  power  of  God.  The  spirit  of  truth  at- 
tended the  word  t<;  the  hearts  of  the  people.     A  few  were  awaken- 


4 


\'^ 


58 


MEMOIRS    OF 


cd,  who  covonaiitod  to  seek  tlie  Lord,  and  were  soon  linppy  in  tlic 
smiles  of  tlie  Savior.  Their  testimonies  were  blessed  to  the 
awakening  of  others,  and  this  good  work  eontinued,  till  about  fifty 
or  sixty  were  brought  into  the  fold  of  Christ.  Among  these,  ae- 
eording  to  the  liope  of  Elder  Shaw,  I  think,  were  two  or  three  of 
his  ehiklren.*  Leaving  Eaton  the  same  day,  I  held  a  meeting  at 
tlie  Baptist  Seminary  in  Hamilton.  On  the  next  evening,  I  preaeh- 
ed  in  Brook  field,  and  then,  having  fasted  fifty-five  hoiii*s,  and  feel- 
ing mneh  blessed  and  strengthened  of  the  Lord,  I  received  food. 
After  this  I  held  several  meetings,  m  which  the  power  of  God  was 
manifested. 

Six  weeks  had  now  passed  since  I  first  came  to  Brookfield, — in 
this  time  thirty-five  or  forty  i)rofessed  to  be  born  again.  I  also 
preached  frequently  in  other  places,  particularly  in  Plainfield,  and 
at  times  felt  much  of  tlie  j^resence  and  Spirit  of  God.  In  this  town, 
also,  a  few  were  converted,  and  a  number  of  wanderers  returned 
to  the  fold  of  Christ. 

At  the  close  of  a  meeting  I  spoke  to  a  young  woman  of  the  im- 
ix»rtance  of  being  prepared  to  meet  God,  but  she  treated  the  sol- 
emn subject  of  which  I  spoke,  with  a  degree  of  contempt  that  I  nev- 
er before  saw  equalled  by  one  of  her  age  and  sex.  Solemn  im- 
pressions concerning  her  situation,  filled  my  mind  with  awful 
weight ;  and  I  said  to  her,  I  greatly  fear  ^  \fyou  do  not  repent,  God 
will  take  you  from  time  in  less  than  a  year.  In  about  eight  months 
from  this,  as  she  was  spinning  at  her  wheel,  near  mid-day,  appai*- 
ently  in  health,  the  hand  of  distress  was  laid  upon  her.  She  left 
her  wheel — retired  to  the  bed — and  in  fiflteen  minutes  was  a  corpse  ! 
Thus  was  she  snatched  away  without  an  hour's  warning.  O,  how 
sudden  !  how  shocking  to  her  parents  and  relatives  !  To  them,  as 
Avell  as  to  her,  what  a  change  of  scene  is  presented — and  how  quick 
the  transition  !  The  daugliter,  whom  a  few  moments  before  they 
saw  in  health,  now  lies  cold  in  death.  The  wheel  at  which  she  was 
busied  is  still  in  its  place,  unmoved — and  the  roll  that  was  in  her 
hand,  still  hangs  from  the  spindle.  Ye  gay — ye  thoughtless  !— 
from  this  take  warning,  and  dare  not  to  trifle  with  your  God ! 

M.  Manrow  was  with  me  in  Brookfield  most  of  the  time,  and 
generally  took  part  in  the  meetings,  though  sometimes  he  made 
separate  appointments.  His  labors  seemed  to  be  useful ;  but,  with 
pain,  I  discovered  that  he  was  unstable,  and  trifling  in  his  conver- 
sation.    He   received  my  reproofs  kindly,  and  often  with  tears. 

*  An  individual  who  resided  in  Eaton  recently  told  me,  that  at  the  commencement  ot 
the  first  meeting  the  '■'■boy  preacher'^  held  in  Eaton,  he  arose  and  said  to  the  people, 
there  were  three  words  he  wished  them  to  remember.  These  were  '■'■death,  judsmenf 
and  eternitt/."  Such  was  the  solemnity  of  his  manner,  that  the  effect  on  the  assembly 
was  like  an  electric  shock.  Many  were  in  tears,  and  allerwards  several  of  the  convci't's 
dated  their  awakening  from  this  circumstance.     [Editress.] 


'. 


DAVID    MARKS. 


59 


ipy  in  the 
■d  to  the 
bout  fifty 
:hesc,  ae- 
•  tljrcc  of 
K'Ctiiig  at 
I  proach- 
and  f'eel- 
vcd  food. 
'  God  was 

Lfield, — in 
1.  I  also 
field,  and 
this  town, 
returned 

)f  the  im- 
i  the  sol- 
hat  I  nev- 
olemn  im- 
,'ith  awful 
pent,  God 
ht  months 
y,  appar- 
She  left 
a  corpse ! 
O,  how 
them,  as 
low  quick 
ore  they 
1  she  was 
vas  in  her 
htless  !— 
Dod! 
time,  and 
he  made 
but,  with 
is  conver- 
ith  tears. 


encenient  ol 
tlie  people, 
h,  judsrment 
he  assemMy 
the  convc'iU 


Viewinfif  his  soul  and  his  gifts  precious,  I  felt  to  treat  him  tenderly, 
hopinjr  lie  would  overcome  the  follies  of  his  youth,  liut  lus  he  was 
more  ready  to  hear  reproof  than  to  reform,  I  sometimes  regretted 
that  he  h.id  obtained  my  consent  to  travel  with  me. 

An  old  sleigh  and  two  or  three  dollars  were  given  us  in  Brook- 
field.  In  the  latter  part  of  January,  taking  leave  of  the  converts, 
we  proceeded  to  Ilardwick :  there  we  held  several  meetings  in  the 
Vhristiim  meeting  house,  and  one  in  the  Universalist.  In  the  lat- 
ter was  a  large  and  attentive  asseml)ly;  some  were  very  solemn, 
others  oppos(;d,  and  afterwards,  as  I  was  informed,  threatened  to 
beat  me.  After  holding  sevend  other  meetings  in  Ilardwick,  and 
enjoying  good  seasons,  we  attended  a  meeting  in  Canajohan'ie. 
Eight  came  forward  for  j»rayer.  One  promised  to  kneel  and  pray 
thrice  a  day  for  five  weeks,  who,  together  with  several  others,  was 
soon  converted.  Here  I  discovered  my  horse  was  sick ;  but  not 
having  money  to  get  him  kept  in  the  place,  we  proceeded  slowly 
twelve  miles  to  Charlestown,  and  held  one  meeting.  Then,  leav- 
ing my  horse  in  the  care  of  a  good  man,  we  pursued  our  journey 
on  foot. 

February  1,  we  walked  to  Rotterdam,  and  the  next  day  attend- 
ed meeting  with  the  Methodists  in  Schenectady.  We  went  home 
with  the  preacher,  and  I  desired  to  leave  an  appointment  at  his 
chapel,  to  attend  on  my  return.  After  examining  my  credentials, 
and  consulting  some  of  his  society,  he  told  me  they  had  concluded, 
a.s  I  was  a  boy,  and  could  not  injure  the  house,  to  grant  me  the 
privilege.  Proceeding  eastward,  we  crossed  the  Hudson,  passed 
through  Troy,  and  arrived  at  Brunswick  in  the  early  ])art  of  the 
evening.  Being  requested  to  hold  a  meeting,  immediate  notice 
was  given,  and  about  thirty  collected,  to  whom  I  spoke  with  free- 
dom. • 

In  the  morning  we  pursued  our  way,  but  my  mind  was  in  great 
trial,  from  the  singular  and  irreligious  deportment  of  the  youth  who 
accompanied  me.  His  levity  seemed  daily  to  increase,  and  I  now 
despaired  of  any  reform,  for  reproof  was  in  vain.  I  wept,  not  only 
for  his  soul,  but  for  my  own  misfortune,  in  having  fallen  into  com- 
pany that  was  worse  than  useless.  After  consideration,  I  told  him 
my  grievances,  and  my  wish  to  separate.  This  he  refused,  saying, 
"  I  can  travel  as  fast,  or  as  slow  as  you  can,  and  I  will  go  with  you 
to  Andover,  N.  H.  It  will  be  useless  for  you  to  contend  with  me, 
as  this  will  only  close  the  hearts  of  strangers."  I  attempted  to  sep- 
arate from  him,  but  he  prevailed.  So,  being  a  stranger,  and  with- 
out friends,  I  had  to  submit  to  his  will,  painful  as  it  was,  and  pa- 
tiently bear  with  him,  till  the  way  should  open  for  my  deliverance. 
We  tarried  the  ensuing  night  in  Bennington,  Vt.— the  next  day, 


': 


t  .\ 


60 


MEMOIRS    OF 


crossing  the  f'rcen  mountains,  we 


wiidod  through 


a  deep  snow  to 


i 


by  i 


Wihninglon. 

In  tlu'  m()i*!:infr,  Jiflrr  pMyliifr  our  last  money  for  the  night's  lo<lg- 
ing  and  a  tew  erat'kers,  we  went  to  IJrattleboro',  where  was  a  toil 
bridge  aeross  tlie  CoiuuM'tieut  river.  After  telling  the  toll  reeeiv- 
er  our  situation,  1  re(iu<'Hted  a  free  ])assage.  He  inquired  if  we 
had  money,  and  received  answer  that  we  liad  not.  He  then  asked 
me  of  my  business.  I  replied,  lam  trying  to  preach  the  gospel. 
"  What !  you  preach  ?"  said  he.  "  Who  sent  you  ?"  "  The  Lord, 
1  trust."  "What!"  he  rejoined,  "the  Lord  send  you  without 
money !  I  think  tluMi  He  is  a  poor  paymaster."  I  answered,  "  He 
sent  his  apostles  without  purse  or  scrij) ;  and  in  like  manner  I  think 
He  has  sent  me."  He  then  inquired,  "Have  you  any  friends  in 
the  place  from  which  you  came  ?"  "  I  believe  I  have,"  was  my 
reply.  He  then  remarked,  "  I  doubt  whether  you  have  any 
fnends ;  if  you  had,  they  would  have  provided  money  for  your  ex- 
})enses ;  I  guess  you  are  an  impostor."  On  my  ottering  to  show 
him  my  letters  of  commendation,  he  said,  "  I  don't  wish  to  see 
them ;  pay  your  toll  and  be  otf."  Again  I  told  him,  as  I  had  no 
money,  I  could  not.  In  a  maimer  too  abinipt  to  name,  he  bid  me 
say  no  more,  but  go  back  whence  I  came ;  then  he  fastened  the 
gate,  went  into  his  house  and  shut  the  door.  I  turned  away,  and 
leaned  over  the  railing  of  the  bridge.  The  recollection  of  days 
when  I  was  blessed  with  parental  care,  when  I  enjoyed  the  society 
of  friends  and  brethren  dear  to  my  heart,  and  reflections  on  my 
present  situation,  now  crowded  into  my  mind ;  the  contrast  over- 
powered my  feelings,  and  my  tears  mingled  with  the  stream. 
While  thus  venting  my  grief,  sevend  passed  the  gate.  At  length 
I  fell  on  my  knees,  and  besought  the  Lord  to  open  my  way,  pro- 
vided* he  had  sent  me ;  and  if  he  had  not,  I  desired  it  might  contin- 
ue to  be  hedged  up.  AV^hen  I  arose,  two  men  stood  behind  me, 
and  one  of  them  asked,  "  What  is  the  matter  ?"  I  replied,  "  I 
wish  to  pass  the  gate,  but  have  no  money."  He  then  paid  our  toll, 
which  1  think  was  not  more  than  four  cents ;  and  much  to  my  sur- 
prise, began  to  swear,  and  curse  the  gate  keeper  for  detaining  trav- 
ellers because  they  had  no  money.  This  has  reminded  me  of  the 
ravens  that  were  sent  to  feed  ILlijah,  when  the  Lord's  professed 
people  did  not;  and  also  of  the  Scripture,  Prov.  21:18,  which  saith, 
"  The  wicked  shall  be  a  ransom  for  the  righteous,  and  the  trans- 
gressor for  the  upright." 

We  had  now  entered  New  Hampshire,  and  were  both  weary  and 
hungry.  On  coming  to  a  large  house,  where  all  things  around 
indicated  that  the  inhabitant  was  wealthy,  I  thought  to  go  in  and 
beg  a  little  food ;  but  this  Scripture  occurring  to  mind,  ''  How 
hardly  shall  they  that  have  riches  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God," 


DAVII)   MARKS. 


61 


p  snow  to 

gilt's  lo«l^- 
was  a  toll 
;)ll  receiv- 
\\\d  if  we 
hen  asked 
ho  gospel, 
riie  Jjord, 
u  without 
!red,  "lie 
ler  I  think 
friends  in 
"  was  my 
have  any 
r  your  ex- 
g  to  show 
sh  to  see 
I  had  no 
he  bid  me 
stened  the 
iway,  and 
)n  of  days 
the  society 
ns  on  my 
rast  over- 
le  stream. 
At  length 
way,  pro- 
^ht  contin- 
ehind  me, 
?plied,  "I 
id  our  toll, 
0  my  sur- 
ining  trav- 
me  of  the 
professed 
lieh  saith, 
the  trans- 

kveary  and 
5s  around 
go  in  and 
id,  "'How 
of  God," 


we  passed  on,  and  wont  into  a  little  cottage,  whojse  appearance  he- 
spoke  poverty.  The  i)eople  fed  ns,  and  I  felt  to  thank  (iod.  Pro- 
ceeding a  few  miles  into  Chesterfield,  I  began,  as  the  sun  was  set- 
ting, to  seek  a  lodging ;  but  at  ever}'  house,  for  some  miles,  I  sought 
in  vain.  For  as  soon  as  they  learned  the  object  of  my  journey,  the 
repeated  answer  was,  "No."  Had  a  poor  drunkanl  asked  their 
charity,  doubtless  they  would  have  given  him  as  nuich  ns  a  cnist 
of  bread,  and  a  lodging  by  their  fire-side;  but  as  I  was  a  poor 
preacher,  of  a  dissentltuj  order,  to  me  they  would  grant  no  favors. 
Some  atteni[)ted  to  justify  their  conduct  by  this  Scrii)ture,  *•' i?e- 
ceire  them  not  into  yonr  house."" 

After  requesting  entertainment  at  a  certain  house,  being  asked 
of  my  business,  I  answered,  "  I  believe  the  Lord  has  called  mo  to 
labor  in  his  vineyard ;   and  in  ol)edience  to  this  recpiirement,    I  am 
endeavoring  to  preach  the  gospel."     Then  they  said  that  no  one 
should  preach  without  a  coUe<jiate  education  ;  and  that  such  charac- 
ters as  I  was  they  considen.'d  the  false  prophets,  that  should  come 
in  the  latter  days — and  on  such  they  should  bestow  no  favors.     It 
was  now  about  9  o'clock  in  the  evening ;  and  having  found  no  shel- 
ter, the  possibility  of  perishing  in  the  street  by  cold,  was  suggest- 
ed.    Without  asking  leave,   I  kneeled  down,   and  entreated  the 
Lord  that  my  way  might  be  opened;   or  if  I  must  perish,  that  I 
might  be  reconciled,  and  submit  to  my  fate  without  a  murmuring 
word,  or  a  repining  thought.     On  bidding  them  farewell,  the  wo- 
niiin  of  the  house  said,    "  Stop  a  minute,  I  wish  to  talk  with  you. 
AVliat  made  you  first  entertain  an  idea  that  the  Lord  had  called 
you  to  preach  ?"     I  answered,  "  The  impression  of  his  Spirit  on^,- 
my  mind,  and  its  agreement  with  the  Scriptures."     After  asking 
several  more  questions,  she  said,  "  You  may  stay  the  night,  pro- 
vided yo\i  will  be  civil,  conform  to  our  rules,  retire  in  season,  be 
locked  in  the  room,  and  at  11  o'clock  have  a  young  man  come  to 
your  apartment  and  lodge  with  you."     I  observed  that  we  wished 
to  leave  early  in  the  morning,  and  inquired  at  what  time  they  Mould 
l»-t  us  out.     She  replied,  ^^  At  our  oicn  time."     Not  choosing  to 
comply  ^vith  such  requisitions,  we  left  them. 

We  next  called  on  a  man  who  was  a  deacon.  He  asked  his  wife 
it  we  could  tarry,  but  she  refused  her  consent.  Being  busy,  he  had 
no  leijiure  to  make  further  inquiries  ;  but  giving  us  a  piece  of  mon- 
ney,  said,  "  You  can  provide  lodgings  with  that."  I  thanked  both 
him  and  my  Heavenly  Father,  and  obtained  lodgings  at  the  next 
house.  We  retired  to  rest  without  any  refreshment,  and  in  the 
morning  our  hostess,  who  was  a  widow,  kindly  gave  us  breakfast. 
And  with  a  heart  glowing  with  gratitude  to  Him  who  hears  the 
young  ravens  when  they  cry,  I  went  on  to  Sullivan,  and  there 
preached  Jesus.  The  following  day  we  proceeded  to  Bradford, 
6 


i 


>' 


"'nm 


62 


MEMOIRS    OF 


tarried  with  a  Freewill  Baptist  deacon,  who  treated  us  courteously. 
We  spent  the  next  ni^ht  in  Wilinot,  with  a  hrothcr  who  reeeivi-d 
us  att'ectionately,  and  my  heart  was  comforted  l)cn«'ath  his  roof.  A 

Feb.  10,  was  the  Sabbath,  an<l  finding  a  eonfj^rcpition  in  Ando- 
ver,  Ji88enjblcd  to  hear  Kid.  .lesse  Thompson,  we  went  in,  stran- 
gers to  all  present,  and  took  a  seat.  At  the  close  of  his  sermon,  I 
made  a  lew  n^marks.  'J'his  meetin<»  was  very  solemn  and  refresh- 
ing. In  th(!  afternoon.  Elder  Thompson  invitcfd  me  to  address  the 
people.  In  com[)liance  with  tlu^  invitation,  1  opened  my  mouth, 
and  the  Lord  gave  utterance  ;  he  made  his  word  ii.s  sharp  arrows 
in  the  hearts  of  his  enemies,  and  almost  every  fiwe  was  bedewed 
with  tears.  Near  the  close  of  the  exercises,  about  one  hundred,  on 
Ijeing  requested,  arose  to  manifest  tlunr  d«'sires  to  find  Jesus.  In 
the  evening  I  attended  a  conference  meeting,  and  the  next  day 
preached  in  a  ball-room.  Several,  humbling  themselves,  bowed 
with  Christians  in  time  of  devotion. 

About  this  time,  Moses  Manrow  left  me.  He  now  took  his  own 
course ;  soon  became  irreligious,  and  at  length  a  ba^e  impostor. 
May  God  save  me,  and  all  who  read  this,  from  pride,  "  the  snare 
of  the  fowler,"  which  effected  the  downfall  of  this  youth,  who  but 
for  this,  might  have  been  a  burning  light. 

During  the  four  days  following,  I  held  two  meetings  in  Wilmot. 
two  in  Sutton,  in  which  several  kneeled  for  prayers,  one  in  Spring- 
field, and  on  the  16th  of  the  month,  went  to  Enfield,  and  tarried 
the  night  with  Elder  E.  Chase,  editor  of  the  Religious  Informer.  |K 

Sunday,  Feb.  17,  Elder  J.  Thompson  preached  at  Enfield,  in  a 
ball-room :  after  sermon,  I  gave  an  exhortation ;  and  in  the  even- 
ing enjoyed  a  solemn  season  at  Canaan,  while  entreating  sinners 
to  be  reconciled  to  God.  Next  morning,  I  left  without  breakfast, 
having  twelve  or  fourteen  miles  to  walk  before  ten  o'clock.  After 
going  nine  miles  through  the  deep  and  drifted  snow,  my  strength 
was  nearly  exhausted ;  but  embracing  an  opportunity  to  ride  the 
rest  of  the  way,  I  reached  my  appointment.  The  Lord  gave  me 
freedom  in  speaking  from  Romans  9:13,  "Jacob  have  I  loved,  but 
Esau  have  I  hated :"  and  my  soul  was  filled  with,  joy  inexpressi- 
ble. Many  wept,  and  I  believe  good  was  done.  In  the  evening, 
we  enjoyed  a  solemn  season  in  the  south  part  of  Wilmot.  TIfp 
four  days  following,  I  spent  in  Andover,  and  attended  six  meet- 
ings, in  which  were  appearances  of  good  ;  but  not  so  much  prop-  JS 
pect  of  a  revival  as  had  been  expected.  Feb.  23,  I  held  another 
meeting  in  "Wilmot ;  the  day  following  in  Springfield,  and  my  soul 
was  filled  with  the  joys  of  the  heavenly  world. 

I  was  now  about  to  return  to  New  York.  The  people  here  had 
received  me  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  shown  me  great  kind- 
ness.    I  came  to  them  penniless ;  but,  through  their  liberality,  1 


%' 


i 


D  roc('iv««l 
is  roof. 

in  AikIo- 
t  in,  Htrun- 
i  scrinoii,  I 
n<l  ref'rcsh- 
uldn^ss  the 
my  mouth, 
arp  urrows 
I.S  be(lewt'<l 
lundred,  on 
Jesus.     In 

next  day 
^ea,   bowed 

lok  Ilia  own 
3  impostor. 
"  the  snare 
:h,  who  but 

in  Wilmot. 
»in  Springr- 
md  tarried 
informer, 
nfield,  in  a 
n  the  even- 
inj:^  sinner? 
t  breakfast, 
lek.  Aft<»r 
ly  strfcugtli 

to  ride  the 
\  gave  me 

loved,  but 
inexpressi- 
le  evening, 
mot.     The 

six  meet- 
nuch  prop- 
Id  another 
nd  my  soul 

le  here  had 
great  kind- 
liberaUty,  1 


DAVin    MARKfl. 


6a 


^Bl 


]i:id  now  SIO.  My  prayer  was,  that  God  would  reward  them; 
i;»r  1  brlieved,  agreeably  to  tlie  words  of  Christ,  Matt.  10:42. 
*•  Whosoever  shall  give  to  drink  unto  one  of  these  little  ones  a  cup 
of  eold  water  only,  in  the  luune  of  a  diseiplr,  shall  not  lose  his  re- 
war«l." 

Monday,  Feb.  2r».  I  eommeneed  my  jounu'y  ;  having  a  chain  of 
appnintincuts  foin-  hundred  and  filly  mih-s  in  length,  and  some  of 
iiiiM'  months   standing.      The  day   before,  consi<lerable  snow  had 
fallen,  and  tlu;  wind  blew,  so  that  in   some   jdaees,  the   road   wa.s 
tilled  to  the  tops  of  the  fences ;  yet  I  was  enabled  to  walk  twenty- 
two  mil)  s,,  and  attend   three   appointments.     The   following  day, 
jiftcr  travelling  fifteen   miles   to  Washington,  1  found  that  1  could 
not  get  to  my  appointment  in  setison,  and  hired  a  man  to  carry  me 
four  miles:  still  it  was  eight  miles  further  and  the  road  not  broken. 
I'roceeding  slowly,  I  arrived  at  the  meeting   about  seven   in   the 
evening.     The  house  was  filled    with    people,    and    I    commenced 
sp<'aking;  but  was  soon  interrupted  by  some  that  came  to  make 
disturbance.     I  entreated  them  to  behave  with  decency,  but  they 
were  the  more  outrageous,  jmd   swore   viohmtly.      Some   present 
threatened   them    with   prosecution   if  they   did  not  desist ;  upon 
which,  one  laid  aside  his  coat  to  fight.      Atler  expostulating  with 
them  a  considerable  time,  and  being  convinced  that  all  attempts  to 
persumle  them  to  order    would  be  useless,  I  left  the  assembly,  and 
it  s(X)n  dispersed.     This  meeting  was  in  Stoddard,  N.  II.,  and  the 
only  one  of  my  appointments  that  was  ever  broken  up  by  the    un- 
godly :  probably  this  would  not  have  been,  had  not  the  disturbers 
been  drunken. 

I  went  to  the  tavern,  and  some  of  the  assembly  followed,  wish- 
ing me  to  preach  there  ;  but  the  gang  pursued  us,  and  soon  all  was 
confusion.  Some  who  appeared  friendly  observed,  that  as  I  wa^ 
a  stranger  and  had  suffered  abuse,  they  would  make  a  contribution, 
as  a  kind  of  compensation.  To  this  I  objected.  A  few  cents 
were  offered  me,  which  I  chose  not  to  accept ;  being  resolved,  if 
the  people  would  not  hear  my  Master's  word,  to  receive  none  of 
their  substance.  O  the  grief  of  my  heart,  while  witnessing  the 
rebellion  of  this  people  !  My  soul  mourned,  and  my  eyes  ran 
down  with  tears.  1  left  the  place,  and  walking  five  miles  further, 
stopped  for  the  night ;  but  in  the  morning,  finding  that  amid  the 
troubles  of  the  preceding  evening,  a  bundle  of  my  clothes  had 
been  left  at  the  tavern,  I  hired  a  horse,  and  after  returning  for  them, 
proceeded  again  on  foot. 

The  road  being  muddy,  and  the  remaining  snow  melting,  I  was 
much  fatigued.  All  things  appeared  gloomy ;  and  for  miles  I 
strewed  my  path  with  tears.  Then,  sitting  down  by  the  way  side 
to  rest  my  weary  lunbs,  I  thought  of  home,^-of  the  great  and  im- 


u 


MEMOIRS    OF 


portant  work  in  which  I  wa^  engugeil ;  the  powci*s  of  unbelief; 
and  the  hardness  of  men's  hearts.  O,  liow  insufficient  to  preach 
the  gospel,  did  I  feel!  But,  while  reflecting  that  the  Lord's 
strength  is  made  perfect  in  weakness,  in  those  whom  he  sends ; 
that  he  knows  all  the  sorrows  of  his  children ;  that  he  liath  said, 
"•  Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world," — a 
voice  whispered,  "  Mt/  grace  is  siifficie)it  for  thee."  My  heart  was 
comforted. 

Feb.  28,  I  preached  in  Chesterfield,  near  the  manufactory,  to  an 
attentive  assembly  and  enjoyed  the  presence  of  my  Master.  In 
the  west  part  of  the  town,  after  rising  a  hill  near  Connecticut  riv- 
er, I  saw,  in  a  vale  before  me,  a  large  assembly  in  front  of  a  house  : 
I  recollected  kneeling  and  praying  near  that  place,  four  weeks  i)re- 
vious,  and  making  an  appointment  for  a  boy  of  sixteen  to  prem'h  at 
this  hour.  Some,  as  they  were  passing  by,  heard  it,  and  circulated  the 
notice  quite  largely.  As  I  approached  the  crowd,  an  aged,  grave,  and 
neatly  dressed  gentleman,  met  me;  and  inquired  if  I  was  the  young 
man  who  appointed  that  meeting  ;  being  answered  in  the  affirma- 
tive, he  invited  me  to  follow  him.  The  people  giving  jdace,  we 
came  to  the  door  of  the  house,  which  was  already  full.  lie  hand- 
ed me  his  Bible,  and  placed  a  chair  upon  the  door  step.  Standing 
m  the  chair,  I  spoke  from  the  Scripture,  ^^ Many  are  called,butfew 
are  chosen"  Matt.  22:14.  I  endeavored  to  show  wdio  are  called, 
even  all  that  are  afar  off  by  wicked  works,  according  to  the  invita- 
tion of  Scripture,  Isa.  45:22.  "  Look  unto  me,  and  he  ye  saved, 
all  the  ends  of  the  earth  ;  for  I  am  God  and  there  is  none  else." 
Then  I  attempted  to  show,  that  they  who  are  chosen,  are  chosen 
"  through  sanetification  of  the  Spirit,"  and  belief  of  the  truth — 
that  they  must  believe,  before  they  can  become  the  chosen  of  the 
Lord;  and  that  the  reason  that feio  are  chosen,  is,  that  few  will 
hear  or  obey  tlui  call.  Much  solemnity  rested  on  the  assembly,  and 
the  greater  part  seemed  deeply  affected.  At  the  close  of  the  meet- 
ing, the  gentleman  before  named,  returned  thanks  to  the  Lord, — 
for  the  happy  disappointment  they  had  met  with — that  the  young 
man,  instead  of  ridiculing  the  religion  of  Jesus,  as  they  had  feared 
he  wouhl,*  had  come  with  tears,  entreating  his  fellow  youth  to 
be  reconciled  to  Grod — and  besought  the  Lord  to  impress  the  sol- 
emn truth  they  had  heard  upon  their  minds.  He  then  proposed  a 
contril)ution,  and  several  dollars  were  given  me.  I  was  informed 
that  this  gentleman  was  a  preacher,  and  an  officer  of  a  literary  ui- 


*  From  the  novelty  of  the  appoiniincnt  made  as  above  naine<l,  for  a  boy  of  sixteen  to 
prench,  n  larj^e  roncourse  of  people  were  expected  to  nssenible.  And  ns  the  fUends  oi 
religion  feared  tliat  either  the  boy  would  not  attend,  or,  if  he  shonld  attend,  that  his  ob- 
ject nii({ht  be  to  ridicule  religion,  they  had  solicited  this  traveller  (o  delay  his  journey  m 
day,  and  attend  this  meeting,  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  order,  and  of  preaching  to 
the  people  if  circumstances  should  require. 


DAVID   MARKS. 


05 


unbelief ; 

)   preach 
3    Lord's 

'r 

e  sends  ; 

S 

ath  said, 

k 

orld,"     a 

-.v! 

leart  was 

1 

)r} ,  to  an 

ft 

ter.      In 

M 

;licut  riv- 

n 

'  a  house : 

M 

eeks  pre- 

m 

jircfu'h  at 
ulated  the 

1 

i!;rave,and 

m 

the  young 
;  affirma- 

I 

place,  we 

9 

lie  hand- 

H 

Standing 

9 

'd^hutfew 
re  called. 

'4 

he  invita- 

:V; 

ye   saved, 

4 

one   else." 

1 

•e   chosen 

'  'Ih 

3  truth — 

'fl 

;n   of  the 

«fl 

few   will 

fl 

nbly,  and 

fl 

the  meet- 

>fl 

B  Lord, — 

1 

he  young 
lad  feared 

1 

r  youth  to 
3  the  sol- 

1 

iroposed  a 
informed 

1 

terary  in- 

1 

of  sixteen  to 

'i 

10   ft-iciulH   01 
,  that  his  nli- 

^ 

m  journey  :i 
proncliing  to 

■1 

go- 


stltution  of  distinction  in  New  England,  and  that  he  was  now 
ing,  in  company  with  his  wife,  to  visit  his  friends  in  Vermont.  On 
leaving  the  phi'ce,  he  carried  me  in  his  sleigh  two  miles,  invited  me 
to  go  home  witli  him,  anfl  said  he  would  give  ten  dollars  toward 
my^support  at  school.  As  I  did  not  incline  to  his  proposal,  he  then 
said,  he  woidd  himself  give  me  sL\  months'  support  at  college,  tmd 
that  a  whole  course  of  collegiate  study  should  be  provided  me  free 
ol"  expense,  if  I  would  return  with  him.  But  having  appoint- 
ments, and  feeling  no  liberty  to  leave  the  work  to  which  God  had 
called  me,  I  expressed  my  mind,  acknowledged  his  kindness,  and  told 
him  I  could  not  accept  his  generous  offer.  lie  then  remarked, 
that  education  was  good,  and  very  necessary ;  although  without  it, 
men  called  of  God,  might  be  useful.  To  these  remarks,  I  assent- 
ed ;  and  would  gladly  have  accepted  his  proposal,  could  I  have 
done  it  without  the  sacrifice  of  my  peace.  Science  may  gain  the 
favor  of  man — find  access  to  the  hearts  of  many,  and  may  often 
extend  the  preacher's  usefulness.  But  the  path  of  duty  appeared 
to  lead  me  in  a  more  humble  and  self-denying  way ;  to  go  to  the 
poor  and  the  ignorant ; — to  tell  them,  in  my  sunple  huiguage,  that  Je- 
sus died  for  sinners,  and  exhort  them  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come. 
On  parting,  lie  gave  me  good  counsel,  and  bade  me  "  God  speed." 
I  then  crossed  the  Connecticut  and  "West  rivers,  and  found  a 
large  assembly  in  Dummerston,  almost  weaiy  of  waiting  for  me. 
The  Lord  gave  me  a  message  to  the  people.  Here  was  a  church 
that  liad  left  the  Cahnnistic  Baptists,  and  declared  themselves 
Fi'ceicill  Baptists  ;  though  they  knew  no  denomination  professing 
their  sentiments.  When  they  first  separated,  their  number  was 
snuill ;  but  now  it  had  increased  to  eighty,  and  several  other  con- 
siderable churches  had  united  with  them.  Elders  Mann  and 
Wells  had  the  care  of  them  ; — ^like  other  dissenters,  they  had  been 
much  persecuted.  They  received  me  gladly ;  and  we  found  we 
were  of  one  heart,  of  one  soul,  and  spoke  the  same  thing.  These 
churches  afterward  united  with  the  Freewill  Baptist  denomina- 
tion. 

March  1.  In  "^Farlborough,  Vennont,  I  spoke  to  a  few;  of  these, 
some  laughed,  and  some  wept.  The  next  day,  I  crossed  the  Green 
iMountains  to  Bennington  ;  and  the  day  following  went  to  Iloosac, 
>\  here  I  had  made  an  appointment  at  the  Baptist  meeting  house, 
provided  the  church  should  be  willing  I  should  preach  in  it ;  oth- 
erwise, it  was  to  be  in  the  highway.  Tliis  day  being  the  Sabbath, 
the  church,  after  consulting  together,  concluded,  that  as  I  could  not 
liarm  the  house,  I  might  address  the  people.  Putting  my  trust  in 
the  Lord,  I  spoke  on  the  subject  of  the  resurrection.  March  4,  at 
a  meeting  in  Brunswick,  the  Lord  gave  me  much  of  his  Spirit,  and 


touched  the  hearts  of  the  hearers. 
6* 


Two  dollars  were  here  given  me. 


mm 


66 


MEMOIRS    OP 


*  iSI 


March  5.  I  had  an  appointment  at  the  court  house  in  Troy. 
On  my  arrival,  findhig  the  door  closed  against  me,  I  gave  notice 
that  1  would  preach  on  the  steps  in  fifteen  minutes.  But  before 
the  time  expired,  the  door  was  opened,  a  number  assembled,  and 
I  spoke  to  tliem  according  to  the  grace  given  me.  A  well  dressed 
gentleman,  having  a  large  ivory-headed  cane,  hung  by  a  ribbon  on 
his  wrist,  sat  just  before  me,  and  seemed  to  hear  and  look  very 
earnestly.  At  first,  he  appeared  to  me  like  "some great  one,"  who 
thought,  by  his  presence,  to  embarrass  me ;  and  to  my  sorrow  I 
found  myself  somewhat  intimidated  ;  but  remembering  that  men 
are  only  dust,  and  that  the  servant  of  the  Most  High  should  not 
fear  the  face  of  clay,  my  mind  was  measurably  relieved  of  its  em- 
barrassment. When  the  meeting  closed,  he  beckoned  to  me,  observ- 
ing that  he  wished  some  conversation.  Following  him  two  rods 
from  the  court  house,  he  stopped  on  the  side  walk,  raised  his  hand, 
and  in  an  elevated  tone  of  voice,  said ;  "  /  am  a  Methodist 
preacher  in  this  city,  and  yonr  fnend; — I  advise  yon  lo  go  home 
and  stay  there  till  you  can  preach.  You  may  preach  till  you  are 
as  old  as  Methuselah,  and  you  will  never  do  any  good,  vtiless  you 
preach  better  than  you  have  to-day."  He  then  left  me  without  fur- 
ther ceremony.  I  stood  amazed,  and  a  flood  of  tears  bursting 
from  my  eyes,  gave  some  relief  to  my  wounded  spirit.  Gladly 
would  I  have  taken  his  advice,  if  I  could  have  enjoyed  peace  in  so 
doing.  But  my  commission  had  not  been  received  from  man,  nei- 
ther could  it  be  recalled  by  man ;  and  the  path  of  duty  had  been 
made  too  plain  for  me  to  doubt  at  this  time.  A  friend  solicited 
me  to  go  to  his  house  and  take  refreshment ;  but  an  appointment 
necessitated  me  to  decline.  We  walked  a  little  distance  in  com- 
pany, and  he  inquired,  "  What  said  our  preacher  to  you  ?"  I  gave 
no  answer  till  he  remarked,  they  feared  he  had  said  something  that 
would  occasion  me  a  trial.  I  then  stated  his  remarks  ;  upon  which 
he  appeared  grieved,  and  observed,  "  He  will  hear  of  this  again." 
In  an  affectionate  manner,  he  gave  me  good  advice,  and  said,  "  Do 
not  be  discouraged,  but  do  what  you  think  to  be  duty  ;"  then  bid- 
ding me  "  God  speed,"  we  parted.  This  man  was  a  citizen  of 
Troy,  and  a  justice  of  the  peace.  I  understood  that  for  many 
years,  he  had  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist  society,  and  for 
some  time  a  class  leader.  Some  others  invited  me  to  tbeir  hous- 
es, and  on  parting,  left  some  small  pieces  of  money  in  my  hand. 

At  this  time,  the  ice  in  the  Hudson  was  broken  up,  and  floating 
down  the  stream,  rendered  the  crossing  so  dangerous,  that  the  ferry- 
man durst  not  venture  with  me  till  evening;  then  without  difliculty  we 
reached  the  opposite  shore.  The  mud  was  deep,  and  the  tra\  elling 
quite  fatiguing ;  I  succeeded,  however,  in  meeting  my  appointment 
the  next  morning  in  Schenectady.      On  the  day  following,  I  went 


■^- 


DAVID   MARK3. 


67 


in  Troy. 
,ve  notice 
ut  before 
bled,  and 
:11  dressed 
ribbon  on 
look  very 
one,"  who 
sorrow  I 
that   men 
liould  not 
of  its  em- 
le,  observ- 
two  rods 
his  hand, 
Methodist 
go  home 
II  you  are 
niess  you 
thoiit  fur- 
bursting 
Gladly 
eace  in  so 
man,  nei- 
had  been 
solicited 
jointment 
e  in  com- 
I  ga^  e 
hiiig  tlijit 
)on  which 
again." 
aid,  "  Do 
(hen  bid- 
•itizen  of 
or  man}' 
and  for 
jeir  hous- 

liand. 
i  floating 
he  ferry- 
iculty  we 
ravelling 
lointment 
u,  I  went 


to  Florida,  and  ^.reached  to  a  solemn  assembly  in  a  ball  room.  The 
Schoharrie  bridge  had  been  carried  away  by  a  late  flood,  which 
obliged  me  to  disappoint  two  congregations.  Walking  up  the  creek 
nine  miles  in  the  early  part  of  the  evening,  I  crossed  on  Burton's 
biidge ;  and  then  walked  seven  miles  further,  to  Dea.  Campbell's, 
in  Chark'stown ;  where,  at  a  late  hour,  they  received  me  affection- 
ately. Here,  1  found  my  horse  had  been  verj-  sick,  and  was  now 
hardly  fit  for  use.  I  held  a  meeting  in  this  place,  and  a  good  sea- 
sun  was  enjoyed.  The  people  were  very  kind,  and  communicated 
considc'vabie,  for  which  I  felt  grateful. 

I  next  held  meetings  in  Canajoharrie,  Hardwick,  and  Winfield. 
Sabbath,  March  10,  I  spoke  to  an  a.ssembly  of  several  hundred  in 
lirookfield.  The  converts,  with  api)arent  gladness,  welcomed  my 
return  ;  and  many  of  them  appeared  much  engaged.  Several,  who 
were  mouniing  for  their  sins  when  I  left  the  town'  the  winter  be- 
fore, w(!re  now  happy  in  the  Lord. 

On  ^londay  morning  I  left  early,  having  an  appointment  at  the 
Baptist  Seminary  in  Iliunilton,  at  9  o'clock,  A.  M.  AVhen  within 
three  miles  of  the  place,  as  I  was  riding  down  a  hill  on  a  quick 
step,  my  horse  stumbled,  and  I  fell  on  my  head ;  but  rising  hnme- 
diately  on  my  feet,  a  violent  pain  caused  by  the  fall,  depri\ed  me 
of  strtngth,  and  I  fell  into  a  ditch  by  the  side  of  the  road.  The 
air  appeared  to  me  full  of  fire,  and  very  thing  had  a  fieiy  and  un- 
natural appearance.  My  mind  wa^  red — feelings  of  insensibility 
fast  stole  upon  me  ; — and,  concluding  death's  cold  hand  was  abdut 
to  release  my  soul  from  its  house  of  clay,  in  my  thoughts  I  bade 
adieu  to  the  world  with  its  sorrows: — a  calm  peace  filled  my 
soul,  and  in  a  moment  I  wjis  senseless.  The  next  I  knew,  a  stran- 
ger stood  behind  me,  supporting  me  in  his  arms.  He  had  seen  me 
fall,  and  had  taken  me  up,  expecting  T  was  dead.  But  much  to  the 
surprise  of  myself  and  others,  I  so  far  recovered  that  I  was  able  to 
ride  on  a  slow  walk  to  my  appointment,  about  an  hour  after  the 
time.  I  sj>oke  from  IMatt.  24:41 ;  "  Therefore  heyeaho  ready :  for 
in  such  an  hour  as  ye  think  not  the  Son  of  man  cometh"  To  me 
this  was  a  solemn  meeting,  and  the  audience  seemed  gi^C'^tly  affect- 
ed. At  the  close,  a  young  man  desired  me  to  pray  with  him,  and 
sai<l  he  was  resolved  to  seek  the  Lord.  During  })r  .yer,  he  kneel- 
ed in  th(i  jn'esence  of  the  assembly,  and  soon  after  found  peace  in 
believing.  In  the  after  part  of  the  day,  thongli  the  travelling  was 
very  bad,  several  hundred  assembled  in  Katon,  to  whom  1  spoke 
^^  it h  much  freedom.     Scores  wept  profusely,  and  sighed  for  sal va- 

meetincr  in  the 


forty 


l)ray> 


pray( 


eveinng,  twenty-five  promised,  by  giving  me  their  hand  as  a  sign, 
to  seek  the  Savior. 


68 


MEMOIRS   OP 


.4F^ 


Leaving  Eaton,  I  held  several  meetings  in  Georgetown  and 
Nelson  ;  and  in  the  latter  phice  met  with  opposition  from  the  wick- 
ed. My  labors  in  Nelson  seemed  to  me  almost  lost ;  but  a  minis- 
ter who  resided  in  that  vicinity  has  since  told  me  that  he  bai)tized 
several,  who  dated  their  awakening  at  the  meeting  which  was  so 
disturbed  by  the  ungodly.  How  little  does  the  sower  know,  when 
he  sows  the  seed,  which  shall  prosper  "  this  or  that  ;  or  whether 
they  both  shall  be  alike  good."  Often  the  servant  of  Christ,  after 
dispensing  the  word,  groans  within  himself  and  sighs,  while  he  is 
tempted  to  believe  his  labor  has  been  in  vain  ;  but  the  promise  is 
sure,  "  lie  that  goeth  forth  and  weepeth,  bearing  precious  seed, 
shall,  doubtless,  come  again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  his  sheaves 
With  him."     Psalm  126:6. 

On  Thursday,  I  preached  at  Manlius  Square,  and  during  a  stay 
of  three  days,  attended  eight  meetings  in  Mimlius  township.  Some 
were  awtikened,  and  eleven  or  twelve  solemnly  engaged  to  attend 
to  "life's  great  concern."  Sunday,  March  17,  I  held  two  meetings : 
the  latter  in  Gettysburg  was  a  favored  season.  The  next  day,  I 
arrivedat  my  father's,  having  been  absent  four  months  and  six  days. 
In  this  time  I  had  seen  much  of  the  glory  of  God,  and  his  won- 
derful works  among  the  children  of  men.  My  Heavenly  Father 
had  watched  over  me,  and  supplied  my  Avants,  and  now  permitted 
me  to  return  in  peace,  to  my  surviving  parent.  Blessed  be  the 
Lord  for  all  his  tender  mercies. 

Having  used  the  utmost  economy  in  my  expenses,  and  carefully 
guarded  the  small  pieces  of  money  given  me  in  different  places,  I 
found  enough  remaining  to  pay  for  my  horse  ;  and  I  felt  to  praise 
God,  and  adore  his  providence  in  thus  opening  my  way  to  travel 
and  publish  salvation. 


m 

':'>*: 


^^^ 

-!?& 


?town  and 
I  tlie  wiok- 
t  a  ininis- 
e  baj)tized 
ch  was  so 
low,  wlion 
•  whethei- 
irist,  after 
'liile  he  is 
>romise  is 
ious  seed, 
is  sheaves 


o  a  s^«y 


UlfJ 

p.  Some 
to  attend 
meetings : 
xt  day,  I 
1  six  days. 
I  his  won- 
ly  Father 
permitted 
d  be  the 

carefully 
places,  I 
to  praise 
to  travel 


J* 


DAVID    MARKS.  69 

CHArTER  VII. 

7'/ie  particulars  of  my  travels  and  hihorsfor  nearly  three  months 
after  my  return  from  New  Hampshire. 

During  a  slay  of  six  days  in  Junius,  I  attended  four  meetings  ; 
then  leaving  home  on  Tuesday,  March  20,  went  to  Scipio,  and 
there  saw  my  youngest  brother  ;  and  thence  Avent  to  Genoa,  where 
my  sister  resided.  While  with  them,  my  feelings  were  pained,  and 
my  heart  was  sad,  as  their  presence  called  to  mind  the  change  death 
had  made  in  my  father's  family  ;  and  although  I  had  good  reason 
to  Ix'lieve  they  were  committed  to  the  care  of  those  who  treated 
them  kindly,  yet  the  reflection  that  they  were  motherless,  almost 
overpowered  my  feelings. 

Tarrying  in  Scipio  and  Genoa  a  few  days,  I  held  ten  meetings, 
in  some  of  which  the  power  of  God  was  manifested.  On  Monday 
evening,  April  1st,  I  preached  to  a  solenm  and  attentive  assembly 
in  Dryden  ;  and  the  next  day  in  Candor,  where  I  enjoyed  the  sweet 
presence  of  my  Mtister.  Some  were  awakened,  and  soon  found 
Jesus. 

From  Candor,  I  went  to  Owego  creek,  and  attended  four  meet- 
ings ;  thence  to  Caroline  and  preached  thrice.  In  the  last  meeting, 
a  number  were  seriously  concerned  for  their  etenial  Avelfare,  and 
bowed  the  knee  while  we  pleaded  for  mercy  in  their  behalf.  Some 
were  soon  brought  to  sing  pi'aises  to  the  Redeemer.  On  the  even- 
ing of  the  same  da}',  I  preached  again  in  Candor,  and  the  Spirit 
gave  utterance.  The  pov  cr  of  the  Highest  gladdened  the  hearts 
of  his  saints,  while  sinners  trembled  under  his  mighty  hand.  -It 
was  a  time  of  mourning  and  weeping,  of  joy  and  gladness.  Eight 
were  awakened,  and  with  four  otlier  mourners,  bowed  for  the  first 
time,  at  mercy's  altar.  Some  of  these  were  of  the  first  respecta- 
bility in  Society,  soon  became  happy  and  sung  the  praises  of 
Emmanuel. 

Monday,  April  8,  I  held  a  meeting  in  Owego ;  then  crossing  the 
Susfiuehanna,  entered  Pennsylvania,  preached  once,  then  returned 
and  spoke  at  the  Gaskill  ferry.  Many  appeared  to  receive  the 
word  with  gladness.  Crossing  the  Susquehanna  again,  I  preached 
a  second  time  in  the  village  of  Owego.  A  considerable  assembly 
was  present,  and  some  heard  with  candor,  while  others,  like  Gallio, 
cared  for  none  of  these  things.  After  this,  I  attended  a  meeting  in 
Berkshire  ;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  10th,  though  very  rainy,  a 
large  number  assembled  near  Owego  creek.  The  Lord  gave  me  a 
message,  and  directed  it  to  the  hearts  of  the  people.     In  the  after- 


70 


MKMOmS    OF 


noon  I  preached  again,  and  in  tlie  evening  held  a  meeting  in  Cai*- 
ohne.  Here  twenty-two  covenanted  to  kneel  and  pray  twice  a  day 
for  three  weeks,  and  gave  me  their  hands  as  a  t<jken.  INIany  of 
these  seemed  to  be  deeply  sensible  of  their  lost  situation  without 
the  Savior. 

Thursday,  I  enjoyed  a  precious  season  in  Candor  while  preach- 
ing Christ.  Seven  told  me,  that  since  my  last  meeting  in  that 
I)lace  they  had  found  Jesus,  and  Avere  happy  in  his  love.  In  a 
meeting  the  next  day,  I  was  especially  favored  with  the  Divine 
presence,  and  heard  seven  declare  their  determination  to  seek  the 
Lord.  Saturday,  I  rode  twenty-three  miles  to  Berkshire,  and  in 
the  evening,  spoke  the  word  with  freedom.  Many  appeared  ten- 
der, and  four  desired  the  prayers  of  Christians. 

Sunday,  April  14,  I  held  three  meetings  ;  one  in  Candor,  and 
two  fifteen  miles  distant ;  and  the  next  day  attended  meeting  in 
Candor.  Another  soul  had  been  brought  into  the  liberty  of  the 
gospel.  After  sennon,  we  walked  to  the  stream,  and  a  solemn  con- 
gregation crowded  its  banks.  Elder  G.  baptized  nine  of  the  con- 
verts, who  came  up  out  of  the  water  happy,  and  rejoicing  in  God. 
Sinners  wept  as  they  beheld  the  scene  ;  and  soon  after  leaving  the 
w  ater,  one  heavy  laden  soul  came  into  the  liberty  of  the  gospel. 
In  the  evening,  the  cries  of  penitents  still  saluted  our  ears. 

Tuesday,  I  again  spoke  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  a  few  came 
forward  for  prayers,  some  of  whom  appeared  to  be  not  far  from 
the  kingdom  of  God.  The  day  following,  while  speaking  the  word 
on  the  Shendaken  creek,  the  power  of  God  descended  on  the  peo- 
ple. Those  who  had  neglected  the  Savior,  saw  the  awful  nature 
of  sin:  and  a  view  of  its  consequences  caused  many  to  sigh.  Sev- 
eral gave  me  their  hands,  desiring  to  be  remembered  at  the  throne 
of  grace.  In  the  evening,  I  preached  in  Candor,  and  a  number 
of  converts,  for  the  first  time,  confessed  Christ. 

At  a  meeting  during  the  revival  in  Candor,  it  was  impressed  on  my 
mind  after  preaching,  to  say  to  the  people,  that  I  believed  a  person 
near  me  would  die  in  three  days.  No  sooner  had  I  made  the  re- 
mark, than  several  began  to  weep  bitterly.  On  the  next  day,  as  I 
was  visiting  from  house  to  house,  I  came  to  an  inn  ;  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  the  landlord  asked  me  if  she  was  not  the  one  concerning  whom 
I  had  the  impression  on  the  evening  previous.  I  told  her  she  was. 
Immediately  she  Avept  aloud.  I  told  her  my  impression  did  not  re- 
spect temporal  death,  but  a  death  to  sin.  Then  she  appeared  to  be 
relieved,  and  said  she  hoped  it  would  be  so.  At  this  instant  her 
father  came  in,  in  a  great  rage,  and  demanded  whether  I  w'as  the 
boy  that  was  around  scaring  folks  to^eath  by  prophesying  that  they 
would  die.  Before  I  had  half  answered  his  question,  he  chased 
me  out  of  his  house.     I  entreated  him  to  let  me  explain  what  I 


DAVID    MARKS. 


71- 


ill  Cai'- 
ice  a  day 
INIany  of 

without 

e  proach- 
r  in  that 
e.  In  a 
e  Divine 
seek  tl»e 
1,  and  in 
[ired  ten- 

ndor,  and 
eeting  in 
ty  of  the 
lemn  con- 

the  eon- 
g  in  God. 
aving  the 
le  gospel. 
s. 
few  came 

far  from 

the  word 

the  peo- 

ul  nature 

^h.     Sev- 

le  throne 
number 

?ed  on  my 
a  person 
'.  the  re- 
day,  as  I 
a  daugh- 
ing  whom 
she  was. 
lid  not  re- 
ired  to  be 
istant  her 
'.  w'as  the 
;  that  they 
le  chased 
1  what  I 


liad  said,  but  he  refused.  I  then  requested  that  I  miglit  pray  in 
the  liouse  ;  tliis  he  refused  also.  I  then  asked  if  I  might  pray  at 
liis  door  steps.  lie  then  chased  me  into  the  street.  His  wife  and 
da.jglitcr  wopt  and  entreated  him  to  forbear ;  but  in  vain.  I  then 
kneeled  in  the  street  before  the  house  and  prayed.  lie  shut  the 
door  and  went  out  of  sight ;  but  his  wife  and  fiunily  opened  the 
windows  and  listened.  After  this  I  visited  other  families,  and 
found  that  great  opposition  was  raised  among  the  people  and  breth- 
Contempt  was  heaped  upon  me  without  reserve ;  and  some 


ren. 


said,  "  We  will  see  whether  he  is  a  true  prophet."  Sometimes  I 
indeed  trembled  myself,  and  feared  I  had  been  mistaken.  But  two 
or  three  hours  before  the  three  days  were  out,  it  pleased  the  Lord 
to  convert  the  young  woman,  and  this  generally  stopped  the  mouths 
of  gainsayers.  I  was  informed  that  the  landlord  had  a  tenant  who 
was  j>ious,  and  that  by  hearing  his  landlord  say  much  against  me, 
he  became  doubtful  whether  I  had  been  sent  of  the  Lord.  He  had 
practiced  praying  daily  under  a  certain  apple-tree  in  the  orchard  ; 
and  now  he  prayed  to  I/im  who  made  the  jig-tree  barren,  if  he  had 
sent  me,  to  make  that  apple-tree  which  had  just  leaved  out,  "  yiith- 
cr  away."  From  that  day  the  leaves  withered,  and  in  three  weeks 
they  became  dry.  He  said  he  sought  to  find  a  natural  cause  for 
the  dying  of  the  tree,  but  could  find  none. 

Tliursday  and  Friday,  April  18  and  19,  having  appointments,  I 
rod(!  sixty  miles  in  a  storm  of  rain  and  snow  to  the  town  of  Milo ; 
and  on  the  two  days  following,  attended  five  meetings  in  Benton 
and  Penn  Yan.  Monday,  22d,  I  was  much  distressed  with  a  pain 
in  my  side  ;  but  rode  to  an  appointment  in  Jerusalem,  and  spoke 
half  an  hour  to  an  assembly  that  appeared  much  affected.  At  the 
close  of  the  int<;rview,  a  young  man  came  forward  for  prayer,  soon 
professed  faith  in  the  Redeemer,  and  became  a  bold  witness  for  the 
truth.  In  compliance  with  a  request,  1  went  to  the  house  foi*merly 
occu|)icd  by  Jemima  Wilkinson,  who  called  herself,  "  The  Univer- 
sal Friend  ,*"  and  was  kindly  treated  by  the  people  living  in  the 
hous(%  to  whom  she  bequeathed  her  property.  I  could  not  ascer- 
tain that  her  followers  (as  is  commonly  reported)  call  her  Christ. 
They  say,  "  The  Spirit  of  Christ  dwelt  abundantly  in  the  Friend." 
They  would  not  call  her  a  woman  or  Jemima  Wilkinson,  nor  apply 
to  her  any  of  the  personal  pronouns  of  the  feminine  gender.  They 
are  industrious,  charitable,  regular  in  their  habits,  much  attached 
to  their  own  customs  and  sentiments,  and  treat  tdl  with  civility  and 
tenderness.     They  disapprove  of  marriage. 

On  Tuesday,  I  was  relieved  of  the  pain  in  my  side  by  the  let- 
ting of  blood,  and  preached  t^ice  in  Middlesex.  The  day  follow- 
ing, I  held  a  meeting  in  Bristol,  thirty  miles  distant,  and  the  next 
day  preached  in  Richmond.     Passing  through  Livonia,  I  preached 


72 


MEMOIRS    01!' 


CliiMHt  in  the  villages  of  Goiior^ro  and  ^Moscow.  I  felt  great  bold- 
ness in  procliiiming  fn'c  salvation,  and  in  vindicating  the  doctrine, 
that  "  God  is  no  respecter  of  persons,"  but  will  have  all  men  to  be 
saved,  and  come  to  the  knou'ledfje  of  the  truth.  This  doctrine  pleas- 
ed some,  and  offended  others.  One  of  my  hearers,  whose  heart  the 
Lord  opened,  requested  entertainment  for  me  at  a  public  house, 
promising  that  he  would  pay  the  charge.  But  the  landlord  refus- 
ed, declai'ing  that  a  man  who  would  preach  such  doctrine,  should 
have  no  place  in  his  house.  I  understood  also,  that  a  man  follow- 
ed me  with  a  horsewhip,  to  chastise  me  for  preaching  heresy,  but 
finally  was  j)ersuaded  to  desist. 

After  leaving  Moscow,  I  attended  meetings  in  Perry,  Leicester, 
Wales,  Boston  and  Eden,  which  closed  my  line  of  appointments 
that  had  been  long  standhig,  and  had  employed  raj'  time  for  nearly 
two  months. 

On  Friday,  May  3,  I  left  Boston,  and  at  five  o'clock,  P.  M. 
preached  in  Attica,  forty  miles  distant ;  at  nine  the  next  morning, 
in  Perry,  twenty-two  miles  from  Attica  ;  and  at  twelve  the  same 
day  in  Moscow.  In  the  latter  place,  twelve  manifested  a  desii-c 
for  the  one  thing  needful.  The  Lord  gave  me  much  freedom  in 
speaking  to  an  assembly  in  iho.  evening  at  Livonia,  and  the  hearts 
of  many  appeared  to  be  touched.  After  the  close  of  the  meeting, 
I  rode  eight  miles  the  same  evening,  in  a  cold  rain ;  and  in  conse- 
quence, found  my  health  much  impaired. 

Sunday,  May  5,  I  pl-eached  in  the  A.  M.  to  a  people  in  Bristol, 
that  seemed  to  hear  as  for  eternity ;  and  in  the  P.  M.  to  several 
hundred  in  the  north  part  of  the  town.  I  felt  to  bless  God  for  the 
assistance  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  the  solemnity  that  reigned.  At 
the  hour  of  five,  I  preached  standing  oiV  a  stone,  in  the  open  street, 
to  about  three  hundred  people  in  Califtndaigua  village.  Some  ap- 
peared to  receive  the  word  ;  others  <!ared  not  for  the  things  which 
belong  to  their  eternal  peace.  At  t<en  the  next  morning,  standing 
on  a  stump  where  two  ways  met,  I  pt-eached  in  Gorham  to  about 
forty,  who  seemed  to  hear  for  the  judgment  day ;  and  at  one 
o'clock,  P.  M.,  sjx)ke  again  in  the  street,  to  about  two  hundred, 
near  Federal  hollow.  In  this  meeting  the  Lord  gave  me  great 
free<.A»m,  and  directed  the  truth  to  the  hearts  of  the  hearers.  At 
five  o'clock,  P.  M.,  I  spoke  to  an  assembly  in  Middlesex.  The 
next  day  I  rode  twenty  miles,  and  attended  three  meetings  ;  and 
the  day  following  preached  twice.  Thursday,  after  travelling 
twenty-four  miles,  and  preaching  in  Penn  Yan  and  Benton,  I 
found  myself  quite  ill,  and  unable  to  attend  my  evening  ai)point- 
ment  in  Milo.  The  next  day,  being  somewhat  strengthened,  I 
travelled  twenty  miles  and  held  one.  meeting. 


1 


A, 


y 


DAVID    MARKS. 


rs 


;5roat  bold- 
»  doctrine, 
I  men  to  he 
rinc  pleas- 
L>  luMvrt  the 
)lic  house, 
lord  rciiis- 
ne,  should 
nan  foUow- 
iieresy,  but 

Leicester, 
ipointmcnts 
!  for  nearly 

lock,  P.  M. 
st  morning, 
/e  the  same 
ed  a  desire 
freedom  in 
the  hearts 
he  meeting, 
d  in  conse- 

3  in  Bristol, 
to  several 
God  for  the 
'igned.  At 
open  street, 

Some  ap- 
hings  which 
ig,  standing 
im  to  about 
and  at  one 
^o  hundred, 

me  great 
carers.  At 
csex.     The 

ings  ;   and 

r  travelling 

Benton,     I 

ng  appoint- 

ngthened,  I 


m 


On  Saturday  and  Sunday,  the  lltli  and  12th  of  May,  the  Ben- 
ton (Quarterly  Meeting  was  held  in  Junius.  I  was  still  very  fee- 
ble, but  being  requested,  I  spoke  to  the  people  on  the  Sabbath, 
Crom  Acts  17:o0:  "  And  the  times  of  tins  ignorance  God  winked 
of,  Init  now  commnndeth  all  men  everywhere  to  repent." 

I  now  found  my  illness  to  be  occasioned  by  tiu^  mea-sles;  a  dis- 
order of  which  1  had  not  before  had  the  least  suspicion.  As  1  had 
been  constantly  meeting  with  people,  a  large  number  had  taken  the, 
disorder,  and  I  felt  nuich  tried  on  the  account ;  but  as  1  could  not 
find  that  any,  who  took  it  of  me,  died  in  consequence  of  it,  I  was 
nuich  relieved.  After  meeting  closed,  with  diflicuhy,  1  walked 
two  miles  to  my  father's,  was  confined  one  week,  and  consequently  un- 
able to  attend  my  appointments,  which  extended  to  the  west  one  hun- 
(In'd  miles.  This  was  the  first  time  I  had  disappointed  congrega- 
tions on  account  of  illness.  Large  numbers  collected  in  many 
places ;  and  though  unal)le  to  be  with  them  in  body,  I  was  with 
them  in  spirit,  and  earnestly  prayed  that  Jesus  would  be  one  in 
their  midst. 

Monday,  Mtxy  20,  having  recovere<l  from  my  illness,  I  set  out 
for  the  Owego  Quarterly  Meeting,  which  was  to  be  held  in  Can- 
dor, on  the  2r)th  and  20th  of  the  month.  I  tarried  two  days  by 
the  way,  in  Dryden,  and  preached  the  word.  At  the  (Quarterly 
IMeeting  a  good  season  was  enjoyed,  and  on  the  Sabbath,  several 
were  baptized. 

Monday,  I  left  for  the  Holland  Purchase,  and  in  five  days  travelled 
one  hundivd  and  ninety  miles,  to  Concord.  In  this  town  the  Erie 
Quarterly  JNIeeting  commenced  its  session  on  Saturday,  June  1, 
1822.  A  grove  was  prepared  with  seats  for  tlie  peoplo,  and  about 
one  hundred  assembled.  After  some  preaching  and  exhortation, 
I  addressed  the  assembly  about  three  quarters  of  an  hour ;  but 
enjoying  little  liberty,  I  took  my  seat  under  considerable  depres- 
sion of  spirit,  and  soon  the  exercises  closed.  In  the  evening,  a 
preacher,  who  heard  my  discourse,  observed  that  he  did  not  tliink 
i(  was  my  duty  to  preach,  and  that  he  was  satisfied  my  preaching 
had  done  no  good.  After  replying  that  I  felt  I  had  not  a  praying 
audience,  he  said  he  did  not  think  I  had ;  that  he  did  not  pray  for 
nie,  for  he  thought  me  out  of  the  place  of  duty.  Feeling  con- 
scious it  had  been  my  intention  to  walk  in  the  path  of  humble  obe- 
dience, a  degree  of  peace  comforted  my  heart. 

Monday,  I  preached  in  Zoar  and  Concord.  My  soul  was'happy, 
the  Lord  blessed  his  word,  and  in  one  of  these  meetings,  five  awak- 
ened souls  came  forward  for  prayer.  At  five  o'clock,  P.  M.  the 
j)rcacher  al)ove  mentioned  held  a  meeting  in  Boston.  After  the 
conclusion  of  his  sermon,  I  gave  an  exhortation,  and  then  accom- 
panied him  to  Elder  R.  Carey's.     On  resuming  the  subject  of  for- 


74 


Mfc^MOIKS    OF 


il  ' 


mcr  conversation,  ho  said  to  mo,  "  Klther  yon  or  I  have  not  the 
spirit  of  Christ ; — ft  is  pride  that  aoiscs  i/oii  to  travel  so  eatensive' 
fyi — you  wish  to  get  a  r/rcat  name,''  4*''*> — "  curiosity  brings  the 
people  out  to  hear  yon,  and  after  preavhiny  two  or  three  times  in  a 
place,  yon  cannot  yet  so  larye  a  conyreyation  as  at  first."  To  lUvna 
remarks  I  innde  little  reply;  for  b('iii<r  eonfidont,  that,  in  some 
things  at  least,  ho  hibored  under  a  mistake,  they  aiVeetcd  me  lit- 
tle. 

But  as  I  awoke  next  morninp:,  a  gloom  veiled  my  mind.  I  arose 
and  without  taking  any  food,  |iro('«!cded  on  foot,  through  a  severe 
rain,  to  Kden,  where  1  had  an  appointment.  While  travelling,  tho 
remarks  of  him  whom  I  hcdieveda  father  in  Israel,  and  to  whom  I 
had  looked  for  (Mieourag(;ment,  rushed  upon  me.  And  refleeting 
that  his  labors  luul  beeu  greatly  blessed  to  the  eonversion  of  souls — 
that  he  was  highly  esteemed,  and  eonsidered  a  spiritual  i)reaeher, 
sore  temptations  beset  me.  Thinking  I  might  have  been  dc^eeived 
respecting  duty,  and  have  engaged  in  a  work  to  which  God  had 
not  called  me,  my  faith  began  to  fail — unbtdief  increased — the 
powers  of  darkness  bound  my  soul,  and  all  my  hope  seemed  blast- 
ed. My  distress  and  trials  were  past  <'xpression,  and  unparalleled 
by  any  thing  that  I  had  hitherto  experienc<id.  I  tunied  aside  into 
a  wood,  prostrated  myself  on  the  wet  ground,  and  poured  forth  my 
grief  in  sighs  and  tears.  Perhaps  I  never  came  nearer  sinking 
under  trials,  and  vowing,  like  Jeremiah,  no  more  to  speak  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  than  I  did  at  this  time.  1  lamented  that  I  had 
any  appointments,  and  concluded  that  after  attending  thos<5  I  had 
already  given  out,  I  would  muke  no  more ;  jmd  in  case  there  was 
no  chiange  in  my  mind,  would  tell  the  peo|)le  that  I  had  been  de- 
ceived and  should  preach  no  more.  O  how  important,  that  fathers 
in  Israel  be  exceedingly  careful  that  they  hurt  not  the  oil  and  the 
wine.  Young  pretu'hers,  and  those  who  are  inexperienced,  can- 
not, at  the  best,  exercise  the  wisdom  and  skill  of  more  experi- 
enced ministei's.  They  may  often  err  in  judgment  as  to  duty — 
they  may  oft^n  err  in  the  selection  of  a  subject,  and  in  the  explan- 
ation of  Scripture,  as  possibly  /  miyht  in  this  case,  and  [)robably 
may  have  done  at  some  other  times.  Yet  as  these  errors  are  al- 
most inseparable  from  the  improvement  of  young  and  wojUc 
gifts,  how  necessary  it  is  that  elder  brethren  deal  tenderly 
with  such ;  striving  with  gentleness  to  admonish  and  correct 
them,  *  when  they  see  them  in  error.  A  few  words  of  discour- 
agement from  one  of  age  and  experience,  may  forever  destroy  the 
confidence  and  faith  of  the  tender  mind.  Experience  lamentably 
proves  the  hurt  that  is  done  tender  minds  by  harsh  treatment  and 
severe  reproofs  from  the  fathers  and  mothers  in  Israel.  Instead  of 
its  disposing  them  to  trust  more  in  the  Lord,  it  generally  discour- 


9  not  the 
crtensive- 
n'nrfs  the 
')Ncs  in   a 

To  tllCHC 

,  ill  some 
d  inc  lit- 

I  arose 
I  sv  H<'vere 
I'lliiij]^,  th«' 

0  whom  I 
iHifU'c'ting 
)t'  souls — 

preacher, 
>  (l(!ceived 

God  had 
ased — the 
iiumI  bhist- 

1  paralleled 
aside  into 

I  I'ortii  my 
>r  sinking 
ak  in  the 
that  I  had 
ose  I  had 
there  was 
1  heen  de- 
lat  fathers 
1  and  the 
need,  can- 
ire  experi- 
to  duty — 
le  explan- 
l  probably 
rs  arc  al- 
and wejik 
tenderly 
ul   correct 
)f'  disconr- 
estroy  the 
amentably 
itment  and 
Instead  of 
y  discour- 


I 


DAVID    MARKS. 


75 


apjos  and  dishearlen.^  them,  and  frecinently  cansos  their  faith  to  fail. 
(Tinay  the  Lord  jrive  his  follo\vei-s  wisdom  to   become  u nr si luj  fa- 
thers and  tnirsiiiffvtoth'n  in  Israel,  and   -lently  lead  the  children 
alou;;  in  the  patJis  of  duty.     1  arose  and  went  to  niy  ain>ointment 
witira  ;rl«»'>inv  mind,  and*<lrea(h'd  to  meet   the   people.     On  enter- 
in;;  th«'^ii-^-enibly,  T  remained  in  silence  a  f«'W  miinites,  thinking  to 
teU  them  I  hiurbeen  deceived  with  regard  to  my  duty ;  but  in  an  in- 
stant, formerexperience  and  formereviilencesof  theduty  (Jod  recpiir- 
edof  me,  rose  ch'arly  to  view;  and  with  them,  peace  flowed  into  my 
soul.     :Mv  doubts  fled — and  reflecting  that  "  Great  men   are  not 
<iliroi/s  ir'iso  ;"  )itithrr  are  (jond  men  always  perfect,  I  was  convinced 
mv  (Inty  might  be  better  known  to  myself  than  toany  other  erringmor- 
ta'l ;  and,  though  saying  in  my  heart  with  the  apostle,  "  Who  is 
suH'icieiit    for   these   things?"   I  arose   and  commenced  speaking. 
The  word  of  the   TiOrd  was  like  fire  slmt  up  in  my  bones,  and  his 
power  attended  it  to    the  hearts  of   the  people.      Sinners  wept, 
saints  rejoiced,  and   my  soul   was  happy  in    God.      Seven  were 
awaken('d  atid  Imwed  before  the  Lord,  while  we  pjeaded  for  mercy. 
T  next  preached  with  much  freedom  in  Hamburg,  Attica,  and 
again  in  Eden. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

My  Journey  to   Ohio. 

For  some  time  I  had  felt  that  it  was  my  duty  to  go  to  Ohio,  and 
declare  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  the  inhabitants  of  that  new 
section  of  country.  And  having  made  such  preparations  for  my 
journey  as  were  practicable,  I  left  my  horse  with  a  friend  in  Ham- 
burg, went  to  Black  Rock  on  AVednesday,  June  12,  and  engaged 
a  passage  in  a  schooner  to  Portland,  Ohio.  In  the  morning  we  em- 
barked, and  sailing  up  Niagara,  anchored  opposite  Buffiilo  till 
about  four  o'clock,  P.  M.,  when  we  weighed  anchor,  and  before  a 
gentle  breeze  sailed  up  the  lake.  The  sun  shone  beautifully,  and 
the  waves  rolled  gently,  as  the  land  of  my  friends  and  acfjuaint- 
ance  gradually  receded.  Placing  myself  at  the  stemi,  I  fixed  my 
eyes  on  Buffalo,  till  night  rendered  every  object  indistinct ;  and  I 
said  adieu  to  many  precious  brethren  and  agreeable  acquaintances, 
who  have  often  administered  to  my  necessities  and  soothed  my  sor- 
rows. Then  turning  my  thoughts  to  the  land  in  which  I  should 
soon  be  a  stranger,  tears  stole  down  my  cheeks.  But  reflecting 
upon  the  care  my  Heavenly  Father  has  over  his  children,  I  retir- 


7^ 


MEMOlUii    OF 


I 


t'd  U)  tlu'  cabin,  and  soon  nnnk  into  a  {rcnlle  sluniltor  for  the  fii>»t 
time  on  the  water,  ami  passed  tli<^  ni;;lit  in  a  ealni  and  sweet  re- 
\H)iHi.  In  tiie  inornin;^  w<-  t'onnd  we  iiad  made  ninety  miles  ;  the 
Kun  a<;ain  r^hone  pleasantly,  and  the  hosom  of  the  lake  was  peiu-e* 
I'ul.  At  the  south  stretched  the  I'ennsylvania  shores  ;  at  the  north 
appeared  a  vast  expanse  of  water.  While  "^azin";  on  the  suhlinn,' 
and  l)eautifnl  prospect  hefiin;  me,  my  heart  was  hlled  with  adora- 
tion. A  calm  succeedin<r,  we  advanced  hut  little  ;  and  on  Satur- 
day were  still  in  »i;;ht  of  IVimsylvania.  IJein;;  n'ipiested,  I  [)reach- 
ed  on  deck  from  John  .'J: I  I,  l.>.  Althonjih  the  crew  seemed  to 
listen  attentively,  the  word  appeared  to  have  little  place?  in  their 
hearts.  This  day  1  ate  \\w  last  of  my  i>njvisions ;  the  weather  he- 
came  unpleasant,  and  the  lake  that  a  little  time  before  was  almost 
unrufiled,  now  became  very  tem])estnous. 

Monday,  June  17,  the  wind  and  storm  abated.  Our  voyaj^c 
having  been  longer  than  we  expected,  and  the  wind  beinjj;  still  con- 
trary, the  cu{)tain  of  the  vessel,  notwithstanding  his  en;^a<;ement, 
now  refused  to  take  me  to  Portland ;  and  after  receiving  niy  last 
money  for  the  passage,  he  set  me  with  four  others  on  the  peninsula 
west  of  Sandusky  bay,  and  six  miles  opposite  I'ortland.  Here 
was  a  light-house,  and  besides  the  man  who  kept  it,  there  were  no 
inhabitants  on  this  j)art  of  the  peninsula.  It  was  now  after  sun- 
set, and  during  the  last  Ibrty  hours  I  had  eaten  but  one  meal,  which 
was  given  me  by  the  captain  of  the  vessel.  The  man  who  kept 
the  light-house,  had  but  little  provision  with  him,  having  been  dis- 
appointed of  an  expected  recruit  in  conse<|uence  of  the  unfavora- 
ble wind.  So  without  tasting  any  food,  I  lay  down  on  the  floor 
and  closed  my  eyes  to  sleep,  hoping  to  forget  my  hunger.  But 
i"ecollections  of  the  kind  brethren  in  New  York,  wlio  had  often  fed 
and  lodged  me  with  willing  and  joyful  hearts,  together  Avith  the 
painful  contrast  of  my  present  situation,  crowded  into  my  mind, 
and  drove  slumber  from  my  eyes.  When  the  men  who  land- 
ed with  me  had  fallen  jisleep,  the  keeper,  remembering  the  poor 
boy  that  had  come  far  from  a  father's  house  to  preach  the  gospel, 
brouglit  me  a  cracker  and  half  a  pint  of  milk.  This  was  a  <leli- 
cious  morsel,  and  I  received  it  with  thanksgiving.  Next  morning 
the  sun  rose  with  splendor,  and  I  walked  out  to  view  the  surround- 
ing scenery.  The  waters  of  Erie  lay  on  the  cast,  west  and  north  ; 
south,  the  pros[iect  was  bounded  by  a  wood  ;  across  the  bay,  Port- 
land appeared  in  sight.  But  I  knew  no  way  to  go  thither,  for 
there  was  no  vessel  on  this  part  of  the  peninsula,  and  I  could  not 
go  by  land,  as  the  distance  wtis  sixty  miles,  tlu'ough  a  marshy  wil- 
derness. Going  into  the  top  of  the  light-house,  I  looked  eastward, 
and,  though  my  hunger  was  oppressive,  and  I  could  neither  see  my 
native  land,  nor  any  place  where  I  had  formerly  travelled,  yet  1 


c 
c 


DAVID    MAIIKS. 


77 


the  tii'st 
(Wcct  ro- 
les ;  tliu 
H  peju.'u- 
lit'  north 

siiltlinu.' 
!i  adorti- 
n\  Siitiir- 
I  prtJiL'h- 
oiuc'd  to 

ill  their 
lit  her  be- 
lls uhnout 

r  \oyivri: 
still  eoii- 
;u<;einent, 
;  my  hist 
peniiiKulu 
d.     Here 
c  were  no 
ifter  sun- 
nil,  which 
who  kept 
heen  dis- 
unliuora- 
the  floor 
er.     But 
often  fed 
with  the 
my   mind, 
vho    land- 
the  poor 
he  gospel, 
IS  a  deli- 
morning 
surround- 
md  north  ; 
bay,  Port- 
lither,  for 
could  not 
arshy  wil- 
eastward, 
ler  see  my 
led,  yet  1 


found  Christ  to  bo  precious,  anil  his  love  filled  my  soul.  Two  of 
the  men  who  landed  with  me  had  «'ach  of  tliem  a  rifle  ;  and  going 
this  uKtrnlng  into  a  wood,  they  killiMl  a  fawn,  which  we<'«Miked  and 
ate  witliuut  seasoning,  or  any  (jtlu'r  kin<l  of  food  ;  and  it  seemed  a 
delicious  morsel  as  ever  was  tasted.  Afler  this,  while  walking  in 
th(;  wood  for  meditation,  I  <'ame  suddenly  to  a  prairie,  on  which 
the  gra-^>  that  was  two  or  three;  feet  higli,  was  gently  waving  over 
the  extfmh'd  plain.  Here  nature  displayed  its  lovcdy  charms.  I 
sat  down  under  theshadc — ga/odon  its  beauties — and  prais<'(l  their 
Author. 

'I'Im'  next  day,  being  weary  of  waiting  for  a  passage,  one  of  the 
men  and  myself  caulked  an  old  skiff,  that  had  been  washed  upon 
the  shore,  and  s(>t  off  for  Portland.  The  skiff  was  so  small,  that 
our  weight  sunk  it  nearly  to  the  top ;  an<l  it  leaked  so  fast,  that  it 
kept  me  busy  in  lading  out  the  water  with  my  shoe,  which  I  used 
for  want  of  something  better.  After  rowing  along  the  shore  alxmt 
two  miles,  w<!  changed  ourcoiu'se  directly  across  the  bay  for  Port- 
land. The  wind  was  against  us  ;  antl  \Nhen  about  one  mile  from 
the  shore,  the  waves  ran  three  or  four  feet  high,  and  freipiently 
came  over  th»;  top  of  the  skiff.  As  we  could  not  swim,  we  novv 
began  to  view  ourselves  in  <lang<'r  ;  but  having  no  wish  to  return, 
we  endeavored  to  make  our  way  through  wind  and  waves.  Every 
moment  our  situation  grew  more  perilous.  The  wind  increased, 
so  that  we  made  but  little  progress  ;  and  we  determined  to  return 
if  possible.  (>«i  turning  the  skiff  about,  we  wer<;  in  danger  of  fall- 
ing into  the  troughs  ;  lait  we  succeeded  so  well,  that  not  more  than 
a  pail  full  of  water  ran  into  our  vessel ;  and  we  reached  the  shore 
at  Sand  Point,  abf)Ut  two  miles  from  the  light-house.  I  was  ghul 
to  get  on  the  land  again,  though  I  suffV'red  with  hunger,  in  addition 
to  being  both  wet  and  cold.  Nature  itself  seemed  to  frown  ;  the 
sky  was  lowering;  the  cold  north-west  wind  rustled  among  the 
trees,  and  the  water  in  billows  dashed  (he  shore.  Having  eaten 
nothing  but  fresh  venison,  without  salt  or  other  provisions,  my  stom- 
ach becanu!  disordered,  and  brought  on  weakness  and  stupi«lity.  I 
walked  along  the  shore  ;  and  while  my  former  condition,  when  I 
enjoyed  plenty  beneath  the  parental  roof,  or  among  kind  brethren, 
was  contrasted  with  my  present  situation,  in  which  I  had  not  even 
the  privilege  of  entering  the  houses  of  strangers,  I  "vvept  bitterly. 
Falling  on  my  knees,  I  called  on  the  name  of  the  Lord.  My  soul 
w  as  soon  hapjiy  and  joyful ;  and,  though  I  knew  no  way  to  get 
f)ff  the  peninsula,  or  afler  getting  off,  to  succeed  among  strangers 
without  money,  I  repented  not  my  having  come  into  this  state. 

Soon  we  met  with  a  man  who  came  to  the  peninsula  in  search 
of  cattle,  and  was  waiting  the  arrival  of  a  vessel.  I  gladly  warm- 
ed myself  by  the  fire  he  liad  kindled  ;  and  he  gave  us  some  bread 
7* 


7» 


MEMOIRS   Oe 


i 


I 


and  pork  ;  but  my  stomacli  was  so  out  of  onler,  I  could  cut  little. 
In  the  afternoon  we  were  ghuldened  by  the  si«;ht  of  a  vessel, 
coming  from  Portland ;  and  on  its  arrival,  we  solicited  a  passage. 
As  their  business  would  not  permit  them  to  huid  us  at  Portland, 
they  took  us  across  the  bay  to  Cedar  Point.  Taking  our  portman- 
teaus on  our  shoulders,  we  walked  nine  miles  on  the  beacli  of  the 
lake,  belbre  we  came  to  any  house ;  Jind  being  very  thirsty,  were 
glad  to  <lrink  some  poor  water.  After  travelling  three  miles  fur- 
ther into  Milan,  I  found  brethren,  who  received  me  affectionately. 
Blessed  be  the  Lord  for  all  his  goodness. 

In  this  town,  a  Freewill  Baptist  church  hml  been  gathered  three 
years  before,  by  Elder  J.  N.  Hinkley  ;  and  from  tluit  time  it  had 
l)een  visited  by  only  two  or  three  preachers  of  the  Freewill  Bap- 
tist order;  yet,  they  had  continued  their  meetings,  and  in  a  good 
degree  maintained  a  gospel  walk.  Thursday,  June  20,  I  had  the 
privilege  of  i»reaching  to  them. 

After  this,  1  attended  meetings  with  some  appearance  of  success 
in  the  towns  of  New-London,  Clarkstield,  and  Danbury.  In  the 
latter,  a  backslider,  at  the  age  of  seventy,  was  called  to  exchange 
worlds.  When  viewing  himself  about  to  go  into  eternity,  he  re- 
marked, that  although  he  did  not  then  enjoy  religion^  he  knew  he 
once  had ;  and  therefore  it  was  impossible  that  he  should  be  lost ; 
for  he  doubted  not,  that  all  who  had  once  experienced  pardoning 
grace,  would  be  saved.  So,  quieting  his  mind  thus  in  his  last  mo- 
ments, to  all  human  appearance,  he  left  the  world  without  concern. 
In  compliance  with  a  retiuest,  I  preached  the  funend  sermon.  Soon 
after  the  ])eople  had  collected,  two  sons  of  the  deceased  entered 
the  house.  They  came  to  visit  their  anciei\t  sire,  ignorant  of  the 
sad  tale.  But  disappointment  and  anguish  filled  their  hearts,  and 
their  lamentations  rendered  the  scene  still  more  solemn  and  affect- 
ing. We  followed  him  to  the  silent  tomb,  the  house  ap})ointed  for 
all  living ;  then  each  went  his  way,  and  the  mourners  returned  to 
their  habitation,  weeping. 

Elder  Collins  of  New  York,  and  myself,  appointed  a  general 
meeting  in  Milan  on  the  29th  and  30th  of  tlune.  Brethren  attend- 
ed from  three  small  churches,  in  Milan,  Greenfield  and  Clarks- 
tield;  which  w<»re  the  only  Freewill  Baptist  churches  in  this  part 
of  the  country.  On  the  first  day,  our  luunber  was  about  twenty  ; 
and  truly,  the  form  of  the  Son  of  God  was  in  our  midst,  to  tlie 
great  joy  of  our  hearts.  A  Quarterly  Meeting  was  this  day  or- 
ganized, called  Huron  Quarterly  Meeting.  On  the  Sabbath,  about 
one  hundred  and  fifly  met  in  a  barn.  I  spoke  to  them  from  Isa. 
33:10,  17  :  "  He  shall  dwell  on  high  :  his  place  of  defence  shall  be 
the  munitions  of  rocks,''*  S^c.  Being  recjuested  to  preach  again  in 
the  afternoon,  1  spoke  from  JercmitUi  17:11 :  "As  the  partridge  sit- 


DAVID  MARKS. 


79 


?ut  little. 
11  vessel, 
piissage- 
l^ortland, 
poitnian- 
:h  of  the 
Xy,  were 
liles  fur- 
tionately. 

red  three 
me  it  luul 
vill  Bap- 
1  a  gooil 
luul  the 

>f  success 
In  the 
exeliange 
y^,  he  re- 
knew  he 
be  lost ; 
)ard()ning 
last  nio- 
t  concern, 
ion.  Soon 
I  entered 
It   of  the 
cjirts,  and 
nd  affect- 
ointed  for 
turned  to 

[I  general 
n  attend- 
il  Clarks- 

this  part 
t  twenty ; 
st,  to  tlie 
s  day  or- 
ath,  about 

from  Isa. 
ce  shall  be 
1  again  in 
I'tridge  sit- 


teth  on  eggs,  and  hatcheth  them  not ;  so  he  that  gettcth  riches,  and 
not  by  riglit,  shall  leave  them  in  the  midst  of  his  days,  and  at  liis 
end  shall  be  a  fool."  Eliler  Collins  delivered  a  discourse  from 
Heb.  4:9  :  "  There  remaineth  therefore  a  rest  to  the  people  of  God." 
AW'  then  ate  the  bread,  and  drank  the  cup  in  remembrance  of  our 
Lord's  body  that  was  broken,  and  his  blood  that  was  shed  ibr  us. 
Several  animating  exhortations  followed  ;  many  tears  were  shed  ; 
and  many,  we  trust,  felt  the  need  of  salvation,  and  went  away  sor- 
rowful. .July  2  and  3,  I  attende<l  meetings  in  Milan.  The  four 
days  following  were  spent  at  a  Methodist  camp  meeting  in  Flor- 
ence, Huron  county,  in  which  I  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  preaching 
once  from  the  stand,  and  of  speaking  several  times  at  prayer  meet- 
ings. During  this  period  some  were  hopefully  converte<l.  Mon- 
day, July  8th,  a  Methodist  brother  in  Brunswick,  kindly  lent  me  a 
horse  to  go  to  the  south  pai-t  of  the  state.  I  preached  during  the 
week  in  Greenfield,  Plymouth,  Brunswick  and  Fitchville.  In  the 
latter  place  the  power  of  God  was  among  the  people.  Seventeen 
engaged,  by  giving  me  their  hands,  to  commence  immediately  seek- 
ing the  salvation  of  their  souls.  A  revival  followed  this  meeting, 
in  which  fifteen  or  twenty  were  converted  to  God. 

Tuesday,  July  10,  I  preached  in  Greenwich,  after  which  a 
chureii  was  orgmiized.  In  the  evening,  I  spoke  to  a  very  attentive 
assembly  in  Plymouth,  ten  miles  distant ;  and  the  next  evening 
preached  in  the  court  house  at  Mansfield,  thirty  miles  further  south. 
The  congregation  was  l.'irge  and  solemn.  Thursday  and  Friday, 
1  travelled  fifty-fiNe  miles  to  Kaccoon,  and  there  attended  worship. 
On  Saturday,  I  rode  thirty  miles  to  a  JNIethodist  camp-meeting. 
Ilore,  I  spent  three  days,  and  had  the  privilege  of  preaching  once, 
whieh  was  at  midnight ;  and  of  exhorting  and  praying  several  limes. 
Kesuming  my  journey  I  paj^sed  through  Chilicothe,  thence  down 
the  Sciota  river  to  Portsmouth,  situated  on  the  Ohio  river  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Sciota. 

The  country  through  which  I  ))asscd  was  interesting  to  the  stran- 
ger. For  two  hundred  miles  it  is  level  and  fertile  ;  and  by  the 
way,  are  many  large  farms  in  beautiful  order.  At  one  [dace, 
where  I  called  on  a  farmer,  I  noticed  the  largest  field  of  corn  that  1 
had  ever  seen,  and  asked  the  number  of  acres  it  contained  ;  he  re- 
plied, ''  one  hundred  and  sixteen  ;"  and  remarked  that  he  had  two 
hundred  acres  of  com  then  growing  on  his  farm  ;  and  that  tlujyear 
before,  he  raised  ten  thousand  bushels.  However,  this  could  hard- 
ly be  called  a  "  land  of  brooks  and  springs,"  for  in  general  water 
was  both  scarce  and  poor. 

On  this  journey  I  had  an  interview  with  a  minister  of  consider- 
able talents,  belonging  to  a  sect  who  called  themselves  Separate 
Baptists  ;  but  a)  e  denominated  by  some,  Wash  Feet  Baptists  ;   be  - 


•i^- 


80 


MEM0IU8    OP 


I  > 


cause  they  believe  waslnn<5  tlie  siiiiits'  f©«t  to  be  an  ordinance  of 
the  gos[)cl,  and  make  its  omission  a  bar  to  communion.  He  in- 
formed me  that  they  held  to  free  salvation,  the  freedom  of  the  hn- 
inan  will,  the  fnal  perseverance  of  the  saints,  and  what  is  calhid 
close  contniunioh.  1  understood  there  were;  several  churches  of 
this  connexion,  })erhaps  twenty — several  able  ministers — and  that 
they  formerly  seceded  from  tin;  C'alvinistic  Ha})tists. 

At  Portsmouth,  I  found  EMer  Rufus  Cheney,  who  removed 
from  New  York  to  this  place  six  or  sever,  years  before.  He  in- 
formed me  there  were  no  Freewill  Baptists  in  this  region  at  that 
time  ;  and  that  he  lived  several  months,  as  it  were  alone,  frequently 
preaching,  but  with  little  appearance  of  success.  At  length  he 
saw  a  powerful  revival,  in  which  many  learned  to  sing  the  sweet 
songs  o^  Zion.  Seven  first  united  to  take  the  Scriptures  for  their 
rule  of  faith  and  practice  ;  their  number  increased,  until  it  now 
amounted  to  one  hundred  and  twelve.  1  spent  five  days  among 
them,  preaching  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  enjoyed  some  good  sea- 
sons. 

During  my  stay  in  Portsmouth,  I  sent  an  appointment  across 
the  Ohio  river,  into  Kentucky ;  but  when  the  tim.e  came,  the  boat 
used  for  crossing  the  river  wa«  absent.  The  stream,  I  think,  was 
about  half  a  mile  wide ;  and  as  I  was  unwilling  to  disappoint  the 
people,  I  began  to  contrive  a  way  to  cross ;  and  gobig  alone  down 
the  river  side,  after  an  hour's  labor.  I  succeeded  in  getting  an  old 
canoe  from  among  tho  Hood  wood,  that  had  an  opening  in  the  bot- 
tom, from  end  to  end,  nearly  an  inch  in  width.  As  the  water  ap- 
peared to  be  shallow,  and  the  current  gentle,  1  thought,  with  little 
dithculty,  I  shoidd  soon  rea<'h  the  opj)osile  shore,  and  accordingly 
set  off  my  little  bark.  Taking  a  board  i'ov  a  paddle,  and  placing 
another  across  the  canoe,  I  seated  niyself,  when  my  little  vessel, 
sinking  in  the  water,  tilled  within  two  inches  of  the  top.  Thus  I 
ventured  forward;  Ijui  ^oon  found  myself  in  deep,  agitated  wat(!r; 
and  casting  my  eyes  toward  the  shores,  they  seemed  to  be  in  Y'.\\m\ 
flight.  IMy  little  bark  whirled  round  and  round,  and  I  wished  my- 
self on  the  land,  thinking  this,  perhaps,  was  an  imprudent  step. 
Ri!Solving,  however,  n  )t  to  despair,  I  endeavored  to  gain  the  Ken- 
tucky shore.  After  floating  down  the  stream  half  a  mile,  I  came 
within  one  or  two  rods  of  the  bank,  where  the  water  w  as  verv 
deep  and  the  current  swift.  A  quantity  of  flood  wood  was  lodged  a 
little  below  me,  and  I  could  see  no  way  to  avoid  falling  amongst  it ; 
but  hai)pily  a  stick,  projecting  from  the  bottom  of  the  river  nearly 
to  the  surface  of  the  water,  fastened  in  the  bottom  of  the  canoe, 
and  held  it.  Presently  I  caught  a  rail  that  wjus  floating  down  the 
stream,  and  placing  one  end  of  it  on  the  canoe,  and  the  other  end 
upon  a  log,  walked  on  it  to  the  shore.     A  large  number,  chiefly 


DAVID    MARKS. 


81 


among 


i 


Hi 


pooj)l(!  of  color.  iusscmbltMl,  and  1  felt  that  Ili-avcn  assisted  nie  iu 
j)nii(liin«i!;.  Their  tears  flowed  freely,  and  my  soul  rejoiee<l  lor  the 
j)rivilt';^e  of  ixjintinj;  Afric's  injured  sons  to  the  Lamb  of  God, 
who  is  ahle  and  willing'  to  sanctify  their  wrongs  to  their  eternal 
good.  Several,  apparently  mueh  aifeeted,  came  forward  for  pray- 
er, and  promised  to  seek  ilm  Lord.  Nearly  the  whole  assembly 
kneeled  in  time  of  prayer :  and  I  was  informed  this  was  the  cus- 
tom of  the  eounlry.  It  is  indexed  but  a  respectful  custom,  when 
God  is  addressed  by  his  creature,  little,  sinfidman.  Duty  demand- 
ing my  immediate  return,  I  <»btained  assistance  in  getting  my  ca- 
noe to  the  shore,  and  in  preparing  a  pjuldlo  ;  and  after  floating 
down  the  stream  another  half  mile,  reached  the  opposite  shore  in 
.«afely. 

Monday,  July  21),  proceeding  twenty-five  miles  up  the  Ohio 
river,  I  held  a  meeting  in  Raccoon.  The  next  day  1  went  twenty- 
five  miles  to  Itutland,  and  there  met  brethren  Uothburn  an<l  Hatch, 
who  had  been  Freewill  Baptist  pn-achers  in  New  England  sever- 
al years  previous  to  this  time.  When  they  came  to  this  country, 
they  found  Elder  Stedman,  an  influential  |)reacher  of  their  own 
order,  hai)pily  engaged  in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  Elder  St(Mlman 
removed  from  New  England  about  the  y-ar  IHOo,  established  sev- 
eral churches,  and  formea  a  Quarterly  Meeting;  which  became  so 
large,  that  it  was  divide<l  into  two,  and  these  two  organized  a  Year- 
ly Meeting.  Elders  U.  and  IL  became  fellow  hiborers  with  Elder 
S.  in  the  i)recious  cause  of  Christ,  till  the  parched  ground  became 
a  pool,  and  the  thirsty  land,  si)rings  of  water.  The  church  was 
nourished  b^  the  dews  of  Heaven,  and  the  wilderness  became  vocal 
with  the  praises  of  Emmanuel,  lint  soon  the  scene  changed.  The 
circumstances  as  related  to  me  were  as  follows  : 

.  At  a  session  of  their  Yearly  Meeting,  one  who  had  been  consid- 
ered a  father  in  Zion,  came  into  the  assend>ly,  fell  on  his  knees, 
and,  to  the  surprise  of  all  the  congregation,  confessed,  with  bursts 
of  grief,  a  crime  of  vhich  even  his  most  violent  enemies  had  not 
su^pect<'d  him  to  be  guilty;  and  which,  but  for  this  confession, 
might  have  remained  a  secret  till  the  Judgment.  The  assembly 
were  astonished  ;  the  hearts  of  his  brethren  were  broken  with 
grief:  and  even  his  enemies,  who  had  formerly  sought  occasion 
against  him.  now  wept  profusely,  and  scarcely  a  dry  face  was  to 
be  seen  in  the  whole  assembly.  l)e»p  soirow  sat  on  tin;  counte- 
nance of  every  friend  ;  and  some  of  the  preachers  wept  the  whole 
night.  A  little  Ix'fore  day,  the  penitent  came  to  their  lodgings, 
kneeled  at  theii*  bed-side,  and  after  weeping  a  while,  he  asked  them 
if  they  <!ould  forgive  him.  They  said  they  could  as  to  personal 
fi-elings — but  .-till  they  wept  again,  for  the  occasion  that  had  l)een 
t'iyeii  for  the  enemies  of  the  cross,  to  speak  reproadifully.     The 


82 


MEMOIRS    OF 


wicked  now  triumphed  ;  iuul  jirnouj;  the  brethren  there  was  a  divis- 
ion ;  some  thought  they  should  forgive  liim,  and  let  him  retain  his 
eldersliip ;  others,  tliough  Avilling  to  forgive,  were  of  opinicm 
tlmt  his  ehhrship  ought  to  be  taken  away.  Not  far  from  this 
lime,  they  w<'re  visit(Ml  by  several  talented  preachers  from  ISIiami 
and  Kentucky,  belonging  to  the  sect  called  "New  Lights."  The 
Yearly  IMeeting  was  in  a  rocking  and  tried  state.  The  preachers 
being  mostly  young,  and  little  used  to  such  trials  as  now  assailed 
them,  felt  unable  to  sustain  the  shock.  The  visiting  preachers  pro- 
j>osed  a  union  with  their  denomination.  The  parties  held  a  con- 
ference to  learn  the  existing  difference  of  opinion ;  and  after  the 
investigation,  concluded  there  wai  no  essential  difference, — that 
they  should  be  one  people, — and  accordingly  they  united.  Some 
of  the  churches,  however,  and  many  individuals  in  the  YcMirly 
Meeting,  were  much  dissatisfied  ;  and  for  several  years  would  no 
acknowledge  the  union. 

I  preached  with  them  once  or  twice  ;  and  on  "Wednesday,  July 
31,  commenced  my  return  to  New  York.  On  Simday,  August  4, 
hearing  the  New  Liglits  held  a  camp  meeting  at  Mount  Vernon,  I 
rode  fifteen  miles  in  the  morning,  and  entered  the  camp  ground,  a 
stranger  to  all.  My  garments  were  worn  nearly  to  rags — much 
soiled  by  my  late  travels  in  the  heat  and  dust — and  I  had  no  change ; 
still  I  believed  duty  called  me  to  s})eak  to  this  people.  Having  the 
impression  that  an  introduction  somewhat  singular,  would  in  tliis 
case  render  the  hearts  of  the  people  more  accessible,  I  gave  my 
portmanteau  to  the  first  man  I  met,  went  ujjon  the  stand  uninvited, 
and  took  a  seat  without  speaking,  or  fixing  my  eyes  on  any  one, 
till  the  close  of  a  discourse  which  a  |>reacher  was  then  delivering. 
Then  I  asked  the  piivilege  of  a<ldressing  the  assembly.  The 
preachers  and  people  looked  at  me  with  a[)parent  suspicion ;  and 
after  a  litth^  hesitation,  a  minister  called  for  my  credentials.  As  I 
lefl  the  stand  to  search  for  my  portmanteau  which  contained  my  let- 
ters, they  called  me  back,  and  said,  that  after  an  intermission  of 
half  an  hour,  my  recpiest  should  be  granted.  As  the  "  New 
Lights"  had  been  much  jiersecuted,  I  understood  some  supposed 
me  to  be  a  wicked  lad,  that  had  been  sent  by  their  enemies  to  im- 
pose on  them;  but  they  hoi)ed  my  attem[)t  to  preach  would  be  in- 
strumental of  my  awakening.  The  whole  assembly  watched  me 
very  closely  till  I  retinnl  for  prayer.  AVhen  the  time  of  intermis- 
sion had  expired,  even  before  the  people  liad  assembled,  1  went 
upon  the  preachers'  stand  alone,  and  without  ceremony,  falling  on 
my  knees,  began  to  pray.  The  S[)irit  made  intercession  and  the 
w  indows  of  heaven  seemed  to  be  open.  "Wlien  I  arose,  the  peo- 
])le,  who  were  in  number  about  on(!  thousand,  .-lood  thick  around 
the  stund,  and  many  countenances  were  bathed  in  tears.     A  text 


DAVID    MARKS. 


88 


a  (livis- 
,'tiiiii  his 

()])inion 
oin  this 
1  Miami 
."  The 
i-ea('hei*s 
assailed 
lers  j)ro- 
[  a  con- 
.fter  the 
e, — that 
Some 

Yearly 
ould  no 

ly,  July 
ujTust  4, 
ernon,  I 
•ound,  a 
5 — much 
chanj^e ; 
,ving  the 
d  in  tills 
;a^•e  my 
iiinvited, 
iny  one, 
livering. 
^  The 
on  ;  and 
s.  As  I 
I  my  let- 
ission  of 
!  "  New 
nipposed 
!S  to  im- 
Id  be  in- 
•lu'd  me 
intcrmis- 
,  1  went 
ailing  on 
and  the 
the  peo- 
:  around 
A  text 


occunx'd  to  my  recollection  ;  Num.  10:29,  "  We  are  joiirnei/utg 
unto  the  place  of  which  the  Lord  said,  I  will  give  it  yon  :  come 
thou  with  us,  and  we  ivill  do  thee  good  ;  for  the  Lord  hath  s}wk€a 
good  ronccnn'iKj  Israel."  In  the  illustration  of  this  passage,  I  no- 
ticed the  analogy,  lirst,  between  the  house  of  Jacob  and  the  true 
Israel,  ov  heirs  according  to  promise  ;  secondly,  between  Moses, 
the  leader  of  ancient  Israel,  and  Christ,  the  leader  of  the  time  Is- 
rael ;  thirdly,  between  this  journey  to  the  promised  laiul,  and  the 
Christian's  journey  to  the  rest  promised  to  the  true  Israel  ;  and 
icMutlily,  the  analogy  between  the  good  ju'omised  by  Moses,  aiul 
that  wliich  is  offered  by  Christ.  The  Lord  showed  me  favor,  and 
enabled  uu.'  to  speak  an  hour  and  a  half  with  great  freedom.  The 
jisseiubly  stood  dui'ing  th<?  whole  time,  and  many  were  powerfully 
wrought  u|)on  by  the  Spirit;  saints  rejoiced,  some  shouted,  mul 
tears  rolled  down  the  cheeks  of  hundreds.  Some  powerful  exhor- 
tations were  added,  and  the  table  of  the  Lord  was  S])read  before 
the  assembly. 

Uefore  the  meeting  closed,  whiih  was  on  Monday  morning,  sev- 
eral were  hopefully  converted.  During  this  time,  various  persons 
put  small  pieces  of  money  in  my  hand,  which  amounted  in  all  to 
ten  dollars ;  and  a  merchant  gave  me  cloth  and  trimmings  for  a 
pair  of  pantaloons.  O,  how  kindly  has  the  Lord  provided  for  his 
unj»roiitable  servant ! 

In  compliance  wii'  the  request  of  a  gentleman  in  Mt.  Vernon 
village,  I  called  at  his  house.  His  wife  met  me  at  the  door  with 
her  face  bathed  in  tears,  and  giving  me  her  hand  she  alfectionately 
said,  "  ft'lory  to  God,  for  what  1  have  crperienced  this  morning.  I 
was  bred  in  a  formal  religion,  and  yesterday  went  to  meeting  an 
unbeliever  in  experimental  religion.  Hut  while  you  were  speaking 
God  sent  an  arrow  to  my  heart,  and  from  that  moment  I  have  felt 
the  horrors  and  pains  of  hell  till  tliit;  morning;  and,  bless  the  Lord, 
I  have  just  now  found  peace  that  is  beyond  expression."  Her  hus- 
band was  a  professor,  an<l  we  ha<l  a  season  of  rejoicing.  lie  in- 
forine<l  me  that  several  in  the  village  ju'oposed  making  a  contribu- 
tion for  me.  But  I  felt  rich  and  happy,  and  after  expressing  my 
thanks  for  their  kindness,  told  him  I  had  enough. 

]\Iy  next  meeting  was  in  Jefferson.  It  commenced  in  the  after- 
noon, and  ctmtinued  till  midnight.  The  power  of  God  was  present, 
and  eternity  seemed  unveiled  ;  s<neral  w(>re  awakened,  sonui  wan- 
derers conlessed  their  backslidings,  and  the  p»-aises  of  three  happy 
con\ crts  crowned  the  interview. 

Wednesday,  Aug.  7,  I  arrived  at  brother  Reynolds'  in  Bruns- 
wick. Huron  county,  and  returned  his  horse,  which  I  had  rode 
about  six  hundred  miles.  He  would  take  no  pecuniary  reward. 
Pursuing  my  journey,  I  attended  meetingvS  in  Brunswick,  Brown- 


I 


84 


MEMOIRS    O*' 


son,  riymouth,  Grccnwicli,  Fitolivillo,  ClarksficUl,  Milan  and  Port- 
land, somotlmcH  failed  Sandusky  city,  in  ,^omc  of  these  my  soul 
was  f!;n'atly  blesscfl,  and  the  seasons  appeared  to  be  profitable  to 
the  peo|)le. 

On  Thursday,  the  1.0th,  I  oross(Ml  Sandusky  bay  and  visited  a 
small  settlement,  a  lew  miles  from  the  li;!;ht-house,  when;  I  wasde- 
taitied  in  cominnr  to  this  state.  I  was  informed  there  had  been  no 
preaehin<;!f  on  the  peninsula  for  more  than  a  year  and  a  hfilf.  The 
Lord  jrave  me  freedom,  and  solenniity  reipied  in  our  midst.  After 
sermon,  I  bep^an  speakin<j;  to  in<tividuals;  but  looking  around  I  per- 
ceived the  greater  part  had  left  me,  and  were  looking  in  at 
the  doors  and  windows,  where  they  coidd  hear  and  aroid  being 
spoken  to  themselves.  Some  appeared  tender,  others  inflexibly 
hard.  I  dined  in  the  ]>lace,  and,  as  a  friend  afterward  informed 
me,  the  woman  of  the  house  hurried  the  company  while  I  was 
washing  without,  to  take  seats  at  the  table  lest  I  should  give 
thanks. 

Friday,  I  returned  to  Portland,  and  waited  the  arrival  of  a  ves- 
sel to  take  a  passag<,'  to  Buffalo.  The  steamboat  did  not  arrive  at 
the  expected  hour,  and  word  soon  came  that  it  had  suffered  in  a 
gale  of  wind,  and  was  laid  up  for  repairs.  Information  was  given 
me,  tliat  several  had  expressed  doubts  jus  to  the  correctness  of  a  re- 
mark made  in  my  lat<;  visit,  saying,  that  I  never  preached  written 
sermons.  They  were  suspicious  the  discourse  I  delivered  to  them 
had  been  committed  to  memory  ;  and  to  prove  me,  desired  that  I 
would  preach  from  a  text  they  should  give  me.  I  told  him  they 
might  notify  a  meeting  and  give  me  a  text  as  I  arose  to  sjieak. 
Nearly  two  hours  before  the  a{)pointed  time,  Mr.  Marsh,  keei)er  of 
the  steamboat  hotel,  sent  a  note,  requesting  me  to  preach  from  the 
following  text :  Gal.  3:8,  "  And  the  Scripture,  foreseeing  that  Gofl 
would  justify  the  heathen  through  faith,  j)reached  before  the  gospel 
unto  Abraham,  saying.  In  thee  shall  all  nations  be  blessed."  I  re- 
tired to  51  grove,  spent  a  few  mimites  in  prayer,  then  returned  and 
anxiciisly  waited  the  ap|>ointed  hour.  About  all  the  village  assem- 
bled, and  after  reading  my  text  and  making  some  introductory  re- 
marks, [  noticed,  first,  fJie  Script Kro  promises  of  the  Mes:<iuh  ;  sec- 
ondly, their  fulfillment,  and  the  manner  in  which  all  nations  are 
blessed  in,  the  seed,  of  Abraham  ;  a)al,  thirdly,  the  faith  through 
which  the  heathen  are  justified.  The  fear  of  man  was  removed, 
and  my  soul  led  out  into  the  deep  things  of  God.  The  awakening 
infljience  of  tlu;  Holy  S))irit  was  manifest  in  the  assembly,  and 
many  face^  were  bedewed  with  t<'ars.  Mr.  Marsh,  with  two  or  three 
others,  inade  me  a  present  of  nearly  three  dollars. 

Aug.  17,  finding  no  opportuni  y  for  a  passage  on  the  lake,  and 
hearing  that  on  Tuesday  following,  a  vessel  was  to  go  from  Cleave- 


DAVID    MARKS. 


85 


and 


land,  a  port  sixty  miles  distant,  I  left  Portland  at  tho  scttinjjj  of  the 
sun,  with  my  portmanteau  on  my  nhoulder,  an«l  in  a  day  and  a  half" 
walked  to  Cleaveland,  when  to  my  disapjiointment  I  found  the  ves- 
sel had  sailed  an  hour  hoA'orv  my  arrival.  After  walkinj^  thirty- 
seven  miles  from  Portland,  on  the  beach  of  the  lak<*,  sinking  mueli 
of  the  way  to  my  ankles  in  the  sand,  a  stranger  overtook  me,  who 
said  he  had  heard  me  preach,  and  offered  to  carry  my  portmanteau 
to  Cleaveland.  It  contained  my  money,  watch,  and  other  articles 
to  the  amount  of  *40.  My  wearim'ss  made  nu'  gladly  acce[)t  his 
offer.  During  my  haste  in  » he  latter  i)arf  of  this  journey,  I  had 
not  allowed  myself  time  to  cit,  an<l  the  crax  ings  of  my  hunger 
were  now  severe.  As  I  could  find  nothing  of  the  man  with  my 
portmanteau,  neither  could  procure  any  thing  to  eat,  1  went  out 
from  the  town  a  little  di.-«(ance,  sat  down  by  the  way  si<h'  in  the 
rain,  anxiously  watching  for  the  stranger.  To  my  joy  h(^  made 
his  a[)[)earance  in  about  two  lours,  and  with  tluuikfulness  I  sup- 
plied my  wants. 

I  tarried  in  Cleaveland  one  day,  and  on  Aug.  20th,  I  set  sail  in 
the  Nicator  for  Buffalo.  We  hiul  a  fair  wind,  and  a  pi-osperous 
voyage ;  but  the  company  were  profane  and  wicked.  Thui*sday, 
I  landed  at  liuffalo,  went  to  Hamburg  where  I  had  left  my  horse, 
and  the  six  days  following  attende<l  meetings  in  Hamburg,  Eden, 
Boston,  Concord,  and  Ellieottsville.  Some  of  these  seasons  were 
refreshing.  Several,  who  had  been  living  without  God  and  with- 
out hope  in  the  world,  were  made  to  feel  their  poverty,  and  desir- 
ed the  prayers  of  Christians  in  their  l)ehalf.  After  this,  I  visited 
Elder  .1.  Folsom,  of  Boston,  who  was  nigh  unto  death.  To  me  it 
was  an  imj)ressive  and  memorable  season.  Elder  F.  had  been  a 
faithful  and  spiritual  watchmfm.  I  mourned  in  the  certain  expec- 
tation, that  soon  he  would  leave  the  care  of  Zion;  and  as  I  looked 
upon  the  companion  of  his  youth,  and  their  numerous  family,  all  my 
sympathies  were  awakened.  His  soul  was  ha|)py,  and  he  rejoiced 
in  God.  With  the  firm  and  blessed  liop(?  of  meeting  him  in  the 
land  of  immortality  and  eternal  bliss,  I  pressed  liis  pallid  hand,  and 
bade  him  adieu.* 

1^'rom  Boston  I  went  to  Attica,  where  the  sccojul  session  of  the 
Holland  Purchase  Y.  M.  commenced  on  the  31  st  of  August,  1822. 
Several  di  courses  were  delivered,  and  followed  by  animating  ex- 
hortations. A  comfortable  season  was  enjoyed,  but  notliing  special 
occurred,  in  Klders'  conference,  a  resolve  was  passed,  advising 
our  preachers  and  brethren  not  to  connect  with  masonic  lodges.     I 

*  A  l\.\\  moiulis  after  (hit*,  E)(l«;r  Folsom  left  ilie  world  in  iho  triiimphB  of  ttint  fHith  he 
ha<l  BO  oKiiji  reioiiimciulcd  to  otlieis  His  fiiiHTal  Kernion  was  preached  l)y  Elder  R. 
Carey,  one  t,l  hU  Kpiriiiial  iliihlren.  11  is  deatli  wax  lainentcd  by  hundreds  of  the  chureh 
of  Clirisi,  but  they  uiuuriied  not  aa  those  without  hope. 

8 


*'^rt  '  ....  - 


.  t 


86 


MEMOIRS    OF 


did  not  votf»  for  this  rcfiolvo  with  tlie  conforenoe,  bncausr*  one  of 
our  prcsM'hcrs,  whom  I  tlioiiprht  one  of  th(^  hcst,  was  a  fnie  iniison ; 
find  I  concluded  if  masonry  wfis  not  good  he  wouhl  come  out  from 
it 

After  (he  close  of  the  Yearly  Me(^tinj]f,  I  continued  my  journey 
toward  Junius,  and  on  the  way  pn'aclu'd  onee  in  Covinpflon,  thrice 
in  Hielim<m«1,  once  in  (Jorliam,  thrice  in  Jienton,  twice  in  Milo, 
and  att<*nded  eifrht  meetings  in  Wayne.  The  Lord  hlessed  some 
of  tliese  sea-sonn  with  liis  presence;  and  1  trust  some  I'ruitsi  of  the 
«am(f  will  appear  in  the  day  of  eternity.  In  Milo,  many  scemc<l 
resolved  to  submit  to  Jesus,  and  scneral  desired  the  prayers  of 
eaintR. 

On  Monday,  Sept.  9,  I  arrived  at  my  father's  dwelling,  but  found 
it  em{)ty.  My  father  was  absont  on  a  visit  to  his  relatives  in  Con- 
necticut, and  my  tw<i  (eldest  brothers  were  living  in  an  adjacent 
neighborhood.  As  there  was  no  friend  to  welcome  my  return,  I 
walked  out  over  the  places  that  had  been  familiar  to  me,  to  indulge 
the  solitude  of  my  feelings,  and  reflect  upon  the  changing  scenes  <tf 
time.  Mere  was  the  place  where  I  mourned  my  wretched  st^te, 
when  unreconciled  to  God.  Tlu^re,  beneath  the  shade  of  that  wootl. 
T  supplicated  Heaven's  mercy;  and  there  despaired,  fearing  my 
day  of  grace  was  over,  and  my  state  unalterably  lixcd.  But  ()  the 
change,  since  that  distressing  hour!  Bless  the  Lonl,  that  my  soul 
ever  experienced  it.  Here,  when  the  '  wo'  was  laid  on  me  if  I 
preached  not  the  gospel,  T  walked  on  th(;  banks  of  this  little  riv- 
ulet, and  wept,  saying,  "  Lord,  J  am  a  child,  how  can  I  go  ?"  There, 
while  on  my  knees,  beneath  th(^  boughs  of  that  white-wood  tree,  I 
resolved  to  obey  the  Lord,  and  be  an  exile  and  a  wanderer  in  the 
earth  to  preach  the  gospel  of  Christ.  Here  stood  the  dwelling  in 
which  I  bowed,  on  the  morning  of  my  departure,  with  my  parent*, 
sister  and  brothers,  and  for  the  last  time,  heard  my  dear  mother's 
voice  Hilled  to  (Jod  in  prayer.  Here  my  mother,  trembling,  gav«' 
the  parting  hand,  whil(»  the  tears  that  rolled  down  her  cheek,  be- 
spoke the  parting  severe.  Now  she  is  gone — that  bosom  is  heaved 
by  affliction  no  more.  As  for  myself,  I  am  an  exile  ;  still  but  a 
child  of  sixteen — strewing  my  t<!ars  from  place  to  place — wearing 
out  my  Yii'o,  and  exi)(»sing  mysrlf  to  a  premature  death  for  the  wel- 
fare of  my  fellow  mortals — who  for  this,  often  aim  the  vile  weajjons 
of  sland(»r  and  detraction.  Often  I  lack  the  necessaries  of  life — 
but  immediat(;ly  scmiething  whispered,  '  Hush,  David.  Shall  mor- 
tal man  complain  ?  Thou  h;vst  rec<Mved  thy  pension,  a  hundred 
fold  in  this  life,  with  persecution,  which  is  a  part  of  thy  salary ; 
therefore  thou  art  blessed.  Cast  thine  eyes  above,  ihorc  thou  hast 
an  Almighty  Friend ;  there  is  thy  iidieritance  and  thy  trcjisure. 
And  a^  thy  day  is,  shall  thy  strength  be."     Peace  flowed  into  my 


''•^- 


DAVID    MARKS. 


87 


I  one  of 
iniuson ; 
ut  I'roni 

journey 
1,  thric»? 
in  Milo, 
jd  some 
»  of  the 
seemc«l 
ayertJ  of 

•ut  found 
,  in  Con- 
adjaoent 
-eturn,  I 
)  indulge 
scones  of 
ie<l  state, 
lat  wood, 
aring  my 
Jut ()  the 
i  my  soul 
1  mc  if  I 
little  riv- 
?"  There, 
od  tree,  1 
rcr  in  the 
welling  in 
y  parenth, 

mother's 
llnj;,  f5av.> 
heck,  be- 

is  heaved 
still  but  a 

-wearinji 
)r  the  wel- 

e  weapons 
s  of  life — 
Shall  mor- 

i  hundred 

hy  salary ; 

ihou  hast 

r  tresisure. 

d  into  my 


•M.ul,  and  I  exclaimed,  "  T^rd  Jesut*,  %  will,  not  mine,  bo  done. 
Help  me  in  patience  to  |h>9scss  my  soul,  and  make  me  useful  in 
thy  vinevanl,  the  little  time  thou  shall  allot  to  \m  m  this  vale  of 
tears.  Wh.n  in  death's  cold  arms  I  fall,  tliou«rh  it  he  in  s<mie  dis- 
tant land,  lUr  i'rom  my  native  soil,  be  thou  my  friend,  luid  accom- 
pany mc  throu;,dj  the  gloomy  vale.  May  my  llesh  rest  in  hope, 
and  in  the  morning  of  the  resurrection,  ha\e  an  entrance  into  the 
celestial  city,  where  thy  soil  hand  shall  wip<'  away  all  teara,  thj 
children  he  united  in  one,  and  with  their  harps  all  tuned,  sing  that 
aong  which  never  ends." 


V'.-.V~^^VN*^N**.^   . 


CIIArTEll  IX. 

A  Journey  to  Connecticut. — Another  to  Upper  Canada  ;  and  tk$ 
particulars  of  my  travels,  to  the  aye  of  seventeen  years. 

From  the  commencement  of  my  travels  I  had  often  wished  to 
visit  my  relatives  in  Connecticut,  and  according  to  the  grace  giren 
mc,  preach  the  gospel  in  that  section  also.  Now  the  long  desired 
opportimity  presented,  and  I  concluded,  after  visiting  my  bixithers, 
and  {)reiuhing  in  .Junius,  to  depart  immediately.  Saturday  and 
Sahhiidi,  Sept.  11  and  l-'i,  I  attended  three  meetings  in  Galen,  and 
had  tli(>  satisfaction  of  seciing  on(r  that  had  been  awakened  in  mj 
last  meeting  in  this  place,  now  rejoicing  in  God.  O,  the  value  of 
one  soul.  The  next  day,  after  riding  forty  miles,  I  preached  a  dull 
sermon.  The  day  following,  I  reached  Brookfield,  and  was  wel- 
eome<l  by  my  friends  with  expressions  of  surprise  and  gladness,— 
for  having  heard  that  1  had  been  assassinated,  they  expected  to 
see  my  face  no  more.  I  attended  three  mi^etings  with  them,  in 
which  we  were  blessed  with  the  smiles  of  the  Savior.  On  Friday, 
I  rode  thirty  miles  through  the  rain  to  Cherry  Valley,  and  appoint- 
ed a  meeting  in  the  eveniiig  at  the  academy.  Many  of  the  villa- 
gers, excited  by  curiosity,  came  out  to  hear  the  "  little  stranger  ;" 
and  by  the  weeping  of  some,  and  the  s<M'iousness  of  all,  it  seemed 
that  good  was  done.  Saturday,  after  travelling  forty  mih^s,  I  again 
found  myself  nearly  destitute  of  money.  My  supper  was  given 
me,  and  in  the  morning  I  paid  my  last  money  lor  the  night's  lodg- 
ing, and  left  a  vest  as  security  for  my  horse-keeping,  till  my  re- 
turn. Proceeding  on  my  way  twenty  miles  to  Greenville,  I  saw  a 
congregation  coming  out  of  a  school  house,  ar\d  was  impressed  to 
kneel  on  the  green  and  pray.     This  I  did,  and  found  access  to  the 


88 


MEMOIRS    OF 


M 


throne  of  graon.  The  people  soliciting  an  appointment,  I  stoppo*! 
the  iif'ternoon,  and  prejiclied  to  several  huhflreds.  'J'he  I^ord  open- 
ed tilt;  h(>art.H  of  some,  and  ihny  eonuiuinieated  about  three  dollars. 
Thus  (lid  kind  Ilejiveii  a^ain  supply  my  necessities.  Monday,  I 
cross(?d  the  Norlli  river  at  Hudson,  and  preached  at  a  tavern  in 
Egremont,  Mass.  A  young  man  of  the  family  manifestfMl  a  desire 
to  se(^k  an  interest  in  the  dear  Redeenu'r.  They  kin<lly  gav<'  nie 
entei'tainmcMit,  and  in  the  znorning,  after  praying  with  them,  1  left 
them  in  tears. 

At  evening,  1  crame  to  the  d\V(dling  of  njy  grandfather  IMarks 
in  Burlington.  As  both  he  and  my  uncle  Marks  wer(^  of  the  Epis- 
copal church,  but  myself  a  member  of  a  dissenfinf/,  conseciuently 
an  unpopular  order,  I  had  prei>ared  my  mi'id  for  a  cold  recejition. 
But  in  this  1  was  ha()pily  disappointed  ;  tbey  received  me  alfec- 
tionately,  gave  me  much  good  instruction  and  wise  counsel,  exhort- 
ed me  to  \h'.  humble  and  faithful,  an<l  discharge  my  duty  in  the  fear 
of  the  Lord.  I  found  my  grandfather  to  be  a  man  of  experience 
in  the  things  of  God,  and  possessed  of  that  charity  which  suffereth 
long.  He  despised  a  profession  without  experimental  religion,  a 
form  without  the  power  ol'  godliness,  and  a  ministry  without  holi- 
ness of  heart  and  communion  with  God.  My  uncle  also  was  as  a 
father  in  the  gosptd  to  me,  and  time  piissed  pleasantly  in  the  socie- 
ty of  his  family.  Ten  years  had  elapsed  since  T  had  seen  these 
kind  relatives,  and  now  the  privilege  of  visiting  them  and  the  pla- 
ces of  my  early  childhood,  which  time  had  almost  obliterated  from 
my  memory,  was  sweet  to  my  soul. 

I  visited  the  grave-yard  in  Plymouth,  and  beginning  to  search 
among  the  white  marbles  for  my  brother  Jeremiah's  grave,  soon 
espied  his  name  on  a  white  stone  at  the  head  of  a  little  mound, 
and,  with  much  emotion,  read  the  follow  ing  lines,  which  the  pass- 
11' g  years  had  erased  from  my  memory : 

"  Short  was  my  life,  and  sweet  the  date — 
I  called  the  Savior  at  the  gate; 
And  swecily  did  resign  my  breath 
Into  the  hands  ur cruel  death." 

His  good  advice  and  pious  warnings,  with  his   dying  words,    '  / 

fear David  will  run  a  wicked  race'''  were  remembered.      '*».h  1 

thought  I,  if  he  were  now  iilive  he  would  rejoice  and  t  j;la<l  for 
the  great  things  the  Lord  has  done  for  me ;  God  has  answered  ^is 
fervent  prayei's,  and  converted  my  soul.  I  gazed  upon  his  j^rave, 
and  almost  coveted  his  repose,  saying  in  my  heart,  if  faithful  to  my 
c/ilHng,  when  I  have  wandered  a  few  more  days  to  persuade  sin- 
ners to  be  reconciled  to  God,  my  lattei  end,  like  thine,  shall  be 
peace ;  like  thee,  I  shall  rest  from  my  labors,  and  my  works  fol- 
low.    Leaving  his  peaceful  grave,  I  went  to  Southington,  where 


I* 


DAVID    MARKS. 


89 


Rtoppod 
(1  opcn- 
(lollars. 
udiiy,  I 
vern  in 
II  desire 
avc  ine 
II,  1  IcCl 

Mrtiks 
le  Kpis- 
;([ucntly 
•ception. 
k;  iiU'ec- 
,  rxhort- 
the  IV-ar 
[)eriunce 
uiflTereth 
igion,  a 
•ut  lioli- 
ivas  as  a 
le  socie- 
;n  tliese 
the  pla- 
ed  from 

t>  search 
le,  soon 
1  mound, 
he  pass- 


ords,  ''  / 
d.  ^.h  I 
^lad  for 
^ered  'ms 
is  t^ravc, 
'ul  to  my 
lade  sin- 
shall  be 
orks  fol- 
L  whore 


my  grandfather  Merriman  formerly  lived,  and  whitht  r  my  parents 
hjMl  oUen  taken  me  wh«n  a  ehiUl.  Hut  hoth  n>y  j^'randfiither  and 
his  eompanion,  were  «;oiu'  '  the  way  of  ail  the  earth.'  S<»ine  of  mj 
unch'H  and  otlier  relatives  aljio,  were  no  more.  All  s<'emed  m)  des- 
olate, that  after  stayin;;  the  nifjht  with  a  brother  of  my  mother,  1 
w.'Ht  to  Middletown,  and  visited  Kldrr  .losiah  (h-aves.  He  nuir- 
ried  a  sister  of  my  mother,  and  from  him  and  his  family  1  met  with 
a  very  affeetionate  reeeption. 

Klder  Graves  had  been  a  member  of  tin-   Calvinistic  Baptist 
ehurch,  and  a  preaeher  of  }j;ood  report  in  that  denomination  sixteen 
years.     Then,  from  a   critical  exuminutioit  of  (lie   Sen  >>tu res,  \ic 
chung«5d  his  sentiments,  and  boldly  preached  the  doetrine   of  free 
snlration  and  free  communion.     For  this   he  wtus   viewed  jus  one 
that  had  departed  from  the  faith  of  the  gospel,  and   was  excluded 
from  the  fellowship  of  the  church.     Several  of  its  members  imme- 
diately 8cce(h'd,  an<l  with  him  were  organized  into  a  church,  ealling 
themselves  Frce-ivill  liapfists.     Hitherto  they  had  neither  ki.own 
our  denomination  or  sentiments ;    still   I  found  their  doctrine  and 
practice  wore  tlie  same  that  are  held  by  the  I'Vee-will  liaptists.     I 
enjoyed  the  privilege  of  preaching  witli  them,  and   Elder  Graves 
remarked  he  hud  not  before  heard  his  own  sentiments  fully  preach- 
ed by  another.     1  had  the  satisfaction  of  introducing  to  them  our 
religious  periodical,  [Religious  Informer,]  and  by  this  medium  thej 
became  known  to  the  d(!nomination,  and  soon  after  joined  the  Khode 
Island  Quarterly  Meeting.     After  visiting  an  only  sister  of  my 
father  in  Hartford,  I  went  to  IJerlin,  and  i)reached  in  the  rain  to  a 
small  congregation  in  the  street.     Some  good  appearances  were 
visible.     The  next  day  I  held  a  meeting  in  Southington.     Sunday, 
Sept  20,  I  attended  meetings  in  Southington,  Bristol,  Plymouth, 
and  Burlington,  and  the  day  following  preached  at  the  house  of  my 
grandfather.     Here  I  had  the  satisiiu'tion  of  meeting  my  father, 
but  enjoyed  only  a  short  interview  with  him,  as  a  chain  of  appoint- 
ments, extending  about  three  hundred  nnles  to  the  west,  now  made 
it  my  duty  to  leave. 

On  Thursday,  bidding  my  father  and  kind  relatives  farewell,  I 
proceeded  to  AVinstead,  and  attended  worship  in  the  evening.  The 
next  day,  after  travelling  thirty-seven  miles,  I  spoke  with  much 
freedom  to  a  congregation  in  Egrcmont,  Mass.,  and  at  evening  held 
a  meeting  near  tlie  city  of  Hudson.  The  assembly  was  large  and 
solemn,  and  by  some,  I  tnist,  this  season  will  be  gladly  remember- 
ed in  eternity.  The  next  day  I  crossed  the  Hudson,  and  preached 
to  about  two  hundred  people  in  the  Christian  meeting  house  at 
Greenville.  Here  a  collection  of  five  dollars  was  given  me.  Hav- 
ing an  appointment  at  ten  o'clock  the  next  morning,  twenty  miles 
distant,  I  took  my  leave  of  the  kind  people,  aiiler  nine  in  the  even- 
8* 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


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1.25 


Uii2B     12.5 
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2.0 


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1.8 


U    IIIIII.6 


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7: 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


4ss 


Hi  I 


90 


MEMOIRS    OF 


ing,  and  walked  the  greater  pai't  of  nine  miles.  In  the  morning  I 
reached  tlie  appointment,  and  preached  from  1  Cor.  13:4 — 8.  The 
S[)irit  of  Owl  was  manifested  in  a  speei.al  manner.  One  was  pow- 
erfully wrought  upon  and  fell,  upon  which  the  people  were  alarm- 
ed, and  hroke  the  order  of  the  meeting.  I  wjis  obliged  to  leave 
them  in  haste,  as  it  was  but  little  more  than  an  hour  to  my  next 
appointment  which  was  ten  miles  distant.  I  found  a  crowded  as- 
sembly, and  felt  that  the  Lord  gave  me  utterance  in  speaking  to 
them.  Many  appeared  to  be  deeply  exercised  and  wept,  but  some 
l»ublicly  opposed.  After  the  meeting,  a  stranger  gave  me  a  dollar, 
and  wished  me  success  in  the  cause  of  truth;  and  I  left  the  place 
rtgoicing  in  God,  who  had  favored  me  with  much  of  his  Holy  Spir- 
it. At  evening  I  preached  in  Sharon  to  a  very  large  assembly 
that  heard  with  attention. 

Monday  I  rode  live  miles,  and  at  sunrise  preached  to  about  forty 
people  in  a  field  ;  then  went  to  Springfield  and  spoke  to  about  two 
hundred  in  the  Baptist  meeting  house.  It  was  a  time  of  much  so- 
lemnity. My  soul  was  ha])py,  and  I  felt  to  praise  the  Lord  in  the 
congregation.  O,  the  stupidity  of  men  !  who  neglect  to  honor  God 
and  call  upon  his  great  name.  Alas  !  how  indifferent  are  thousands  ; 
yes,  the  greater  part  of  the  world,  notwithstanding  eternity  is  de- 
pending on  the  passing  moments.  I  rode  twenty-two  miles  to 
Plainfield,  and  preached  in  the  evening.  Until  this  time,  I  had 
travelled  on  foot  or  on  horseback,  and  often  with  great  weariness. 
A  friend  here  kindly  offered  to  sell  me  a  light  Avagon  for  thirty- 
five  dollars,  provided  I  could  pay  twelve  dollars  now,  and  the  win- 
ter following  send  the  remainder  by  mail.  I  thanked  the  Lord  for 
this  opportunity,  accepted  the  offer,  and  was  enabled  to  meet  my 
engagement.  The  next  day  I  attended  meeting  in  the  afternoon 
at  the  west  part  of  the  town,  and  another  at  Hamilton  Seminary  ; 
the  day  following  I  travelled  thirty  miles  and  preached  in  Cazano- 
via,  Pompey,  and  Manlius.  Thursday,  I  rode  thirty-five  miles  and 
attended  two  meetings,  which  were  truly  seasons  of  refreshing. 
The  next  day  I  preached  in  Junius,  at  the  house  of  Major  Cham- 
berlain, who  was  in  a  low  state  of  health.  He  processed  no  religion. 
but  was  under  serious  exercises  of  mind  and  requested  me  to  pray 
for  him.     When  we  parted  he  left  a  dollar  in  my  hand. 

Saturday  and  Sunday,  Oct.  12  and  13,  the  Benton  Q.  M.  was 
held  in  Benton.  We  were  favored  with  the  Divine  presence,  and 
our  hearts  were  made  glad  in  the  Lord.  In  the  Elders'  confer- 
ence on  Monday,  much  union  existed,  and  the  business  of  the  meet- 
ing was  transacted  in  the  fear  of  God. 

On  Tuesday,  I  attended  a  meeting  in  Phelps,  and  the  Holy  Spir- 
it seemed  deeply  to  touch  the  hearts  of  some.  After  this  I  went 
ninety  miles  to  Bethany,  where  the  Bethany  quarterly  meeting 


I 


DAYID   MARKS. 


^1 


,  and 
3onfer- 
meet- 


opcned  on  the  20th  of  the  month.  The  weather  was  extremely  un- 
pleasant, yet  several  asserableil,  and  the  preaching  was  in  the  pow- 
er and  demonstration  of  the  Spirit.  Our  hearts  were  warmed  with 
heavenly  love,  and  many  went  away  rejoicing  in  tlie  (Jod  of  their 
salvation.  After  meeting,  I  went  to  Black  Rock,  and  ci'ossed  the 
Niagara  river  into  Upper  Canada.  Proceeding  a  few  miles  down 
the  river,  I  took  an  active  part  in  a  Methodist  prayer  meeting.  A 
brother  det^ired  to  know  why  I  came  into  this  section  to  [)reach, 
rather  than  stay  and  preach  within  the  circle  of  my  acquaintance. 
1  replied,  that  if  God  had  given  me  a  mission,  it  wius  not  to  stay 
and  preach;  but,  according  to  Mark  1G:15,  to  "  Go  and  preach;" 
and  that  duty  led  me  to  travel,  as  the  apostles  and  the  blessed 
Jesus  did,  to  publish  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  all  classes  of 
men  ;  so  that  hearing  the  truth  from  various  witnesses;  some  might 
thereby  be  saved. 

Friday,  Oct.  25,  I  walked  twenty-two  miles  to  see  the  cataract 
of  Niagara.  I  descended  a  s{)iral  staircase  of  one  hundred  steps  ; 
then  casthig  my  eyes  upward,  beheld  the  rocks  towering  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  feet  above  my  head,  while  immense  volumes  of  water 
poured  from  this  height  in  awful  majesty.  These  circumstances, 
togc^ther  with  the  continued  roar  of  the  water  falling  into  the  awfid 
gulf  beneath,  and  then  passing  along  in  dreadful  agitation — the 
trembling  of  the  earth  around  the  cataract — the  rising  spray,  with 
the  attending  rauibow — united  to  form  a  scene  more  sublime  and 
impressive,  than  any  I  haxl  ever  witnessed.  Stupid  must  be  the 
mind  that  can  view  sucli  a  wonder  without  being  led  to  adore  its 
Divine  Author.  On  this  occasion  my  heart  adopted  the  language 
of  the  inspired  penman,  "  Who  is  /ike  unto  thee,  0  Lord,  among 
the  f/ods  !  who  is  like  thee,  glorio^ia  in  holiness,  fearful  in  praises, 
doing  uwnders."  "  77/e  heavens  declare  thy  glory,  and  the  firma- 
ment showeth  thy  handy  work.  Day  unto  day  uttereth  speech,  and 
night  unto  night  showeth  knowledge." 

While  beholding  the  constant  motion  of  the  stream,  I  was  forci- 
bly struck  with  its  analogy  to  man's  voyage  down  the  stream  of 
time.  A  few  miles  above  the  falls,  the  river  glides  gently  and  un- 
disturbed ; — so  the  morning  of  life  passes  smoothly  away.  As  in  a 
little  distance,  the  smooth  surface  of  the  water  is  broken  in  y)assing 
over  the  rocks,  and  with  inconceivable  swiftn(^ss  is  finally  hurried 
down  the  tremendous  precipice; — so  after  a  few  days,  the  fair  ai)- 
peaninces  of  earthly  prospects  are  broken  on  the  rocks  of  disap- 
pointment, and  every  passing  moment  hastens  the  living  to  ihat 
dread  precipice,  whence  they  must  launch  into  eternity.  i-Jtill, 
while  the  sons  of  vanity  know  this,  they  sport  and  amu.se  them- 
selves with  that  which  cannot  profit,  and  that  which  renders  their 
hearts  insensible  to  theii*  dreaJJ'ul  danger.     Thus  they  remain  stu- 


,       ! 


.'fi-i 


-4 


Jl 


X 


Hi,  4< 


92 


MEMOIRS    OF 


pidly  ij^iorant  of  the  horrid  gulf  into  which,  unless  they  soon  awake, 
they  will  as  surely  plunge,  as  the  waters  of  Niagara,  in  their  course, 
plunge  down  the  precipice.  Should  we  not  think  people  beside 
thernselvesj  were  we  tt)  see  them  enter  a  vessel  a  few  miles  above 
the  falls,  suffer  it  to  float  with  the  current,  and  in  the  meantime 
waste  their  hours  in  sleep,  or  amuse  themselves  with  frivolous 
reading,  dancing,  card  playing,  decking  themselves  with  orna- 
ments, or  gorgeous  and  costly  apparel,  till  they  should  find  their 
bark  leaving  the  gentle  stream,  and  hastening  with  awful  speed 
down  the  irresistible  current  ?  Then  in  vain  they  might  awake, 
see  their  helpless  state,  and  cry  for  assistance  ;-r-in  vain  might  they 
attempt  to  escape  ; — in  vain  they  might  turn  their  eyes  from  the 
danger ; — in  vain  might  they  strive  to  forget  their  condition.  Noth- 
ing now  can  save  them  from  the  sad  and  final  doom  !  Should  we 
not  pity  them  ?  Should  we  not,  before  they  are  passed  beyond  the 
reach  of  help,  labor  diligently  to  arouse  them  from  their  stupidity  ; 
to  warn  them  of  their  danger,  and  to  turn  them  from  their  fatal 
course  ?  Humanity  answers,  yes.  And  while  men,  floating  rap- 
idly down  the  stream  of  time,  must  soon  launch  into  eternity — and, 
if  not  aroused  from  their  insensibility  to  spiritual  things,  must  sink 
into  the  burning  lake  ;  shall  we  labor  less  diligently  for  their  eter- 
nal welfare — or  be  less  anxious  to  save  them  from  the  far  more 
dreadful  destruction  that  awaits  them  ?  Heaven  says,  no.  Rea- 
son and  revelation  say,  no.  And  conscience  approves  the  decision. 
But,  O !  how  astonishing  the  mournful  truth — that  men  are  offend- 
ed when  we  seek  their  welfare  ;  when  we  strive  to  awaken  them 
from  fatal  stupidity  ;  and  for  this,  count  us  enemies,  and  treat  us 
a.*i  foes ! 

In  the  evening,  I  held  a  meeting  at  the  little  village  of  St.  Da- 
vid's, and  after  its  close,  several  gentlemen,  as  they  passed  out,  laid 
some  pieces  of  money  on  the  table  before  me.  The  two  days  fol- 
lowing I  spent  at  a  Methodist  quarterly  meeting  in  the  township 
of  Stanford.  They  received  me  kindly,  and  I  used  the  liberty  giv- 
en in  the  gospel.  This  was  a  precious  season.  After  the  quar- 
terly meeting  closed,  I  preached  in  the  evening  at  the  Methodist 
chapel  m  Lundy's  Lane ;  and  the  next  day  visited  and  prayed  in 
several  families.  One  of  these  families  consisted  of  a  widow  and 
two  sons;  and  as  soon  as  I  began  to  converse,  the  sons  fled  to  the 
barn.  I  followed  and  prayed  with  them.  They  appeared  rather 
seriously  exercised,  yet  angry  at  my  perbeverancc  in  persuading 
them  to  be  reconciled  to  God.  At  1  o'clock,  P.  M.  I  held  a  meet- 
ing a  few  miles  west  of  St.  David's.  The  Lord  heard  the  groan- 
ings  of  his  people,  and  his  Spirit  reached  the  hearts  of  sinners. 
Twelve  that  were  awakened,  bowed  at  the  altar  of  mercy.     In  the 


I 


111 


DAVID    MARKS. 


93 


evcninfr  I  preached  at  the  chapel  in  Stanford,  and  the  day  follow- 
ing in  Ht.  David's. 

On  Wednesday,  I  walked  thirteen  miles  through  tlie  mud,  and 
attended  meetings  in  Queenston  and  Chippeway  :  in  the  latter  I 
was  much  shut  up  and  exceedingly  tempted.  My  trials  were  so 
severe,  that  like  Peter,  I  found  my  fiiith  weak  and  myself  sinking; 
hut  the  |)romise  that  we  shall  not  "  he  tempted  ahove  that  we  are 
ahle,  hut  with  the  temptation  shall  fmd  way  for  escape,"  encourag- 
ed me.  I  cried  unto  tlie  Lord,  and  hlessed  be  his  name,  he  heard 
my  cry  and  delivered  me  out  of  trouble.  On  Thursday,  I  attended 
two  meetings ;  in  the  latter,  at  Waterloo,  the  Lord  made  it  a  sea- 
son of  refreshing  to  his  saints,  and  of  trembling  to  some  sinners. 
The  day  following,  I  crossed  the  Niagara  at  Black  Rock,  and 
preached  at  Hamburg  in  the  evening.  On  Saturday,  I  labored  un- 
der much  indisposition,  but  was  enabled  to  attend  a]>pointments  in 
Aurora  and  Wales. 

Sunday,  Nov.  2,  I  held  two  meetings  in  Bennington.  At  the 
close  of  the  latter,  a  daughter  of  a  Presbyterian  minister  came  for- 
ward weeping,  and  asked  me  to  pray  for  her.  I  replied,  you  must 
pray  for  yourself.  She  said  she  could  not,  and  repeating  the  Scrip- 
ture, "  The  effectual  fervent  prayer  of  the  righteous  man  availeth 
much,"  again  requested  my  prayers  in  her  behalf.  I  asked  her  if 
she  was  willing  to  kneel.  She  said,  "  Tes  ;"  and  bowed  the  knee, 
weeping  while  I  prayed  for  her,  as  if  her  heart  was  broken.  Short- 
ly after,  she  was  brought  to  rejoice  in  the  Redeemer,  and  united 
with  the  Presbyterian  church.  At  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  I  preached 
again  in  the  east  part  of  Bennington,  and  at  evening  in  the  village 
of  Attica.     These  were  to  me  seasons  of  rejoicinjjj. 


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94 


MEMOIRS    OP 


CI1A1»TER  X.  ^     *      - 

My  travels  and  labors  in  different  places  ;  Revival  in  Batavia,  S^e. 

Monday,  Nov.  4,  1822,  completcil  my  sovcnteonth  yoar.  As 
tho  sun  iiroso  in  splomlor,  my  mind  was  filled  with  solcm!iity,  and 
I  rcyoiced  in  God  the  liock  of  my  salvation,  for  the  great  thin;^s  he 
had  done  for  me.  I  said  in  my  heart,  '  hitherto  he  hath  been  my 
helper,  and  in  all  my  tribulation  his  right  hand  hath  upheld  me.' 
lie  lias  sooIIkmI  every  sorrow,  and  poured  heavenly  consolation  in- 
to my  bosom.  '  O,  my  soul,  declare  his  greatness,  and  his  good- 
ness in  the  congregation  of  the  living;  and  when  death  shall  call 
thee  hence,  shout  his  praises,  and  s})eak  of  his  power  in  that  hour 
of  trial ;  for  surely,  had  not  his  arm  been  strong,  and  his  mercy 
great,  ere  tliis  time  thou  hadst  fallen  by  the  hand  of  Saul." 

"His  wortli,  ifnU  tlie  imtions  kiitw, 
Sure  the  whole  world  woulil  love  him  too." 

Now  I  covenanted  with  God  to  be  more  faithful  in  his  cause,-— 
pmying  that  I  might  sec  a  more  abundant  outpouring  of  liis  Spir- 
it, and  more  souls  persuaded  to  turn  and  live.  On  this  day  I  went 
to  my  appointment,  four  miles  north  of  Batavia  village.  Brother 
J.  Barker  received  me  affectionately  ;  and  being  a  stranger,  I  in- 
quired of  him  the  state  of  the  people.  He  declined  giving  any  in- 
formation, and  exhorted  me  to  inquire  of  the  Loi*d,  saying,  if  he 
had  sent  me,  his  Spirit  would  direct.  I  found  a  crowded  assembly, 
but  had  no  particular  text.  In  the  introductory  prayer,  I  asked 
the  Lord  to  direct  me  to  a  subject ;  and  opening  the  Bible,  the  first 
that  met  my  eye  was,  Proverbs  1:2^1 — 27,  "  Because  I  have  called, 
and  ye  refused ;  I  have  stretched  out  my  hand,  and  no  man  re- 
garded ;  but  ye  have  set  at  nought  all  my  counsel,  and  would  none 
of  my  reproof;  I  also  will  laugh  at  your  calamity;  I  will  mock 
when  your  fear  cometh.  When  jour  fear  cometh  as  desolation, 
and  your  destruction  as  a  whirlwind,  when  distress  and  anguish 
cometh  upon  you."  Believing  the  Lord  had  given  me  this  for  a 
text,  I  commenced  speaking  from  it.  "Within  ten  minutes  an  aw- 
ful solemnity  rested  on  the  congregation,  and  every  cloud  seemed 
to  disappear.  The  place  was  glorious  and  awful  on  account  of  the 
presence  of  God.  Poor  wanderers  lamented  their  backslidings, 
and  declared  their  determinations  to  return  to  their  first  love.  Many 
sinners  awoke  to  view  their  danger  and  v^jckedness  in  forgetting 
God.  When  the  ijieeting  closed,  the  greater  part  of  the  youth, 
crowding  around  in  tears,  requested  prayer,  and  several  kneeled, 


I 


t 


DAVID    MARKS. 


05 


while  T  ontroatpd  the  Lord  to  have  mercy.*  This  vicinity  liad 
loii<r  lieen  nottni  for  ncj^lcct  of  reli^noii,  and  thoujjjli  it  hml  been  in- 
habited seventeen  years,  no  n^vival  had  ever  been  in  the  phu'C. 
The  faithful  servants  of  God  had  often  visited  the  people  and 
preached  repentance,  but  j^cncrally  tJM^y  complained  of  bein;;,'  much 
closed  in  their  communications;  and  sometimes  almost  concluded 
the  Lord  '"•could  there  do  no  viiffhty  n'ork — hccausc  of  their  lutbe- 
lie/V  Ihit  now  he  unexpectedly  visited  them  in  mercy.  They 
permitted  tluur  eyes  and  (N'lra  to  be  opened,  and  many  dared  no 
lonjrer  to  bolt  tlie  Savior  i'rom  their  hearts,  lest  he  should  unsheath 
his  sword  of  venp^eance  a.trainst  them,  and  forever  foi-gcit  to  be  gra- 
cious. (),  how  f(;arfully  dangerous  to  reject  the  calls  of  the  gos- 
pel, and  slight  its  solemn  warnings  ! 

My  mind  was  again  brought  into  trial  in  regard  to  duty.  The 
appearances  of  a  revival  here,  seemed  to  demand  my  stay  ;  but  my 
ai)pointments  called  me  one  hundred  miles  to  the  east ;  and  having 
purposeil  returning  to  Canada,  1  had  also  left  appointments  in  that 
province.  Under  these  circumstances,  I  concluded  that  it  was  duty 
to  fullill  my  engagements.  So  leaving  an  appointment  to  attend  on 
my  return  to  Caiuwla,  I  went  on  my  way  November  C),  and  attend- 
ed meetings  in  liyron,  Ogd(!n,  Penfield,  Ontario,  Williamson. 
Sodus  and  I^yons.  In  Sodus,  many  tears  were  shed,  several  were 
awakened,  two  of  whom  were  soon  after  brought  into  the  liberty  of 
the  gospel. 

Sun(lay,  Nov.  10,  I  preached  in  Lyons,  and  the  Lord  gave  me  a 
tongue  of  utterance.  In  the  aftei-noon  and  evening,  I  held  meet- 
ings in  Sodus,  and  the  day  following  walked  seventeen  miles,  and 
attended  a  meeting  one  mile  east  of  Rochester.  Tuesday,  after 
walking  thirteen  miles  to  Ogden,  and  preaching  at  one  o'clock,  I 
foimd  myself  much  fatigued,  and  unable  to  walk  to  my  next  meet- 
ing, which  was  at  four  o'clock,  P.  M.  I  entreated  my  heavenly 
Master  to  open  the  heart  of  some  one,  to  lend  me  a  beast  to  ride  a^ 
far  MS  liyron.  Soon  my  desire  was  granted.  I  attended  meeting  in 
Bergen,  then  hastened  to  Byron,  and  there  had  to  leave  my  bor- 
rowed horse  about  the  setting  of  the  sun.  It  was  yet  eight  miles 
to  my  appointment  in  Batavia.  And  feeling  anxious  to  reach  this 
meeting,  [)articularly  on  account  of  the  encouraging  prospect  that 
appeared  there  on  mj  former  visit,  I  endeavored  to  obtain  a 
hoi'se.  But  all  my  efforts  were  ineffectual,  till  .night  came  on, 
when  I  niet  a  man  with  a  span  of  horses,  returning  from  labor.  Af- 
ter relating  my  situation,  I  asked  him  for  a  horse.     He  replied  that 


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*  Mr  .1.  Bnrkrr  writes  March  16,  ]84fi,  rospcrtirifir  thin  mcqjin^,  "Ymir  liiisl)fiiirl  came 
to  inv  lioiise  the  day  he  wns  seventeen  years  old,  mid  prcarhod  in  the  evciiinp  wiih  won- 
derful I'nwcr.  So  great  wbh  the  effect  on  Ihr  miprepation,  that  hiu  voice  was  complci*'- 
ly  drowiii'd  by  the  l«>ud  cries  and  8ob8  ofhi^i  hc.trcra."    [Ed, 


96 


MEMOIRS    OP 


his  hoists  li;i(l  labored  hard  and  cnUm  notliing  since  morning,  and 
it  was  folly  lor  in*;  to  att('ni[)t  to  roach  Hafavia  that  ovoning.  liut 
the  appoiiitrd  hour  had  already  'oinc  ;  I  could  not  reconcile  my- 
self to  I  he  thought  of  a  fiiihire,  and  offered  five  dollars  for  the  use 
of  the  horse.  After  feeding  the  heast  half  an  hour  the  man  con- 
sented, hul  would  take  no  reward.  I  reached  the  appointment  at 
about  half  past  s(;v(!n,  and  f'oimd  several  hundred  people  nnxiously 
waitln;.^.  I  enjoyed  a  favored  season,  and  the  heaveidy  clou  1 
seemed,  as  before,  to  hang  over  them.  After  returning  the  horst 
in  the  morning,  I  borrowed  another  in  liatavia  to  go  to  Canada. 
Tlie  next  day  I  crossed  the  Niagara  river  at  Lc;wiston,  attended  a 
meeting  at  the  village  of  St.  1)  ivid's,  and  the  day  following  preach- 
ed in  Thorold,  where  the  J^ord  lifted  upon  us  the  light  of  his  coun- 
tenance.    The  kind  peo[>le  gave  me  two  dollars. 

Sunday,  Nov.  17,  having  been  requested,  I  preached  twice  in 
Lewiston.  During  the  first  sermon,  I  felt  especitdly  assisted,  but 
in  tlu;  afternoon  labored  under  much  trial.  I  had  need  to  exercise 
faith,  and  strive  to  be  patient  in  tribulation,  knowing  that  this 
Christ  hath  appointed  for  our  good.  It  is  no  difficult  thing  to  re- 
joice in  tlie  light  of  God's  countenance  ;  but  lie  who  can  rejoice 
when  the  Lord  hides  his  face,  has  obtained  no  small  victory  over 
the  world,  and  boldness  in  the  faith.  Yet  it  is  the  duty  and  priv- 
ilege of  every  Christian  to  be  so  established,  as  to  be  unmoved 
amidst  the  most  trying  seasons  of  i)ersecution  and  affliction.  In  the 
evening,  I  preached  at  an  inn  kept  by  Mr.  II.  on  the  Ridge  road. 
One  of  his  daughters  then  lay  a  corpse  in  the  house.  My  mind 
was  directed  to  Matt.  9:18,  "  My  daughter  is  even  now  dead,  but 
come  and  lay  thy  hand  upon  her  and  she  shall  live."  I  enjoyed  a 
higlily  favored  time  ;  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  seemed  to  touch  many 
hearts,  and  tears  fell  like  drops  of  rain.  Being  requested,  I  at- 
tended the  funeral  at  10  o'clock  the  next  morning,  and  had  reason 
to  hope  that  this  meeting,  as  well  as  the  previous  one,  will  be  joy- 
fully remembered  in  the  great  day  of  accounts.  Mr.  II.  with  sev- 
eral others,  gave  me  five  dollars. 

In  the  evening  I  preached  at  Royalton  to  an  attentive  assembly  ; 
the  next  morning  to  a  few  in  the  east  part  of  the  town,  and  then 
proceeded  to  my  appointment  at  Batavia.  A  large  congregation 
was  present,  and  kind  Heaven  aided  me  in  dispensing  the  word  of 
life.  Though  none  had  as  yet  been  converted,  the  prospect  of  re- 
vival was  more  promising  than  ever.  vSeveral  were  heavy  laden 
with  a  sense  of  their  iniquities,  ami  anxiously  inquiring  the  way  to 
Zion.  A  door  seemed  to  open  so  effectually  for  preaching  the  word 
in  a  place  that  had  never  before  received  the  Savior,  that  I  thought 
it  duty  to  make  no  more  appointments  at  present,  which  would  in- 
fringe on  any  opportunity  for  usefulness  in  this  vicinity.     Wednee- 


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DAVID    MAIIKS. 


97 


V 


day,  Nov.  20,  I  visited  and  i)rayed  with  fifteen  fjiinilics,  and  found 
<^ev«'rid  anionjjj  the  number  se<'kin^  Jesus  sorrowin^i:.  In  tlie  even- 
in};,  I  held  a  meetinjj;  al  a  jdace  called  Sodom,  vvliieh  I  understotKl 
was  so  nauu'd  on  iiccoiuif  of  tlie  \viek<'dness  of  tlu'  people.  The, 
next  diiy  I  visited  from  house  to  house,  sti'vin*;  with  tears  to  per- 
suad<'  tlie  iuhai»ilauts  to  flee  from  the  storm  of  wrath  that  awaita 
the  unjrodly,  and  ncvk  for  refujj;e  in  the  "sinner's  Friend."  In  the 
evenin<;  we  held  a  meetinj;  <»n  the  town  line,  and  enjoyed  a  profit- 
al)le  time.  IJarkslidrrs  look  words  and  returned  to  the  Lord.  At 
the  elose  ei_i,dit  or  ten  eanu3  forward  and  kneeled,  whih'  their  tears 
and  si^rlis  manifested  a  deep  eoneern  for  their  et<'rnal  welfare. 

On  Friday,  I  visited  several  <hmilies,  held  one  meeting  in  Staf- 
ford, and  another  in  I.e  Hoy,  where  the  Lord  gave  me  a  tongue  of 
utterance.  (in>at  sohnnnity  rested  m  the  people,  and  many  Irem- 
ble(l  under  the  mighty  power  of  God.  Several  were  awakened, 
and  shortly  after  I  learned  that  fourteen  of  the  mnnber  had  ex- 
perienced a  change  of  heart,  and  were  happy  in  the  Redeemer.  O 
blessed  be  the  Lord,  for  his  wondeHul  work«  among  the  ehildi'cn 
of  men. 

Saturday,  wc  met  in  Batavia  for  a  conference.  Sevei'al  related 
their  exercises  of  mind,  some  expressed  their  desires  for  salvation, 
and  entreated  an  inten  st  in  the  prayers  of  the  saints.  Sunday, 
Nov.  21,  early  in  the  morning  the  house  of  worship  was  fdled  to 
overflowing.  In  the  former  part  of  the  day  my  mind  was  direct- 
ed to  2  Kings  7:3,  4,  "  And  there  were  four  lej)rous  men  at  the 
entering  in  of  the  gate,  and  they  said  one  to  another.  Why  sit  we 
here  until  we  die  ?  If  we  say  wc  will  enter  into  the  city,  then  the 
famine  is  in  the  city,  and  wc  shall  die  there ;  and  if  we  sit  here  we 
die  also.  Now  therefore  come,  and  let  us  fall  unto  the  host  of  the 
Syrians;  if  they  save  us  alive  we  shall  live,  and  if  they  kill  us  Ave 
shall  but  die."  In  the  afternoon,  my  text  was,  Ileb.  11:24,  25,  26, 
•'  liy  faith  Moses,  when  he  was  come  to  years,  refused  to  be  called 
the  son  of  Pharoah's  daughter,  choosing  rather  to  suffer  aiHi-  *ion 
with  the  people  of  God,  than  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin  '  '^  a 
season  ;  esteeming  the  reproach  of  Christ  greater  riches  thar.  i  he 
treasures  in  Egypt,  for  he  had  respect  unto  the  recompense  of  the 
reward."  It  was  a  heart  searching  time  among  sinners,  and  attend- 
ed with  some  new  cases  of  awakening.  At  evening  I  held  anoth- 
er meeting  in  the  same  place.  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  was  power- 
fully manifested,  and  the  sighs  of  heavy  laden  souls  were  heard  in 
every  part  of  the  assembly.  The  cries,  "  Lord  have  mercy  /"  and 
•'  Pray  for  me  .^"  saluted  our  ears  from  some  of  the  most  respecta- 
ble young  people  in  the  place.  Twenty-five  came  forward  and 
kneeled  while  prayer  was  offered  in  their  behalf.  Truly,  the  tall 
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98 


MEMOIRS    OF 


oak«  of  Hnwlum  wore  m-.u\o.  to  bow  Ixiforc  the  Cod  wlio  rulolh  in 
the  army  of  hcavciii,  and  arnori;^  the.  inliabilaiits  of  tlic;  earth. 

On  Tnesjlny,  in  the  same  place,  I  spoke;  with  much  freedom 
nearly  (wo  Iionrs,  from  1  Cor.  'J;M).  ^^  J'^or /irrcssih/ is  hiul  upon 
me  ;  ycd,  ifo  is  unto  me  if  I  prenrh  not  tlie  ijospel  l"  Afh'r  ser- 
mon, lorty-otK!  spoke,  twcdvc  of  whom  wen;  seeking  th<!  Lord  sor- 
rowing ;  while  cries  and  sol)s  wore  h(!ard  in  alnjost  every  ]>art  of 
the  assembly.  Among  thos(i  wlio  spoke,  were  sev<'ral  that  hswl 
never  Ix^fore  said  anything  pnl)rK;ly  on  Ihc  subject  of  religion. 
They  now  freely  confessed  their  sins,  r<'latcd  (he  exercises  of  (heir 
minds  since;  tlieir  awakening,  and  dedartMl  their  resolutions  (o  re- 
form ami  tiu'n  to  Jesus.  Several  were  soon  brought  to  rejoice,  and 
they  praisiid  the  Lord  aloud.  At  the  close  of  llie  meeting  lliirty, 
firmly  fixed  on  seeking  heavenly  joy^^,  came  forward  and  kneeded 
at  the  altar  of  mercy.  Whih;  I  belu  Id  the  proud  youth,  wlio  hiwl 
been  forg(!tful  of  tlu;  Savioi*  that  all  their  miscu'ies  bore,  come  for- 
ward weeping  and  crying  to  Ciod  for  mercy,  my  heart  was  greatly 
affected  and  my  feedings  almost  overpowered  me.  Yet,  I  rejoic- 
ed in  hope  of  tlieir  dediverance  from  sin,  and  soon  was  glad  to  find 
six  happy  converts  united  in  exhorting  their  mourning  tussociatcs 
not  to  despair,  but  to  look  earnestly  to  the  Loid  for  salvation.  The 
day  following  I  held  a  meeting  on  the  town  line  of  liatavia  and 
Staflford,  in  which  one  cried  for  mercy,  and  soon  professed  to  find 
pardon  through  the  "  Son  of  the  blessed."  On  Thursday  I  preach- 
ed again  in  the  revival,  after  which  about  twenty  spoke  of  the 
goodness  of  God. 

Sunday,  Dec.  1,  we  met  again  for  Avorship,  and  jus  usual,  enjoy- 
ed a  blessed  season.  Since  our  last  meeting  another  had  been 
converted,  who  now  gave  a  good  testimony.  Some  heavy  laden 
souls  were  almost  in  a  despairing  state,  yet  we  rejoiced  to  hear 
them  say  they  wc^rc  resolved  to  continue  seeking  the  grace  of  God, 
and  if  they  perished,  to  die  pleading  for  mercy.  My  heart  was 
glad  in  the  Lord,  and  my  soul  was  comforted  by  the  light  of  his 
countenance. 

On  Monday,  Elder came  into  the   place.     This  was  the 

preacher,  who,  previous  to  my  journey  to  Ohio,  thought  me  not  in 
the  way  of  duty,  and  who  told  me  that  either  he  or  I  liad  not  the 
Spirit  of  Christ.  (See  page  73.)  Now  on  hearing  of  the  revi- 
val, he  was  filled  with  great  joy.  For  in  time  past,  he  had  been 
greatly  bound  in  spirit  while  preaching  to  this  people,  and  had 
viewed  them  as  almost  forsaken  of  the  Lord.  Till  this  time  he 
had  appeared  unfavorably  disposed  toward  my  course.  Now  when 
he  witnessed  the  grace  of  God,  he  fell  on  his  knees,  confessed  his 
past  feelings,  and  thanked  the  Lord  for  what  his  ears  had  heard. 
He  affectionately  bid  me  "  God  speed,"  and  to  this  day  our  heart 


I 


\ 


DAVID  MARKfl. 


revi- 
been 
had 
le  he 
when 
led  his 
leard. 
heart 


ifK 


0^ 
He  hv\i\  a  mect- 


luis  bi'cn  like  (hn  luart  of  Duvid  and  Jotiatlian 
iii"^  with  IIS  and  enjoyed  a  blessed    .'ason. 

As  I  liad  ii|)|>ointineiits  leading;  nearly  two  hundred  nnles  oast- 
wai'd,  I  WM>  now,  loi'  a  lime,  under  the  necessity  of  leaving.  This 
Wan  virv  trying  and  painful  to  me ;  for  the  minds  of  many  were 
nuieli  exercised,  and  some  w<'re  almost  in  despair,  and  f^reat- 
Iv  needed  encouraiirement.  Ihit  wisliin^^  to  meel  my  <'n,<fa}jfe- 
ineiils,  I  c(»mmilled  them  to  the  cai'e  <»f'  the  ^rreat  Physician, 
and  took  my  leave.  The  winter  had  now  beconu!  very  cold; 
still  I  had  no  over  garment,  and  my  clothes  being  worn  con- 
siderably thin  I  had  suflered  much  from  the  severity  of  the  weath- 
er. Having  freiiuently  sjtoken  to  crowded  assemblies  till  in  a  slate 
of  profuse  pei'spiration,  and  then  exposed  myself  to  the  evening 
air,  1  had  taken  several  violent  colds  which  had  greatly  impaired 
my  h«*alth.  The  Lord  now  opened  the  heart  of  a  brother  in  IJa- 
lavia  to  give  mv,  a  great  coat,  which,  though  more  than  half  worn, 
made  me  very  eomlbrtable. 

Stuiday,  Dec.  8,  I  2)reached  in  Lyons  ;  my  h(>alth  failed  and  for- 
bad<!  the  immediate  performance  of  my  journey.  I  had  yet  sev- 
enteen ajjpointments;  and  after  resting  one  day  I  went  to  Junius, 
hoping  to  be  able  to  attend  them.  But  finding  myself  unable  to 
travel  and  meet  my  engagements,  I  was  com[)elled  to  abandon  the 
design.  Some  of  these  appointments  I  withdrew  by  letter;  still 
there  remained  a  larger  number  of  congregations  than  I  had  ever 
before  disappointed.  I  could  only  [)ray,  that  they  might  be  favor- 
ed with  the  Divine  presence.  After  staying  a  short  time  till  mj 
health  would  permit  me  to  travel,  I  returned  to  Batavia.  My 
friends  welcomed  me  afieetionately,  and  I  rejoiced  to  find  that  dur- 
ing my  absence  some  had  obtained  a  hojie  in  Jesus,  and  were  novr 
happy  in  that  love  that  passeth  understanding.  From  the  17th  of 
Dec.  to  the  close  of  the  month,  I  continued  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
revivid;  but  as  my  health  was  not  yet  restored  I  held  but  five 
meetings  in  a  week.  The  work  continued  without  abatement,  and 
some  of  the  converts  were  strong  in  the  faith.  Some  who  were 
near  a  despairing  state  when  I  left  the  place,  were  now  happy  in 
th(i  Lord ;  and  by  their  spiritual  exhortations  contributed  much  to 
the  spread  of  the  work.  Our  congregations  were  large  ;  the  Lord 
often  spread  his  banner  over  us — we  sat  under  his  shadow  with 
great  delight,  and  his  fruit  was  sweet  to  our  taste.  Opposition  and 
persecution  showed  their  deformed  heads  at  times,  yet  not  more 
than  is  usual  when  C4od  pours  out  his  Spirit ;  for  it  may  be  justly 
doubted  whether  a  revival  of  pure  religion  ever  passed  without 
more  or  less  opposition  from  the  ungodly.  Wlien  the  Lord  revives 
his  work,  the  adversary  rages ;  and  when  the  sons  of  God  meet 
t<^gether,  as  in  the  days  of  Job,  satan  comes  also. 


■:'M 


;.r 


V    'it 

J.  J' 


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ir 


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/  -  i' 


*  i" 


100 


MEMOIRS    OF 


S*':ll'' 


■>«   i 


On  tlio  first  (lay  uC  tlic  yv.ir  I.S2.'{,  I  prcrtchcd  fiom  Lev.  25:10; 
II«'iivrn  siuilctl  upon  us.jiiid  iiiiuiy  iciimrkrd  tliat  il  wim  hy  far  the 
happii'sl  New  Y<'ar's  dnY  flu  y  liad  cmt  seen.  In  iIk;  cvcniii;^  \\\r 
Lord  i'liablrd  iiic  k)  sp«ak  uitli  iimcli  Irccdom  to  an  asscniltly ^n 
EINa;  uI'Ut  whiili  wventy-two  spoke  (tf  (Ik!  vxt'rcist's  of  Ui(ir 
minds.  Atn(»nj;  (his  ninnlxr  wore  scvt'ral  conNcrts  who  had  re- 
(reivcd  tickets  solicilin^r  their  alleiidanee  at  a  hall  in  the  vina<j;e  of 
IJalavia,  where  the  tliou^^htU-ss  ^ay  were  to  waste  the  lirst  eveninfrot 
the  new  year.  Many  eovenante<l  to  spend  thi.^  year  in  hmnbh' ohe- 
dietiee  to  the  Lonl.  JJetwecn  ten  and  eleven  t\\v.  exereises  closed, 
and  scores  went  away  "  njoiein^  with  joy  unspeakable  nnd  full  ol 
{^lory  ;"  while  others  weij^lied  dctwn  under  a  sense  of  tl»eir  lost  con- 
dition went  to  their  hon»es  in  sadness. 

Arte r  a  few  weeks' absence  in  attendance  upon  the  Benton  and 
Bethany  quarterly  ineetin^ifs,  I  niturned  to  Uatavia,  and  heard  the  sol- 
emn tidings  that  one  of  the  happy  converts,  a  young  woman,  had 
gone  suddetdy  to  her  eternal  home.  She  was  brought  to  rejoice  but  a 
few  days  before  my  departure,  and  at  that  time  enjoyed  health  an<l 
the  prospect  of  long  life.  Soon  after  the  attack  of  her  disease, 
she  was  sensible  her  days  on  earth  were  nearly  concluded  ;  but 
amid  this  expectation,  the  religion  she  had  !at<dy  embraced,  buoy- 
ed >ip  her  .spirit;  and  when  passing  (lirougli  tli<?  valley  and  shad- 
ow of  death,  .she  rejoiced  in  hope  of  inunortality.  While  we  saw 
her  empty  sciat,  we  wei)t  for  our  loss,  but  rejoiced  in  the  consoling 
belief  that  she  had  made  a  hapi)y  excluuige,  and  joined  the  blood- 
Wiushed  throng. 

During  the  two  succeeding  weeks  I  labored  in  the  revival,  and 
held  eight  meetings  in  adjacent  towns. 

During  the  revival  at  Batiivia,  an  individual  from  Riga  who 
was  on  a  visit  to  this  place,  wa.s  ,  juchcd  by  the  i)reaching  of  the 
word,  and  afkn*  returning  hornet  was  soon  converted.  By  this 
means  I  was  invited  to  Kiga,  and  sc^t  an  appointment.  February 
11,  I  attended  two  meetings  in  that  ^fvn,  in  which  the  power  ot 
the  Lord  was  manifested,  particularly  in  the  last.  Several  appear- 
ed deeply  convicted  of  their  danger  without  an  interest  in  the  Sa- 
vior, and  confessed  their  resolves  to  turn  to  the  Lord.  I  left  them 
in  tears,  believing  that  some  of  them  were  nigh  the  kingdom. 
Nor  was  my  faith  vain,  for  soon  after,  as  I  was  informed,  five  or 
six  found  Jesus  to  be  precious  to  their  souls. 

Feb.  14,  facing  a  tedious  storm,  I  walked  to  Byron,  and  sj)oke 
to  a  few  from  Dan.  5:25  :  "  Mene,  Mene,  Tekel^  Uphnrsin"  Sat- 
urday morning,  the  snow  having  fallen  nearly  two  feet  in  depth,  a 
friend  kindly  sent  his  son  to  carry  me  three  miles.  I  then  walked 
a  mile  and  a  half,  when  my  strength  failed.  It  was  now  the  mid- 
dle of  the  day,  the  road  yet  unbroken ;  and  as  it  was  impossible  to 


fl 


1:H. 


I>\VID    MARKS. 


101 


I  who 

1*  the 

this 

|ruary 

or  ot 

pear- 
ic  Sa- 

thcni 

;<loin. 

ve  01 


iciU'Ti  mv  ai)))()iiitmc'Ml.s,  T  laiTicd  u\ov  ihc  Sahltath  and  atfcridcil  a 
nxM'tiii*'.  Moiiilav,  I  ictiinicd  to  VAh;i  and  l^atavia  and  attended 
two  in('etinj:s.  In  the  laltei',  the  conNerls  ga\e  nianv  exeeUeiit 
a?ld, weighty  exhortations,  whieli  j^reatly  cheered  my  lu-arf. 
*  B«b.  21,  I  went  to  the  ^^outh  part  of  Le  l{<»y,  and  preaehed  frcn 
1  Chron.  !):17 — I'.K  The  Spirit  o('(l«id  was  inanif'efted  in  the  meet- 
in<^  with  ;^reat  power,  and  wcepin;:;  and  hunentati(»n  were  heard  in 
every  part  of  the  assenildy.  My  heart  was  made  j^iladat  the  close, 
when  thirty  awakene<l  tiouls  came  I'orwanl,  desirinj^  the  prayers  of 
the  saints.     A  revival  followed  this  meetin;.'. 

Siniday,  Feb.  2o,  I  preached  aj^ain  in  Hatavia,  and  at  eveninj; 
held  what  some  would  call  an  "  ojx'ii  rluss  i/icefiiiij."  'rhon<i;h  \\v 
met  with  some  oi)[)ositioii  iVom  the  irn  li^^ious,  wv  were  encoura<j;ed 
and  made  stronj;  by  the  smiles  of  our  Master — by  the  Mijj[hty  (iod 
tif  .lucob.  The  day  follow  int;;  I  preached  in  Stalford,  and  on  Wednes- 
day attended  two  meetings  in  Le  Hoy.  The  latter  of  these  wa.s 
in  the  south  part  of  the  town,  where  on  my  fornu-r  visit,  thirty 
came  forward  for  prayer.  The  tissembly  was  large,  attentive  and 
solemn;  twenty  promised  to  s<'ek  the  Lord,  and  gave  me  their 
hands  in  token  of  their  co\enant.  Soon  after  I  was  informed  that 
nearly  all  of  this  number,  and  some  others,  had  professed  to  pass 
fi'om  death  unto  life. 

Friday,  I  went  to  Stafford,  where  T  had  an  appointment  ;  but  on 
account  of  illness  was  unable  to  attend  it.  The  next  day,  feeling 
ft  little  better,  I  walked  to  l>ata\ ia  and  preached  in  the  evening. 
Sunday,  March  2,  though  still  laboring  nnder  much  infirmity  of 
body,  1  went  to  the  soutii  part  of  the  town  and  heard  a  Universal- 
ist  [)reach  on  a  funeral  occasion.  This  man  was  learned  and  elo- 
quent, and  in  many  instances  had  been  successful  in  persuading  the 
wicked  that  it  should  be  well  with  theTU,  even  though  they  should 
die  by  drunkei  ness,  by  the  viohnice  of  their  own  hand,  or  on  tlie 
gallows.  His  text  was,  Eccl.  12:7  :  "Then  shall  the  dust  return 
to  the  earth  as  it  was ;  and  the  s|)irit  shall  return  unto  God  w  ho 
gave  it."  In  the  latter  part  of  his  discourse,  lie  stated  there  was 
not  a  passage  in  the  Bible,  which  said,  after  the  s}»irit  had  once  left 
the  body  and  gone  to  God,  that  it  should  ever  depart.  Upon  this, 
the  query  arose  in  n\y  mind,  whether  he  would  not  find  himself  to 
be  one  of  those,  who,  having  taken  from  the  words  of  the  prophesy  of 
the  book  of  God,  shall  have  their  part  taken  out  of  the  book  of  life.  (See 
Rev.  22: lU.)  For  says  Chnst,  when  speaking  of  that  awful  day 
in  which  he  shall  gather  all  nations  before  him,  "  These"  (the  wick- 
ed) "  shall  ffo  away  into  everlasting  punishment."  Matt.  25:46. 
'^Depart  from  me,  ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  fire."  Matt.  25:41. 
According  to  Universalism,  the  wicked  shall  not  depart  ;  but  ac- 
cording to  Christ,  they  shall  depart.  Which  shall  we  believe?  O !  how 


•#* 


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102 


MEMOIUS    OF 


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m 


many  of  the  unsuspecting  youth  .'ire  caught  in  tliis  fatal  snare,  and 
make  this  a  substitute  for  repentance  and  faitli  in  Christ! 

Marcli  0,  I  rode  forty  miles  to  Buffalo,  and  about  sunset,  called 
on  a  family  that  professed  to  be  followers  of  Christ.  When  «I 
preached  here  eighteen  months  before,  they  kindly  entert;iincd  m«, 
and  invited  me  to  call  again.  I  now  called  and  desired  to  leave 
an  appointment — but  they  told  m(%  as  the  people  w(;re  well  inform- 
ed, and  pretty  particular,  they  would  not  receive  the  word  from  one 
of  my  age,  ability,  and  information ;  so  I  started  imnu'diatcly  For 
Hamburg,  with  a  young  brother  who  had  accomj)anied  me  from 
Batavia.  Ten  miles  of  our  road  lay  through  an  Indian  reservation 
that  was  uninhabited,  except  by  Indians.  Wlten  Ave  wfre  about 
half  Avay  through  this  wood,  it  being  very  dark,  Ave  mi^-ied  our  Avay 
and  followed  an  Indian  trail  three  miles  before  we  discovered  our 
mistake.  We  found  some  of  the  natives  Avho  had  lain  down  for 
the  night,  and  from  them  obtained  directions  for  our  return.  When 
within  half  a  mile  of  the  road  Ave  had  left,  my  horse  started  and 
ran  doAvn  a  stoop  hill  with  such  violence,  that  coming  in  contact 
with  a  bass-Avood  tree,  one  thill  of  the  sleigh  stuck  like  an  arrow 
fast  in  the  tree,  Avhile  i]w  other,  breaking,  hung  in  the  harness,  an<l 
the  horse  left  the  sleigh.  It  Avas  thf^n  about  1 1  o'clock  in  the  even- 
ing, and  we  Avere  six  miles  from  any  Avhite  iidiabitants.  AVe  cut 
a  bridle  into  strings,  and  fastening  tlie  traces  to  tlie  sleigh  runners, 
one  of  us  led  the  horse,  the  other  hold  the  skigh  to  prevent  it  from 
ruiming  too  fast  on  descending  ground,  and  thus  avc  arrived  at  the 
house  of  a  friend  in  Ilambuj'g  about  one  o'clock,  and  Avere  kiiully 
receiA-ed. 

Sunday,  March  0,  I  preached  in  BuffaM.  and  in   the  four  dj    s 
folloAving,  held  ten  meetings  between  Buffalo  and  Batavia.     Sot. 
of  the  assemblies  Avere  large  and  attentive.     Jietween  tin;  14th  an 
2r)th  of  March,  I  attended  meetings  in  Bethany,  Attica,   Benning 
ton,  and  Alexander,  and  spent  the  rest  of  the  time  preaching  i; 
Batavia  and  Elba. 

March  24,  as  I  aAvoke,  Elder  Parmenter  said  to  nie.  "  I  luv. 
had  a  dream,  and  I  believe  it  is  from  the  Lord.     In  my  dream 
went  to  the  house  of  INIoses  King  in  Groveland,  and  Avas  asked  . 
I  kncAV  David  Marks,  the  '■'■  hoy  preacher  V  I  answered,  "Yes;"  to 
which   they  replied,   "  he  is  near  by  in  a  swamp,  cutting  cedar  t<i 
build  a  house  ;  and  for  several  days  has  been   waiting  vbr  you  to 
come  and  assist  him  in  putting  it  up.'  "      He  then  said,  if  I  Avould 
go  to  Groveland,  he  believed  I  should  there  see  the  Avork  of  the 
Lord.     This  toAvn  I  had  never  visited,  and  did  not  recollect  of  hav- 
ing heard  even  its  name.     I  felt  rather  inclined  to  visit  the  place 
immediately,  but  made  no  conclusion  till  the  next  morning,  when 
Elder  P.  said  to  me,  "  I  have  dreamed  yet  another  dream ;"  Avhich 


:«3fc 


(li 


am 

ikcd  .. 


DAVID    MARKS. 


lO^i 


he  related  a^s  follows:  '•  I  was  at  tlit;  house  of  William  Whltiuan  in 
the  town  of  Geneseo,  three  miles  from  Moses  King's  in  CJlrove- 
hunl,  and  brother  W.  a«;ked  me  the  same  question  that  was  pro- 
|>osed  to  me  in  my  former  dreaui,  and  received  the  same  answer. 
He  further  said  you  liad  just  been  there,  and  was  now  near  by  in 
a  quarry,  hewing  stone  to  build  a  house,  and  for  some  time  had 
been  impatiently  waiting  for  me  to  come  and  hilj)  yoii  buihl  it ;  al- 
so, that  you  had  that  day  remarked,  if  I  did  not  eome  you  should 
eume  after  me."  Then  said  I,  tiic  dreams,  like  those  of  Pharaoh,  are 
*'  one  ;"  God  having  shown  to  his  servant  "  w/iat  he  is  about  to  do" 
"  And  for  that  the  dream  was  doubled  ;  it  is  because  the  thiny  is  es- 
tablished by  God,  and  God  loill  shortli/  bring  it  to  passJ"  Gen.. 
41:25 — 32.  This  decided  my  going  to  Groveland;  for  I  firmly  be- 
lieved the  Lord  would  there  revive  his  work. 

Tuesday,  INIarch  25,  I  preached  in  the  south  part  of  Le   Roy, 
and  again  the  next  morning.     The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  attended  the 
word,  and  sinners  wei)t.     Ten  individuals  at  each   meeting  spoke 
of  their  lost  condition,  and  declared  their  determination  to  s(iek  Je- 
sus.    I  left  them  in  tears,  and  on  my  way  to    GroAeland,   held  five 
meetings  in  Riga,  which,  I  trust,  through   the  blessing  of  God, 
were  profitable.     In  the  last  meeting,  a  man  who  had  lived  nearly 
seventy  years  without  an  interest  in  Christ,  now,  for  the  first  time, 
expressed  an  anxiety  to  be  prepared  for  the  great  change  he  must 
s<x>n  meet.     I  also  attended  one  meeting  in  Wheatland,  and   the 
morning  after,  one  professed  to  receive  the  pardoning  grace  of  GimI 
at  the   house   where  I  spent  the  night.     On  Monday,  JVIareh  31,  1 
attended  a  meeting  in  Caledonia.     Some  .appeared   to  be  serious, 
oth(>rs  were  offended.     April    1,  I  arrived  at  the  house  of  brother 
Whitman,  in  Geneseo,  and  was  kindly   received  in  his  family.     1 
told  them  I  expected  immediately   to  sec  souls  eon^  erted  in  that 
place,  but  they  seemed  slow  of  heart  to  believe.     I  appointed  a 
meeting  at  his  house  in  the  evening,  and  spent  the  afternoon  in 
visiting  the  people.     But  few  attended  the  meeting;  professors  of 
religion  were  generally  in  a  lukewarm  stat(>,  and  the  prosjjcct  seem- 
ed not  so  encouiaging  as  I  had  hoped  to  find  it.     Tiu-  iK^xt  day  I 
held  a  meeting  in  Groveland,  and  tlie  pros])Cct  here  appeared  no 
more  encouraging  than  in   Geneseo.     I  determined,   howevc.'r,  to 
stay  a  few  days  and  see  whether  the  Lord  wovdd  r(M  ive  his  w<irk. 
For  five  days  I  held  meetings  alternatcdy  in  Groveland  ?ind   Gen- 
eseo, and  employed  the  leisure  hours  in  conversation   and  praver 
among  the  people.     The  congregatior.s  increased  in  each  town,  an<i 
an  increasing  solemnity  was  observed.     Yet  I  had  felt  disappointed, 
fearing  my  labor  would  be  in  vain,  till  in  the   last  of  these   meet- 
ings, the  hearts  of  some  began  to  melt.     This  encouraging  pros- 
[)ect  appeared  as  "  a  little  cloud  like  a  man's  hand  ;"  and,  ren\em- 


1?, 


104 


MEMOIRS    OF 


hcr'mg  tlie  confidence  I  felt  when  coming  to  the  place,  that  the  Lord 
had  sent  me,  I  doubled  my  diligence,  and  from  the  5th  to  the  10th 
of  April,  held  one  meeting  a  day  in  each  town.  The  cloud  of 
mercy  now  hung  over  the  place,  and  we  lieard  the  sound  of  rain. 
Scores  were  weeping  for  th<Mr  sins  ;  some  backsliders  retui-ned  with 
tears,  and  met  a  welcome  reception  at  their  Father's  house ;  the 
Laodicean  Christians  began  to  do  their  first  work,  and  again  to  en- 
joy their  first  love. 

Sunday,  April  13,  we  met  for  worship  at  a  school  house  in  Gen- 
esoo.  A  hundred  people  who  were  unable  to  enter  the  house  stood 
without,  and  all  seemed  to  hear  attentively.  As  the  meeting  com- 
menced many  began  to  weep ;  and  in  the  course  of  the  exercises 
their  number  increased  till  near  the  close  of  the  sermon,  when 
about  the  whole  assembly  were  melted  into  tenderness.  Several 
vented  their  grief  by  sighs  and  groans,  and  cried  to  God  for  mer- 
cy. This  interesting  interview  continued  about  five  hours,  and  be- 
fore it  closed  two  or  three  were  hopefully  converted.  Some  re- 
turned weeping,  others  remained  as  though  loth  to  leave  the  place 
till  they  should  find  Jesus.  A  man  over  forty  years  of  age,  who 
was  not  easily  or  often  moved,  wept  and  trembled  on  account  of 
his  sins.  He  said  he  had  sinned  against  the  true  light  in  which  he 
might  have  walked,  and  now  feared  there  was  no  mercy  for  him, 
and  that  he  never  should  have  strength  even  to  leave  the  house. 
Soon,  however,  he  gained  strength  to  go  to  a  neiglibor's  house,  and 
in  a  few  days  found  some  comfort ;  yet  he  made  no  public  profes- 
sion till  about  three  years  afterward,  when  he  joined  the  church. 
On  Thursday  I  held  a  meeting  in  Groveland ;  nearly  two  hundred 
attended,  and  we  had  a  refreshing  season.  Fi\e  or  six,  who  went 
away  heavy  laden  on  Sunday  evening,  were  now  praising  the  Lord  ; 
and  more  than  twenty  came  forward  for  {)rayer. 

Continuing  my  stay  in  Groveland  and  Geneseo,  we  had  one,  two. 
or  three  meetings  almost  every  day,  and  usually  some  were  brought 
into  the  liberty  of  the  redeemed. 

In  one  meeting,  shortly  after  it  conunenced,  a  young  woman  be- 
gan to  weep  aloud,  as  though  indifferent  to  all  around,  and  contin- 
ued without  cessation  till  the  sermon  closed  ;  she  then  arose  and 
said  with  emotions  of  poignant  grief,  "  O  that  I  had  never  been 
Itorn  !  Wo  is  me  that  I  have  a  being !  for  my  sins  cannot  be  for- 
given! "Would  to  God  that  I  had  died  when  a  child!  and  now  1 
should  have  been  happy !  O  mothers,  how  can  you  weep  for  your  chil- 
dren that  died  in  infancy  !"  A  deep  excitement  was  noticed  through 
the  whole  assembly,  and  several  fervent  prayers  were  offered  up 
to  Grod  in  behalf  of  this  young  woman,  and  for  some  others  who 
were  in  great  grief,  as  though  the  sorrows  of  death  had  compasse<l 
them  about.     After  the  assembly  was  dismissed,  the  young  woman 


DAVID    MARKS. 


105 


?,  two. 


Ill  be- 
ontin- 

and 
been 
le  for- 
now  1 

cliil 

irougb 

ed  up 

wlu) 
)asse<l 


\ 


I  I 


before  named  passed  through  the  street,  weeping  like  one  that  now 
felt  no  interest  in  what  the  world  might  remark.  It  was  truly  af- 
fecting to  hear  her  lamentations  at  the  distance  of  a  quarter  of 
a  mile,  while  not  only  those  who  attended  the  meeting,  but 
those  in  the  houses  and  fields  of  a  thickly  set  I  led  neighborhood, 
stood  listening  till  her  mournful  accents  rec<  d(!d  and  died  away 
upon  the  ear.  She  went  home,  and  asking  fojgiveness  of  her  pa- 
rents for  neglecting  their  warnings  and  counsel  to  seek  the  Savior, 
she  made  a  solemn  vow  neither  to  eat  nor  sleep  till  she  knew  the 
worst  of  her  condition.  Two  days  and  a  half  she  passed  thus, 
mostly  alone,  bewailing  her  state  day  and  night.  She  waa  sitting 
pensive  by  a  small  stream  in  a  solitary  wood,  when  suddenly  its  in- 
nocent murmur  assumed  a  pleasant  sound.  She  looked  into  the 
water — it  was  beautiful.  She  turned  her  eyes  upward — the  leaf- 
less trees  were  bright  and  praised  God.  She  exclaimed,  "  Glory 
to  the  Lord !"  and  returning  to  her  parents,  told  them  Jesus  had 
pardoned  her  sins.  She  came  to  the  next  meeting,  and  the  m'> 
ment  she  entered,  several  with  myself  were  confident  from  her 
countenance,  that  she  had  found  peace  in  believing,  though  we  had 
heard  nothing  of  any  change.  She  declared  what  great  things  the 
Lord  had  done  for  her  soul,  and  her  testimony  was  like  a  sharp 
sword. 

On  Monday,  May  5,  I  left  Groveland  to  attend  the  Benton  quar- 
terly meeting,  wliich  opened  at  the  Presbytenan  meeting  house  in 
Brutus  on  the  10th. 

Previous  to  my  leaving,  several  of  the  converts  requested  an 
opportunity  of  being  baptized.  They  had  never  seen  any  immers- 
ed, nor  had  any  one  preached  to  them  on  this  subject  since  the  re- 
vival. I  told  them  tliat  I  could  not  baptize,  and  as  there  was  no 
church  of  Free-will  Baptists  in  this  town,  they  might  do  well  to 
find  a  home  with  the  Methodists.  They  replied  they  could  not  do 
this,  for  some  of  them  had  been  sprinkled,  and  now  they  believed 
it  was  their  duty  to  be  baptized.  In  accordance  with  their  re- 
(piest,  I  had  solicited  Elder  Norton,  a  stranger  to  them,  to  come 
and  see  the  work  and  baptize.  On  Wednesday  and  Thursday, 
brother  Norton  preached  in  Groveland  much  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  people,  and  six  or  seven  related  their  experience  for  baptism. 
We  went  down  to  Conesus  lake,  about  half  a  mile  distant.  The 
day  was  pleasant,  the  water  clear  and  beautiful,  and  the  earth  ar- 
rayed in  all  the  beauties  of  May.  The  converts  ui  heavenly 
smiles  stood  on  the  shore,  while  the  spectators  lined  the  bank. 
Here  I  felt  the  warm  breezes  of  heaven  on  my  soul,  and  could 
scarcely  refrain  from  crying,  "  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest."  When 
seven  had  come  out  of  the  water  praising  God,  a  young  man  of  re- 


1*,  r  a! 

I: 


11/ 


106 


MEMOIRS    OP 


spectabillty  came  forward,  related  his  experience,  and  was  bap- 
tized. 

A  few  days  previous  to  tliis,  a  letter  liad  been  Rent  to  Elder 
Hinkley  of  l*arrna,  requesting  liiin  to  come  to  (Jroveland  to  preach 
and  bapti/o.  Three  days  after  tlie  first  baptism,  brother  II.  came, 
accompanied  by  two  brethren.  He  preached  on  th(>  Sabbath  ;  sev- 
en more  related  their  experience  and  werc^  baptized.  On  Thurs- 
day, I  proposed  to  a  younj^  lady  iii  despair  to  fast  two  days,  pray- 
ing ten  times  in  each  for  the  salvation  of  her  soul.  To  this  we 
both  agreed,  and  I  went  immediately  to  the  Bethany  (puirterly 
meeting,  held  on  the  town  line  of  Batavia  and  P21ba.  Saturday, 
May  24,  my  two  days  of  abstinence  closed.  I  was  quite  hungry,  but 
had  two  sources  of  satisfaction  ;  one,  that  by  fasting,  my  mind  was 
more  clear,  more  fervent  in  prayer,  approaching  nearer  to  God  ; 
the  other  was,  a  witness  that  the  young  woman  had  been  brought 
into  liberty.  On  this  day  the  quarterly  meeting  commenced,  and 
through  the  whole  we  had  a  comfortable  season.  On  my  return  to 
Geneseo,  I  found  that  the  young  woman  Avho  covenanted  to  fast, 
had  obtained  a  hope  in  the  Savior  several  hours  before  the  two 
days  expired.  Now  she  was  happy  ;  and  looking  back  to  the  time 
when  she  with  a  mournful  heart  made  this  vow,  and  viewing  the 
blessed  contrast  in  her  state,  her  joy  was  full. 

May  31,  1823,  Elders  Parmenter  and  Norton,  with  some  others, 
attended  as  a  council  from  the  quarterly  meeting*,  and  organized  a 
church  of  seventeen  members.  One  was  added  the  same  day,  and 
the  day  following  three  were  received  upon  baptism. 

June  5,  I  attended  a  meeting  in  Livonia,  and  after  the  sermon 
proposed  leaving  another  appointment.  A  professor  of  religion 
objected — and  stated  to  the  assembly  that  he  once  heard  me  say, 
when  speaking  publicly  of  my  leaving  home,  that  I  had  left  the 
care  of  herds  and  flocks  to  seek  the  welfare  of  souls ;  but  he  had 
been  informed  that  my  father  was  a  poor  man,  and  had  neither 
flocks  nor  herds.  He  also  said  further — "  He  says  he  is  but  seven- 
teen years  old,  and  I  appeal  to  this  assembly  to  judge  if  he  have 
not  seen  more  years  than  he  states."  After  answering  his  remarks, 
I  accepted  the  invitation  of  a  deist  to  dine  with  him ;  then  Avalked 
to  Conesus  lake  and  crossed  while  it  was  quite  rough,  insomuch 
that  once  a  wave  run  over  into  the  skiff. 

From  June  6tli  to  July  9th,  I  labored  in  various  towns  in  the 
vicinity  of  Conesus  and  Canandaigua  lakes,  and  saw  some  persuad- 
ed to  leave  their  sins  and  choose  the  service  of  Christ. 

In  Livonia  the  people  seemed  barred  against  the  word ;  and 
when  I  inquired  of  certain  why  they  repented  not,  they  replied 
that  they  were  waiting  for  God's  time  to  come  ;  and  thus  cast  the 
blame  of  their  neglect  upon  the  Lord,  saying  he  had  withholden 


DAVID    MARK3. 


107 


)ap- 

Ider 
iach 
vme, 

sev- 

>ray- 
8  we 
torly 
rday, 
I,  but 
I  was 
God ; 
ought 
1,  and 
irn  to 
>  fast, 
e  two 
c  time 
ng  the 

others, 
dzed  a 
y,  and 

crmon 
Icligion 
c  say, 
lit  the 
e  had 
neither 
seven- 
tc  have 
[marks, 
kvalked 
^omuch 

lin  the 
jrsuad- 

and 

|replied 

ist  the 

kholden 


the  graee  ncM'dful 
fltirrcd  up"  within 


to  enable  them  to  believe.     My  "  spirit  was 
me,  when   1   saw   nearly   the   whole   neighbor- 


hood ^nvcn  to  fafalif I/,  or  the  doctr'im' oi' predesft7intion.  I  ap- 
pointed a  mccling  to  examine  publicly  these  exeuses,  and  request- 
ed all  the  advocates  of  su(;h  doctrine  to  attend.  At  the  appointed 
hour  the  house  was  filled;  and  after  entering  the  assembly,  I  de- 
sired some  one  to  give  me  a  text.  15ut  none  being  presented,  1 
opened  my  liibh;,  and  the  words  that  lirst  met  my  eyes,  were  Ps. 
IH:20  :  "  iS/ia(l  t/ie  throne  of  iniqju'fy  have  fellowship  with  thee  f 
I  endeavored  to  show  that  the  jjrince  of  this  world  sits  upon  the 
doctrine  of  necessiti/,  as  upon  a  throne  ;  telling  the  wicked  they 
cannot  repent,  though  God  has  commanded  them  to  repent,  and  thus 
stills  their  consciences,  insinuating  that  the  cause  of  their  living  in 
sin,  is,  that  God  hath  not  (jiven  them  ability  to  turn  to  him.  I  believe 
the  Lord  tilled  my  mouth  with  arguments,  and  many,  I  observed, 
appeared  quite  restless.  After  concluding  my  remarks,  liberty 
wjks  given  for  any  to  confute  the  reasons  that  had  been  urged  to 
prove  the  guilt  of  the  sinner,  and  the  free  grace  of  God.  After  a 
short  silence,  the  minister  of  the  place  appeared  much  excited, 
and  asked,  "  What  is  the  difference  between  the  foreknowledge  of 
God  and  his  decrees  ?"  I  replied,  "  Decree  is  a  determination  that 
an  event  shall  be.  Foreknowledge  is  simply  acquaintance  with  a 
future  event.  And  while  God  knows  what  will  be  the  act  of  a 
free  agent,  he  knows  at  the  same  time,  that  he  may  act  otherwise, 
because  he  has  given  that  agent  power  to  act  otherwise.  And 
God's  beholding  his  act,  no  more  compels  him  to  act  as  he  does,  than 
my  beholding  a  man  act,  compels  him  to  the  same.  Foreknowledge, 
like  repentance  and  anger,  when  applied  to  God,  is  a  word  adapted 
to  our  capacity  ;  but  with  God,  strictly  speaking,  there  is  no  fore- 
knotcledge,  because  all  is  with  him  one  eternal  now :  '  One  day — 
as  a  thousand  years,  and  a  thousand,  years  us  one  day.*  Therefore, 
with  him  is  no  succession  of  events,  but  a  man's  death  is  as  mucli 
pres(mt  with  God  as  his  birth  ;  consequently,  foreknowledge  can 
go  no  further  tlian  afterhiotvledge  m  proving  decrees.  From  these 
principles  I  argued  that  foreknowledge  could  have  no  effect  upon 
the  actions  of  men.  God  said  to  Jeremiah,  when  he  sent  him  with 
a  message  to  the  house  of  Judah,  '  It  may  be  that  the  house  of 
Judah  will  hear.*  Jer.  36:3.  The  prophet  went.  They  did  not 
hear.  God  knew  they  woidd  not  hear.  Still  he  knew  they  might 
hear."  After  the  conclusion  of  my  remarks,  the  preacher  observ- 
ed, that  he  did  not  know  but  he  agreed  with  the  speaker  in  this, 
that  the  foreknowledge  of  God  has  no  effect  on  the  agency  of  the 
creature.     The  meeting  closed,  and  the  people  dispersed. 

Thursday,  July  10,  I  met  a  large  tissembly  in   Dansville.     Tlie 
word  of  the  Lord  was  quick  and  powerful ;  many  were  touched 


m 


ft'::' 


U    V 


108 


MEMOIRS    OP 


by  it,  and  their  hearts  molted.  One,  in  much  distress,  wept  aloud 
on  aceoiint  of  sin,  and  solemnly  enga;^ed  to  turn  to  the  Lord.  The 
next  morninf^  at  8  o'clock,  1  held  a  meeting  on  Oak  hill.  The  sol- 
emn power  of  God  seanthed  the  assembly,  and  caused  such  a  trem- 
bling, that  in  the  time  of  preaching,  their  tears  dropjjed  profusely ; 
and  one  cried,  "  I  perish  !  I  perish !  I  perish  !" 

The  ("nsiiing  nine  days  I  labored  in  Geneseo,  York,  Le  Roy,  and 
Batavia. 

S.'ibbath,  July  20, 1  sj)okc  to  a  large  and  serious  assembly  in  At- 
tica village,  and  in  the  evening  preached  at  Alexander.  The  Lord 
blessed  me,  and  filled  my  heart  with  gratitude  and  love.  Monday, 
I  held  a  meeting  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  Jesus  made  one 
in  our  midst,  and  at  the  close  of  the  interview,  eleven  came  for- 
ward for  prayer.  On  Tuesday  I  returned  to  Geneseo  to  take 
leave  of  my  friends,  and  bid  them  adieu.  I  had  enjoyed  the  satis- 
faction of  seeing  the  number  of  converts  increased  to  thirty-five. 
Twenty-eight  of  these  had  been  baptized,  and  the  church  increas- 
ed to  thirty-three.  With  them  I  had  enjoyed  many  happy  sea- 
sons. They  were  all  in  union,  and  the  parting  hour,  as  it  drew 
near,  excited  much  solemnity  in  my  feelings.  On  Wednesday  I 
gave  my  farewell  discourse  in  Geneseo,  and  the  next  day  in  Grove- 
land.  Many,  by  reason  of  the  crowd,  were  unable  to  enter  the 
house  where  we  assembled.  And  when  the  hour  of  parting  was 
come,  we  all  wept  sore.  A  sense  of  the  change?  that  a  few  years 
would  make,  so  affected  me,  that  I  could  scarcely  refrain  from  cry- 
ing aloud.  Alas  !  thought  I,  no  age  of  God's  grace  to  man,  has 
passed  without  being  stained  by  the  backsliding  of  some,  who  have 
especially  shared  in  his  favor.  I  looked  upon  the  converts,  who 
were  dear  to  my  soul  as  life,  and  queried :  "  Who  among  these 
will  depart  from  the  holy  commandment  ?  Which  of  these  who 
now  appear  so  humble  and  happy,  will  wound  the  Savior  in  the 
house  of  his  friends  ?" — I  could  not  designate  one  t1  at  I  thought 
would.  Still  the  painful  reflection  was  suggested,  that  it  is  by  de- 
grees, little  by  little,  that  the  unsuspectng  convert  first  finds  him- 
self in  darkness,  and  at  length  discouraged;  then  satan  leads, him 
captive.  "  Rebellion  is  as  the  sin  of  witchcraft."  '  O  !'  said  I, 
'  that  these  may  ever  shun  its  baleful  influence.'  After  much  ex- 
hortation, I  left  them,  and  proceeding  to  West  Bloomfield,  attended 
one  meeting  by  the  way  in  Richmond,  and  two  in  Bristol.  I  spent 
a  few  days  in  West  Bloomfield  and  held  several  meetings. 


DAVID   MARKS. 


109 


CHAPTER  XL 


\    i 


Particulars  of  my  labors  from  Aug.  to  Dec,  1823. 

Aiig.  1823.  About  thi:?  time  my  soul  was  weighed  down  by 
viewintj  the  shelterless  condition  of  the  wicked.  God  led  me  into 
his  sanctuary,  and  I  beheld  their  end,  their  awful  end.  Often  in 
my  sleep,  while  ima;^ining  myself  entreating  them  to  turn  and 
live,  I  lifted  my  voice  and  cried  aloud,  frequently  waking  all  in  the 
house  where  I  lodged,  before  my  own  sleep  departed.  Sometimes 
I  wouhl  speak  a  quarter,  or  even  half  an  hour,  before  I  was  suffi- 
ciently awake  to  know  that  I  had  no  assembly.  And  as  by  preach- 
ing from  one  to  three  times  in  a  day,  I  could  not  free  my  mind, — 
in  my  leisure  hours  I  wrote  an  address  to  the  unconverted  of  three 
classes,  "  the  aged,  the  tm'ddle  aged  and  the  youth,"  which  was  pub- 
lished in  a  pamphlet  of  twenty-four  pages. 

Aug.  9, 1  received  it  from  the  press  at  Canandaigua  at  2  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  and  rode  thirty-three  miks  to  Barrington  by  1  o'clock, 
P.  M, ;  at  which  time  the  Benton  quarterly  meeting  commenc- 
ed at  that  place.  During  this  meeting  many  of  the  dear  followers 
of  the  Lamb  were  quickened  by  the  spirit.  In  the  ministers'  con- 
ference on  Monday,  my  brethren  examined  my  views  of  the  char- 
acter of  Christ ;  and  .decided  that  I  was  not  sound  in  doctrine. 
While  in  Ohio,  I  stiiid  a  night  with  a  Methodist  brother,  who  was 
a  class  leader.  He  warned  me  very  pointedly  against  the  senti- 
ments of  a  people  called  New  Lights,  representing  them  to  be 
Unitarians  and  a  species  of  modern  deists — and  handed  me  a 
pamphlet  containing  their  views  of  the  character  of  Christ,  writ- 
ten by  one  of  their  leading  men.  His  object  was  to  inform  me  of 
their  sentiments.  On  retiring  to  my  lodging,  I  took  this  book  Avith 
me  and  read  till  midnight.  It  appeared  to  have  been  written  by  a 
learned  man.  I  was  but  a  youth,  unacquainted  with  the  doctrines 
of  men,  and  erroneously  supposed  that  if  called  of  God  to  preach 
the  gospel,  I  should  be  able  to  answer  every  argument  that  the 
sophistry  of  men  might  suggest  in  support  of  false  doctrine.  I  be- 
lieved the  Unitarian  doctrine  to  be  false ;  but  to  my  confusion,  I 
found  myself  unable  to  answer  the  arguments  I  read.  They  Avere 
new  to  me,  and  struck  my  mind  with  unexpected  force.  Still  I 
feared  that  the  talents  of  the  author  had  been  too  powerful  for  my 
youth,  and  falling  on  my  knees,  I  prayed  the  Lord  to  keep  me  from 
embracing  error.  But  as  I  was  unable  to  answer  the  arguments,  I 
imprudently  yielded  to  their  force  ;  for,  instead  of  impartially  and 
thoroughly  searching  the  Scripture,  with  a  full  reliance  on  its  testi- 
10 


rl;  'vt'J 


mi 

I'i 

SI.  ti 


110 


MI'M0IR8    OP 


m 


m 


1^! 


i 


I 


m. 


mony  conctM'ning  the  nature  and  t-haractoi'  of  Christ,  separate  from 
all  tl»e  doctrines  of  men,  1  falsely  supiKJsed  that  if  these  Unitarian 
views  were  not  consistent  with  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  the  Lord 
wouhl  enahle  me  to  discern  their  fallacy.  And  as  I  could  not  per- 
ceive how  two  persons  could  be  one  being,  from  this  supposed  diih- 
culty,  the  Unitarian  mode  of  i-easonin^,  and  the  Unitarian  views  of 
Christ,  gained  the  ascendency  in  my  mind.  This  circumstance 
liappened  when  I  was  sixteen  years  old.  JMy  maimer  of  i)reach- 
ing,  however,  continued  the  same  as  formerly ;  for  I  thought  my- 
self perfectly  safe  in  using  Scripture  language  while  speaking  of 
the  Savior,  and  I  wished  from  my  heart  to  believe  and  preach  noth- 
ing less  of  my  Savior  than  was  written  of  him  in  the  word  of  God. 
The  ministers*  conference,  though  composed  of  those  that  firmly 
believed  in  the  real  divinity  of  Christ,  thought  it  best  to  renew  my 
letters.  They  did  this,  not  on  the  })rinciple  that  they  believed  me 
sound  in  doctrine,  but  because  they  believed  the  Lord  had  sent  me 
to  preach  ;  and  they  believed  that  the  truth  of  God  would  lead  me 
out  of  what  they  called  my  childisli  thoughts.  They  gave  me  a 
solemn  charge  to  examine  the  Bible  carefully  and  try  to  find  the 
truth.  This  advice  I  accepted  thankfully.  The  issue  of  my  re- 
flections, the  sequel  will  show. 

Leaving  Barrington,  I  travelled  eastward  some  more  than  one 
Imndred  miles  to  Brookfield,  and  on  the  way  attended  several  meet- 
ings. Sabbath,  August  17,  I  preached  twice  in  Brookfield,  and  on 
the  next  day  heard  Lorenzo  Dow  at  Bridgewater.  His  manner  of 
preaching  was  very  peculiar — its  character  is  generally  known.  I 
could  but  admire  his  dress,  as  it  exhibited  studied  convenience  and 
profit,  independent  from  the  changeable  fashions  of  this  age  of  su- 
perfluities. In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  I  held  a  meeting  in 
Plainfield,  and  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  was  in  the  midst.  Tuesday 
and  AVednesday,  I  >vent  to  Fabius,  and  again  heard  Lorenzo  preach 
to  about  five  thousand  people  in  a  wood.  Fifteen  minutes  after 
his  meeting  closed,  I  spoke  to  about  seven  hundred  in  the  same 
place,  and  the  Lord  favored  me  with  a  good  degree  of  his  Spirit. 
Several  appeared  much  affected,  and  O  !  that  the  good  seed  may 
spring  and  grow,  and  bring  forth  fruit  unto  eternal  life.  In  the 
evening  Lorenzo  preached  at  the  Calvinistic Baptist  meetinghouse. 
His  subject  was  the  tree  of  life.  Rev.  22:1,  2.  He  remarked  that 
this  tree  was  generally  thought  to  be  Christ ;  but  the  circumstan- 
ces of  its  being  represented  in  the  feminine  gender,  "  yielded  her 
fruit,"  and  of  its  being  watered  by  the  river  from  the  throne  of 
God  and  the  Lamh,  and  of  its  being  on  either  side  of  the  river  gave 
the  preference  to  tlie  conclusion  that  it  is  the  church.  The  fruit, 
lie  said,  was  the  various  graces  and  virtues  of  the  Christian  ;  and 
the  leaves  signify  the  prayers  of  the  church  for  the  healing  of  na- 


f.*' 


DAVID   MARKS. 


Ill 


tioiiivl  transpirossion;^.  In  the  tUscour.^e  he  doscrihccl  the  differont 
ehisses  of  Cliristians,  and  said,  "Of  the  liaptists,  there  are  two 
kinds;  the  free-wilk't's  and  the  hound-willers  i"  then tnrning  tonu; 
as  I  sat  hehind  him  in  the  desk,  he  pnt  liis  face  eh)se  to  mine,  and 
hxjklng  me  in  the  eyes,  said ;  "  Do  you  be  careful,  and  never  get 
to  be  a  bouiid-wlll  Baptist ."  This  excited  a  smih;  from  some,  yet 
he  api)eared  to  be  perfectly  serious.  As  he  sat  down  he  invited  mo 
to  speak,  and  accordingly  1  made  a  few  remarks. 

Tile  next  morning,  liearing  a  Avagon  pass  at  break  of  day,  I 
arose  and  looking  out  at  a  window,  saw  Lorenzo,  who  had  lodged 
at  another  house,  hastening  on  his  way  to  Tully  comer,  seven  miles 
distant,  where  he  had  an  appointment  at  eight  o'clock,  A.  M.  I 
made  ready,  went  to  the  place,  and  called  at  a  public  house.  The 
landlord  met  me  at  the  door,  and  said  ;  "  Are  you  the  Levite  ?" 
As  I  queried  concerning  his  meaning,  he  said  ;  "  Mr.  Dow  called 
for  breakfast  for  himself,  his  wife,  and  a  little  Levite^  that  he  said 
woidd  soon  come."  He  then  led  me  to  the  room  where  Lorcni;o 
and  his  wife  were  seated  at  the  table.  Lorenzo  said,  "  There  comes 
the  Levite."  A  seat,  plate,  &c.  had  already  been  prepared  for  me, 
though  I  had  not  intimated  to  any  one  the  slightest  intention  of 
coming  to  the  place  at  this  hour. 

At  the  appointed  time  he  seated  himself  on  a  horse-block,  and 
named  his  text ;  "  Go  out — and  compel  them  to  come  in"  After 
his  introduction,  he  said,  "  We  are  not  to  suppose  that  God  Almigh- 
ty will  bring  men  in  by  irresistible  power,  as  I  pull  this  man  by  the 
collar  of  the  coat,"* 

On  the  same  day  Lorenzo  had  a  meeting  at  Otisco  lake.  About 
fifteen  hundred  people  were  assembled,  and  before  his  sermon  I  had 
the  privilege  of  addressing  them.  His  discourse  was  on  prayer, 
and  full  of  instruction.  In  the  evening  I  held  a  meeting  in  On- 
andaga,  and  on  Friday  at  2'clock,  P.  M.,  in  Skeneateles.  At 
three,  Lorenzo  preached  on  the  green  in  this  place  to  about  two 
thousand  from  a  clause  of  Acts  5:35  :  "  Take  heed  to  yourselves 
what  ye  intend  to  do  as  touching  these  men."  After  the  close  of 
his  discourse,  I  gave  notice  that  if  any  were  disposed  to  stay  I 


4 

5  '^l^  M 


'K 


K 
O, 


*  At  the  same  time,  seizing  my  collar,  he  drew  me  from  my  scat.  This  circiim- 
Rtiiiice  was  80  singular  and  unexpected,  that  it  made  me  laiigh,  till  I  felt  ashamed, 
and  I  wept  for  having  been  so  miu'h  off  I'rom  my  watch.  This,  and  several  anecdotes 
that  he  related,  excited  con8i<lerulile  laughter  in  the  assembly,  and  brought  a  trial  on  my 
own  mind.  After  meeting  I  asked  him  what  his  motive  was  in  being  thus  eccentric; 
and  remarked  that  it  appeared  to  me,  the  ministration  of  the  word  of  God  ought  to  be 
with  much  solemnity  :  and  such  things,  by  exciting  a  trilling  si)irit,  would  prevent  the 
good  that  otherwise  would  be  done.  lie  replied,  •*  Tliere  is  so  much  fatality  in  these 
little  villages,  that  many  sinncr-s  will  not  rejient  ;  and  still  they  ivill  cast  the  blame  on 
r.od,  saying  they  cannot  do  otherwise;  therefore  they  must  be  convinced  of  their  false 
doctrine  which  is  leading  them  to  destruction.  My  object  is  to  impress  truth  on  their 
niinils,  in  such  a  manner,  and  by  such  circumstances  as  are  innocent,  and  vet  will  not 
lu-rmit  them  to  forget  it.  And  as  to  their  laughter,  I  have  nothing  to  do  with  it;  they 
must  see  to  it." 


t|!    ( 


112 


MKMonia  OP 


would  preach  to  tljcni  in  fifteen  minuter.  A  thoiisHml  or  fif'treii 
hundred  reinuined,  und  Ustened  Mttentively  to  the  word.  On  the 
Sahhiith  I  hciird  Lorenzo  pretieh  to  six  or  seven  thousiind  in  a 
grove  in  Auhurn.  The  next  day  I  attenck'd  his  ai)j)ointnient  at 
Waterloo,  and  the  day  foilowinoj  heard  him  preach  twice  in  Gene- 
va. I  solieit<id  liini  to  attend  the  Ilolhuul  Purchase  yearly  meet- 
ing, and  preach  atU'astone  discourse  ;  hut  he  would  (.nve  little  en- 
couraj^ement.  I  went  to  West  liloomfield,  and  found  that  a  pres- 
ent of  clothes,  to  the  amount  of  five  dollars,  had  been  left  with  El- 
der IMilhird  for  nie,  about  fifteen  minutes  after  my  dej)arture  when 
here  before.  May  the  Lord  reward  this  kindness.  At  Rochester  1 
heard  Lorenzo  again,  and  enjoyed  a  pleasant  interview  with  a 
preacher  who  had  kindly  encouraged  me,  and  strengthened  my 
hands  in  the  first  of  my  labors.  Friday  I  went  to  Parma  and  preach- 
ed free  salvation ;  some  disliked  it,  but  I  trust  good  wjis  done. 

Saturday,  Aug.  30,  1823,  the  Holland  Purchase  yearly  meet- 
ing opened  in  Sweden  at  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.  From  impres- 
sion of  duty,  I  gave  the  first  discourse,  on  1  Thess.  5:19  :  "  Quench 
not  the  spirit."  At  12  o'clock,  Lorenzo  Dow  unexpectedly  enter- 
ed the  meeting.  Every  eye  was  turned  upon  him,  and  all  wished 
to  hear  him  preach.  Presently  he  named  Songs  6:10  :  "  Who  is 
she  that  looketh  forth  jus  the  morning,  fair  as  the  moon,  clear  as 
the  sun,  and  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners?"  His  discourse 
was  not  only  full  of  instruction,  but  also  of  the  Spirit.  No  use- 
less singularities  damped  our  joy,  but  every  heart  seemed  touched, 
and  we  felt  to  bless  God  for  this  sermon.  I  had  now  heard  from 
him  twelve  discourses,  which  were  all  quite  instructive,  though 
the  latter  appeared  the  most  powerful.  In  the  afternoon  Elder 
Craw  preached ;  and  in  the  evening,  meetings  were  held  in  differ- 
ent neighborhoods.  The  next  day  I  attended  the  ministers'  con- 
ference, and  received  a  letter  of  commendation  for  the  service  of 
the  church. 

A  pious  female,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Congregationallst 
church,  and  a  school  teacher  in  the  place,  observing  that  my  coat 
was  much  worn,  prevailed  on  her  friends  to  make  a  collection  ;  to 
which  she  added  a  few  dollars,  and  presented  me  a  garment  that 
lasted  me  to  travel  many  thousand  miles,  and  to  preach  to  many 
thousand  sinners.  I  received  it  as  from  the  Lord.  After  attend- 
ing one  or  two  meetings,  I  went  to  Geneseo  and  Groveland  in  com- 
pany with  Elder  Dean,  and  we  held  a  few  meetings  which  were 
interesting.  It  had  been  said  by  the  unbelieving,  that  as  soon  as 
"  David""  was  gone,  the  converts  would  tui'n  again  to  the  world ; 
but  now  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  finding  this  prophecy  false  ;  for 
they  were  all  apparently  well  engaged,  pursuing  the  way  to  heav- 
en,    lu  the  last  meeting  Ave  held,  nearly   all  the  converts  were  to- 


DAVID    MARKS. 


113 


•ictlicr;  and  every  one  present  spoke  of  the  lovin;;  kindness  of  the 
Lord,  and  expressed  uresoUition  to  persevere  in  the  frrace  of  CJotl. 
After  this  wo  visited  and  preaeh«!d  in  Naph»s  and  I'oidtney  ;  and 
crossing  Crooked  hike,  we  went  to  Jei^sey  an<l  hehl  several  meet- 
innjs.  Some  were  awakened,  ainonj;  whom,  as  I  understood,  was  a 
ph}  sieian  that  had  been  a  professed  deist.  Next  we  went  to  the  Lit- 
tle hike,  where,  upon  short  notice,  a  eonsiderable  assembly  eame  out 
to  hear,  most  of  whom  were  irrelifijious  ;  still  they  were  much  af- 
fffted  by  the  word,  and  when  dismissed,  were  loth  to  leave  the 
place. 

Tiuisday,  Sept.  9,  we  arrived  at  Benton.  T  retired  to  a  grove, 
and  dedicated  myself  anew  to  the  Lord  ;  solemnly  covenanting  to 
live  nearer  the  fountain  of  goodness,  that  I  might  know  the  height 
and  depth  of  perfect  love,  and  be  more  successful  in  winning  souls 
to  Christ.  Returning  to  the  house  of  Elder  Dean,  I  endeavored 
to  persuade  a  young  woman  no  longer  to  procnistinate  repentance. 
She  wept  profusely,  but  would  not  promise  to  turn  and  live.  Alas ! 
how  many,  when  the  Lord  calls,  and  makes  them  sensible  of  the 
awful  danger  of  living  in  sin,  still  harden  their  hearts  and  refuse 
their  best,  their  only  eternal  friend  admission,  till  sooner  than  they 
are  aware,  they  find  themselves  on  a  bed  of  languishing — on  the 
\erge  of  the  eternal  world  —  uni>repared  to  meet  the  awful 
"  swellings  of  Jordan !"  O  Savior  !  help  me,  teaeh  me  to  persuade 
them. 

Wednesday  I  held  a  meeting  in  Benton,  and  the  next  day  preach- 
ed at  Jerusalem  on  the  "  Judgment  to  come."  Some  were  touched 
by  the  Spirit,  and  wept  under  the  word.  On  Friday,  I  visited  my 
youngest  brother,  then  about  seven  years  old,  who  was  living  with 
a  man  on  Bluff  Point.  I  found  him  in  a  field,  but  he  did  not  know 
me.  I  told  him  I  was  his  brother  David.  He  wept — but  said 
nothing.  The  recollection  of  past  changes  touched  my  heart,  and 
looking  upon  my  little  brother  I  wept,  and  raised  a  prayer  to  God' 
to  protect  him  from  the  evils  of  the  world,  and  have  mercy  on  his 
soul.  After  staying  a  few  hours,  I  bade  him  adieu,  and  went  to- 
Dresden. 

In  tills  village  I  spoke  to  an  assembly,  partly  attentive  and  part- 
ly confused.  During  the  sermon  one  or  two  stones  were  thrown 
at  me,  but  did  no  injury,  except  to  witness  against  those,  who  thus 
showed  their  enmity  to  God  and  to  their  own  souls.  As  I  retired 
from  the  meeting,  some  one  threw  part  of  a  pail  of  water  upon  me, 
and  not  satisfied  with  this,  threw  stones  till  I  was  out  of  reach. 
But  as  David  said  nothing  to  Shimei  when  he  cast  stones  at  him,  so 
I  thought  best  to  pass  in  silence,  yet  gi'oaning  in  spirit,  and  reflect- 
ing on  the  Avords  of  Christ :  "  O  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  thou  that  kill- 
cst  the  prophets,  and  stonest  them  which  are  sent  unto  thee,  how 
10* 


■,n 


114 


MKMoiua  or 


ofttm  wouM  I  have  gutlu^nMl  thy  chihlnn  togcthri',  oven  as  a  lieu 
giitheroth  her  chickcMS  iiikUt  Iut  wings,  and  }«•  wouM  not!" 

On  Siitiinliiy  l.'J,  I  tiftciKh-d  monthly  nucting  with  th(!  chunh 
in  iJcnton,  and  preached  a  short  disconrsc  on  Col.  2:().  Thebrrth- 
rcn  apptarcd  to  rcnciw  tlaiir  strength,  and  resolve  through  the 
grace  of  Ood  to  he  hi.s  faithful  servants.  The  next  day  I  held 
two  meetings  in  Milo.  Much  solemnity  and  wei^ping  wen;  in  tin* 
assemblies,  and  I  eould  but  hope  som<!  g(K)d  fruit  will  appear  in 
eternity.  In  the  evening,  I  preached  at  I^'Uton,  and  it  jdeased  the 
Lord  to  favor  me  with  unusual  liberty.  Monday  was  spent  in  vis- 
iting and  praying  from  house  to  house.  I  delivered  a  discourse  in 
the  evening,  and  the  banner  of  the  Lord  seemed  to  be  over  my 
soul.  The  next  day  I  met  another  congregation  in  Milo,  and  while 
spe.aking,  the  people  were  clothed  with  nuieh  solemnity.  In  the 
mean  time,  an  enemy  came  without,  and  close  by  the  window  at 
which  I  stood,  gave  a  hideous  yell,  and  then  fled.  Ah !  thought  I, 
poor  guilty  man  may  flee  now,  to  keep  his  guilt  secret — but  a  day 
will  come,  when  he  would  gladly  flee  beneath  a  falling  mountain, 
to  hide  from  "  Him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne"  and  from  the  wrath 
brought  upon  him  by  his  sins.  But  alas !  he  will  not  be  able  to 
find  a  refuge. 

Wednesday  I  was  attacked  by  a  fever ;  but  having  an  appoint- 
ment some  miles  distant,  I  thought  it  duty  to  attend.  It  rained 
considerably,  and  on  reaching  the  place  I  was  very  wet,  and  found 
but  few  collected.  After  preaching  to  them  I  returned  to  Elder 
Dean's,  and  passed  a  very  restless  night.  Feeling  some  better  tlu.' 
next  day,  I  accompanied  Elder  Dean  to  the  west  part  of  Junius, 
and  gave  a  discourse.  Friday  I  visited  my  father's  family,  and 
after  a  short  stay  proceeded  to  Lyons,  and  preached  in  the  even- 
ing. Saturday  and  Sunday,  Sept.  20  and  21,  I  attended  a  two- 
days'  meeting  in  Sodus.  This  was  an  interesting  season,  and  good, 
I  believe,  was  done.     O  that  fruit  may  hereafter  appear. 

During  five  days  following,  I  held  six  meetings  in  Williamson, 
in  which  I  enjoyed  the  free  Spirit,  and  saw  some  good  signs  of  re- 
pentance among  the  people.  From  Sept.  2G  to  the  1st  of  Oct.,  I 
held  four  meetings  in  West  Bloomfield,  two  in  Eiist  Bloomfield, 
and  one  in  Mendon.  Some  of  these  wei-e  solemn,  and  a  few  souls 
appeared  to  be  penitent.  Wednesday,  Oct.  1,  I  went  to  Le  Roy, 
and  enjoyed  a  pleasant  interview  with  my  eldest  brother.  He  ac- 
companied me  to  Ogden  to  attend  a  general  meeting  on  Saturday 
and  Sabbath,  Oct.  4  and  t5.  We  had  considerable  good  preaching. 
Oct.  11  and  12,  I  attended  the  Benton  quarterly  meeting,  in  the 
town  of  Galen.  The  we.ather  was  rainy  and  quite  cold,  still  we 
enjoyed  a  precious  meeting.  On  Monday  and  Tuesday  I  met  at- 
tentive assemblies  in  Junius.    "VVTiile  addi-essing  them,  it  pleased 


DAVID    MARKS. 


115 


tlie  Lord  to  scud  liis  li;,'ht  into  my  soul ;  audi  felt  to  tlmiik  hi.^ 
iiaiiK'  fin*  tlu!  vrritication  of  liis  promise:  "X"  I <tm  with  you  af. 
iciiji  tren  unto  the  end  of  the  ivorhf."  When  dismissrd  the  pcctplr 
Wi'i'v  not  in  huHto  to  depart,  hut  nniaincd  an  though  tlicy  were 
still  Ijiinj^ry  for  tliu  word  of  lil'r.  Wt'dnesday  I  lu'ld  a  nRH!tin{»  In 
IMiclps,  and  the  day  foUowin};  had  an  ni»poinlnic'nt  at  Manchester. 
In  the  latter  place;  1  was  a  strangt-r.  niul  kn'  w  not  the  state  of  the 
pco|)le.  As  I  drew  near  I  felt  a  solcui  'mpre-ssion  that  God  would 
inuncdiately  rc^vive  his  work,  in,  omuch  tlmf  upon  iny  arrival,  I 
fttntcd  to  several  my  expectation  t/  seeing  the  .salvation  of  God 
ill  Manchester.  A  larj;e  number  wci''  convened,  and  T  felt  the 
special  aid  of  Heaven  while  speaking  to  them.  But  nothinj;  uiiu- 
Bnal  occured  till  a  young  woman  cried  aloud  for  nu'rcy  at  the  con- 
cluding j)rayer.  As  soon  jis  she  had  opportunity  she  addressed  the 
assembly,  told  them  she  wa3  a  sinner,  and  needed  salvation,  and 
{rave  an  affecting  invitation  to  her  associates  to  go  with  her  to  seek 
Jesus.  Many  were  much  impressed,  wept  bitterly,  and  from  this 
time  began  to  seek  tlie  Lord.  The  next  morning,  a  little  after  the 
sun  was  risen,  we  had  another  meeting,  in  which  several  were 
wounded  by  the  king's  arrows;  and  it  was  truly  a  melting  hour. 

After  pn^aching  twice  in  Williamson,  I  passed  to  Ontario,  where 
the  Bethany  qjiarterly  meeting  opened  on  Saturday,  Oct.  18, 1823. 
This  day,  though  heavenly  to  many,  was  to  me  dark  and  melan- 
choly ;  but  in  the  evening,  while  preaching  near  the  ridge,  the 
Lord  comforted  my  soul  and  made  mo  happy.  O  how  abundant  is 
his  goodness.  He  satisfieth  the  hungry  with  food.  Sabbath  morn- 
ing, worship  commenced  at  nine  o'clock.  Elder  Jenkins  preached 
in  the  Spirit  from  Heb.  11:10:  "  For  lie  looked  for  a  city  which 
hath  foundations,  whose  builder  and  maker  is  God."  This  was  fol- 
lowed by  an  instructive  and  refreshing  discourse  from  Elder  J.  N. 
Ilinkley,  upon  Eph.  2:8  :  "  For  by  grace  are  ye  saved  through 
faith  ;  and  that  not  of  yourselves  :  it  is  the  gift  of  God."  In  the 
latter  part  of  the  day,  after  another  sermon  had  been  given,  I  be- 
lieve the  Lord  opened  my  mouth  on  Matt.  7:14  :  "  Because  strait 
is  the  gate,  and  narrow  is  the  way,  which  leadeth  unto  life,  and  few 
there  be  that  find  it."  Not  a  cloud  veiled  my  mind, — I  felt  the 
l)ower  of  the  blessed  God  in  my  soul,  and  on  my  tongue.  This 
quarterly  meeting,  by  the  grace  of  God,  was  made  a  blessing  to 
many,  and  great  solemnity  clothed  the  concluding  scene.  Many 
retired  with  a  desire  to  become  acquainted  with  the  Savior  ;  and 
not  long  after,  several  obtained  their  desire.  In  the  evening  I  at- 
tended a  meeting  in  the  south  part  of  the  town  ;  and  on  the  next 
day  witnessed  a  pleasant  scene — the  baptism  of  six  happy  con- 
verts, who  were  added  to  the  church  in  Ontario.  On  the  evening 
of  the  same  day,  I  held  a  meeting  in  Williamson  j  and  as  the  in- 


^i:^ 


IIG 


MEMOIRS   OP 


i; 


tma      X 


(jiiiring  Greeks  showed  their  sohcitude  saying,  "  Sir,  we  would  see 
Jesus,"  (Jolin  12:21,)  so  eight  or  ten  in  this  meeting  manifested  tlie 
same  desire  ;  and  so  deeply  were  some  of  Li.  "a  affected,  that  they 
wept  aloud. 

Tuesday,  I  returned  to  an  appointment  in  Manchester,  and  re- 
joiced to  find  that  some  who  were  in  much  distress  when  I  left  the 
place,  had  obtained  deliverance  and  w^re  now  happy  in  the  Lord. 
The  next  day  we  assembled  again  in  the  same  place  :  some  mount- 
ed on  wings  of  love,  while  others  in  the  bitterness  of  their  souls 
cried  aloud  to  the  Lord  for  mercy.  In  the  evening  I  enjoyed  a 
good  meeting  at  Williamson,  and  the  next  day,  at  ten  o'clock,  A. 
M.,  a  powerful  and  awakening  time  was  experienced  in  Ontario :  a 
number,  deeply  impressed,  manifested  a  determination  to  turn  and 
live.  The  same  day,  I  preached  to  an  assembly  in  Manchester. 
On  the  day  following  we  met  again.  The  assembly  was  large,  and 
our  interview  was  crowned  with  the  special  presence  of  God,  which 
touched  many  hearts,  and  caused  a  great  weeping  throughout  the 
assembly. 

On  Saturday,  there  fell  a  tedious  storm  of  rain  and  snow,  and 
having  an  appointment  the  next  day  in  West  Bloomfield,  I  rode 
twenty-five  miles  and  took  a  cold,  much  to  the  injury  of  my  health. 
Sabbath,  Oct.  26,  I  preached  twice  in  the  same  town,  and  was 
much  opposed  by  a  Universalist.  On  the  day  following  I  returned 
to  Manchester,  and  spoke  from  Eccl.  8:11 ; — a  few  were  uwu,ken- 
ed.  Tuesday  and  Wednesday  I  preached  in  Williamson  and  Man- 
chester ;  in  the  latter  place  we  were  again  much  blessed.  The 
glory  of  God  filled  the  hearts  of  his  people — fifteen  came  forward 
for  prayer,  and  kneeling,  we  called  on  Him  who  "  hath  power  on 
earth  to  forgive  sins."  I  held  another  meeting  in  this  place,  one 
in  Livonia,  and  three  in  Groveland, — in  all  of  which  my  blessed 
Master  was  with  me  and  gave  me  freedom. 

Nov.  4,  1823.  This  day  completes  my  eighteenth  year.  And 
while  I  look  on  my  past  life,  and  review  the  aflflicting  scenes 
through  which  the  Lord  hath  led  me;  when  I  contemplate  the 
great  good  that  my  God  has  bestowed  on  me  in  childhood,  I  am 
constrained  to  wonder  and  admire.  I  think  my  soul  feels  the  im- 
])ortance  of  improving  the  talent  committed  to  the  charge  of  my 
youth.  The  language  of  my  heart  is,  O  Lord,  help  me  to  live  to 
thy  glory,  and  in  all  that  I  do,  have  an  eye  single  to  thy  pi*aise. 
Strengthen  me,  that  if  my  life  be  spared,  I  may  spend  this,  my 
nineteenth  year,  in  thy  service,  and  proclaim  salvation  to  a  world 
lying  in  wickedness — that  when  my  course  shall  be  concluded,  it 
may  be  finished  with  jcy. 

From  the  4[h  to  the  bOth  of  Nov.  I  labored  in  various  towns  ly- 
ing in  the  vicinity  of  Criuandaigua  lake,  and  saw  several  conver- 


V  -   I 


DAVID    MARKS. 


117 


sions. 


In  Canandaigua,  I  saw  my  Baptist  friend,  that  nearly  three 
years  before  took  me  from  the  village  to  his  house  when  my  soul 
was  in  affliction,  and  advised  me  to  return  home.  Now,  he  told 
me  he  had  changed  his  mind,  and  advising  me  to  continue  my  la- 
bors, bid  me  "  God  speed."  In  Middlebury  and  the  east  part  of 
Attica,  a  considerable  number  were  powerfully  awakened,  and  nev- 
er rested  till  they  gave  their  hearts  to  the  Savior.  In  these  places, 
tlie  children  of  God,  seeing  a  cloud  overshadow  the  church,  were 
filled  with  ecstacy.  O,  what  an  hour  of  joy  it  is,  when  the  Lord 
hears  the  groanings  of  his  children,  and  comes  down  to  deliver. 

Sunday,  Nov.  30,  I  preached  in  Attica  and  Alexander,  and  the 
next  day  proceeded  to  an  appointment  in  Batavia«  Here,  calling 
on  brother  Seymor,  I  met  with  an  affectionate  reception,  and  found 
that  my  sleigh,  which  had  been  left  there  through  the  summer,  was 
taken  away  the  evening  previous.  A  part  of  it  was  put  on  a  hay 
stack  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant,  and  the  other  part  was 
hung  on  a  broken  tree.  As  only  one  or  two  little  things  were  in- 
jured, I  would  have  thanked  these  nightly  adventurers,  could  I 
have  known  them,  for  restraining  their  spirit  to  tliis  little  injury. 
In  the  meantime  I  understood  that  many  slanderous  reports  were 
in  circulation,  and  some  were  using  much  effort  to  injure  me,  and 
had  reported  that  I  would  not  attend  my  appointment.  These 
things,  however,  moved  me  not,  for  I  had  to  reflect,  that  as  yet  not 
quite  "  all  manner  of  evil"  had  been  spoken  of  me.  A  goodly 
number  attended  my  appointment,  and  the  Lord  favored  us  with  an 
imj)ressive  season.  I  believe  he  gave  me  words  to  speak,  and  thus 
it  was  easy  preaching. 

Dec.  2,  1823,  I  preached  in  Bethany,  and  the  next  day  in  Mid- 
dlebury. At  this  meeting  several  weighty  testimonies  were  given 
by  converts,  who  had  lately  been  brought  into  the  fold  of  Christ. 
More  than  twenty  covenanted  to  seek  the  Lord  from  this  time,  and 
gave  me  their  hand  as  a  sign  of  their  covenant.  Friday  evening, 
I  attended  worship  in  the  west  part  of  the  town,  and  enjoyed  a  re- 
freshing time,  one  not  soon  to  be  forgotten.  Sunday,  Dec.  7,  I 
spent  on  the  town  line  of  Batavia.  In  the  forenoon  we  had  an  in- 
teresting season,  and  in  the  afternoon  it  seemed  as  if  the  Holy 
Ghost  descended  and  filled  the  house.  Many  wept,  and  many  re- 
joiced. Bless  the  Lord  for  this  visitation.  In  the  remaining  part 
of  this  week  I  held  meetings  in  Stafford,  Elba,  Clarkson,  Parma, 
and  Ogden,  and  felt  that  I  was  not  alone.  In  some  of  these  places 
the  state  of  engagedness  was  low. 

I  next  spent  six  days  in  Groveland  and  Geneseo,  and  held  sev- 
eral meetings.  The  Lord  was  in  our  midst,  and  filled  his  diildren 
with  his  Spirit.  I  felt  to  say  Avith  the  Psalmist,  "  One  tiling  have 
I  desired  of  the  Lord,  that  will  I  seek  after,— that  I  may  dwell  in 


* 


118 


MEMOIRS    OP 


1 

'■':; 

i 

1 

1 

m 

tlie  house  of  the  Lord  all  the  days  of  my  life."  At  this  time,  near- 
ly a  suit  of  new  clothes  was  given  me  by  several  females,  who 
had  been  converted  in  the  late  revival.  I  felt  to  thank  the  Lord, 
and  pray  that  they  may  provide  for  themselves  "  garments  that 
wax  not  old." 

Sunday,  Dec.  21,  I  preached  my  last  discourse  in  these  parts  for 
the  present,  and  to  me  it  was  a  solemn  time,  for  the  saints  in  these 
towns  were  particularly  dear  to  my  heart;  yet  the  joyful  hope  of 
reaching  a  land  where  there  will  be  no  more  parting  was  a  source 
of  great  consolation.  Monday,  I  left  at  the  dawn  of  day,  and  staid 
the  night  in  Farmington  with  a  deist.  We  had  much  disputation, 
and  I  could  but  groan  in  sj)irit  Avhile  hearing  his  light  and  trifling 
remarks  on  that  religion  which  alone  can  prepare  us  for  the  joys 
of  heaven.  O  that  God  may  have  mercy  on  his  soul.  Tuesday,  I 
preached  a  farewell  sermon  in  Manchester,  and  enjoyed  a  good 
time.  A  collection  was  taken  and  given  me  at  this  meeting,  to  as- 
sist in  bearing  my  expenses  to  New  England.  Wednesday,  though 
very  blustering  and  tedious,  I  rode  forty  miles  to  Benton,  where  I 
enjoyed  a  sweet  refreshing  in  the  worship  of  God.  Friday,  I  re- 
turned to  Junius,  and  found  a  step-mother  in  tlie  empty  place  of 
the  departed. 


CHAPTER  XIL 

31^  Second  Visit  to  New  England. 

In  Junius  I  staid  two  days,  and  attended  the  monthly  meeting  of 
the  church  to  which  I  was  attached.  I  also  met  two  assemblies,  to 
whom  the  Lord  helped  me  to  speak  the  word  of  life. 

Dec.  28.  The  time  had  now  come  that  called  me  to  attend  a 
line  of  appointments  leading  to  New  Hampshire,  which  had  been 
given  out  more  than  two  years.  Soon  I  expected  to  be  in  a  land 
of  strangers,  where  often  the  secret  places  would  be  preferred  to 
the  cold-hearted  society  of  those  who  neither  know  nor  feel  a 
stranger's  sorrow.  My  lieart  wiis  full,  and  though  I  seldom  at- 
tempted to  sing,  I  gave  vent  to  my  feelings  by  trying  to  sing  the 
following  lines  of  Colby. 

"O,  If  poor  sinners  did  but  know 
What  I  for  them  do  undergo. 
They  would  not  trfai  nie  witli  conicmpt, 
Nor  slight  uie  wlieii  1  suy  rejient,"   A:c. 


fl 


DAVID    MARKS. 


119 


I  retired  alone,  and  entreated  the  Lord  to  reconcile  me  to  my 
lot,  and  bless  ray  labors  in  this  journey.  I  then  returned  to  bid 
my  father  farewell.  As  he  took  me  by  the  hand,  he  said,  "  My 
son,  it  is  harder  parting  than  it  ever  was  before."  I  met  an  ap- 
pointment in  the  evening  in  Galen,  and,  Oct.  .31,  arrived  at  15rook- 
tield  in  Madison  county.  In  this  town  I  spent  several  days,  preach- 
ed eleven  times,  and  saw  several  awakened  to  feel  their  need  of  an 
interest  in  Christ.  After  this  I  gave  six  discourses  in  Piainfield, 
one  in  Burlington,  and  one  at  the  Free  Communion  Baptist  meeting 
house  in  Winficld.  Some  of  these  were  attended  with  mucl\  so- 
lemnity, particularly  the  last.  Jan.  16,  1824,  I  left  those  parts, 
went  to  Western,  and  met  with  brother  Jacob  W.  Darling,  a  young 
preacher  from  Rhode  Island.  I  attended  meetings  with  him  on  the 
17th  and  18th  of  the  month.  These  interviews  were  graced  by 
the  presence  of  the  great  Head  of  the  church — joy  beamed  on  the 
countenance  of  Zion,  and  her  children  made  mention  of  the  name 
of  the  Lord.  On  Monday,  backsliders  confessed  their  wanderings, 
and  returned  weeping.  In  the  evening  I  attended  a  meeting  at 
the  east  part  of  the  town. 

On  Tuesday  I  preached  in  Floyd,  and  enjoyed  a  sweet  visita- 
tion of  tliC  Holy  Spirit.  Some  were  '  pricked  in  their  heart'  and 
wept  bitterly ;  at  the  close  of  the  meeting  a  young  man  came 
trembling,  and  giving  me  his  hand,  entreated  me  to  pray  the  Lord 
to  have  mercy  on  him.  After  going  to  Western  and  preaching 
twice,  I  went  to  Rome  and  spoke  to  an  attentive  audience  in  the 
court-house;  favorable  impressions  seemed  to  be  made  on  the 
minds  of  some.  Jan.  28,  I  had  an  appointment  at  a  school  house 
in  Floyd,  but  some  opposers  appointed  a  spelling  school  at  the 
same  place,  and  said  they  would  prevent  our  meeting  in  the  house, 
if  they  had  to  keep  us  out  with  clubs,  so  we  repaired  to  the  Bap- 
tist meeting  house.  This  proved  rather  an  advantage  to  us,  for 
not  half  the  assembly  could  have  entered  the  school  house.  I  spoke 
from  Heb.  12:25:  "  See  that  ye  refuse  not  Jam  that  speaketh,"  &c. 
The  Holy  Spirit  rested  on  '.ne  people,  and  many  trembled  at  the 
word  of  the  Lord.  Wednesday,  I  preached  on  Quaker  Hill,  from 
Prov.  1G:18,  '^  Pride  goeth  before  destruction,  and  a  haughty  spir- 
it before  a  fall ^  I  spoke  very  pointedly  on  the  destruction  of  the 
wicked ;  yet  a  professed  Universalist  arose  weeping,  and  said 
they  had  heard  the  truth,  and  entreated  the  assembly  to  receive  it. 

Pursuing  my  journey  eastward,  I  preached  several  times  in  the 
towns  through  which  I  passed,  and  saw  some  of  the  obdurate  and 
high  minded  weep  for  their  sins,  and,  I  trust,  persuaded  to  forsake 
them. 

On  Wednesday,  Feb.  9,  I  visit  id  a  school  in  Canajoharie  for  the 
deaf  and  dumb,  and  enjoyed  much  satisfaction  in  convei-sing  with 


i;'-'.»i 


*> 


■f 


n  y 


120 


MEMOIRS    OP 


i 


the  scholars  by  writuig.  Tlicy  manifested  much  seriousness  and 
reverence  on  seeing  the  name  of  God,  and  seemed  to  have  solemn 
ideas  of  tlK'ir  accountability.  In  tlie  evening,  I  attended  a  meet- 
ing in  this  town,  and  the  next  day  one  in  Root.  Saturday,  I  met 
an  assembly  in  Charlostown,  and  on  the  Sabbath  preached  again 
in  Root.  The  Lord  blessed  me  with  freedom.  An  unconverted 
man,  with  whom  I  staid  the  night  previous,  promised  in  tears  to 
seek  and  serve  the  Lord.  One  of  his  family  was  serious  also,  and 
desired  prayer.  Sabbath  evening,  I  spoke  to  a  solemn  auditory  in 
the  north  part  of  Charlestown,  and  the  next  day  with  much  free- 
dom in  Charlestown  meeting  house.  On  Tuesday  I  went  to  Flor- 
ida, and  preached  to  a  weeping  assembly ;  and  the  day  following 
addressed  a  large  congregation  that  seemed  hardened  in  sin.  A 
cloud  hung  over  us,  and  but  little  light  found  way  to  the  people. 
Alas  !  how  '  slow  of  heart'  are  men  to  believe,  and  how  many  wait 
for  conviction,  till  they  are  convicted  by  the  miseries  of  a  hapless 
world  !     The  next  day  I  preached  again  in  Florida. 

Friday,  Feb.  20,  I  commenced  attending  my  appointments  of 
long  standing,  and  preached  to  about  one  hundred  in  a  ball-room 
at  a  place  called  Yankee  street.  This  was  a  very  good  time.  In 
the  afternoon  I  proceeded  on  my  journey  in  a  sleigh.  A  thaw  com- 
menced, and  for  ten  miles  before  I  reached  Schenectady  the  ground 
was  mostly  bare.  I  now  had  to  walk  ;  and  as  there  appeared  no 
prospect  of  snow,  the  way  was  very  gloomy.  On  arriving  at  Schen- 
ectady, I  found  my  appointment  had  been  forgotten.  I  dined  with 
brother  Smith,  a  Methodist  preacher,  and  proceeded  on  my  way, 
querying  in  regard  to  duty.  I  was  among  strangers,  neither  able 
to  purchase  a  saddle,  to  hire  my  horse  kept,  nor  to  reach  my  ap- 
pointments on  foot.  But  loth  to  fail  of  them,  I  reached  Troy,  after 
much  fatigue,  in  the  evening,  and  found  the  people  through  mistake 
had  assembled  in  the  afternoon.  Sabbath  morning,  Feb.  22,  I  pro- 
ceeded through  a  cold  snow  storm  to  Brunswick,  preached  to  an 
assembly  at  nine  o'clock,  and  felt  much  comforted.  I  succeeded  in 
borrowing  an  old  saddle  at  this  place,  and  proceeded  to  Pittstown. 
At  two  o'clock,  P.  M.  I  spoke  to  an  assembly  in  the  Baptist  meet- 
ing house,  and  some  appeared  to  be  much  affected.  In  the  even- 
ing I  held  a  meeting  in  Hoosac,  and  the  next  morning  met  another 
assembly  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  Baptist  meeting  house,  which  was 
quite  crowded.  The  Master  of  assemblies  stood  by  me,  blessed  be 
his  name.  The  hearts  of  the  people  were  opened,  and  they  gave 
me  about  three  dollars. 

Passing  through  Bennington,  I  hasted  over  the  Green  IMount- 
ains,  in  order,  if  possible,  to  reach  my  appointment  in  Wilmington 
at  nine  o'clock  the  next  morning.  The  snow  was  about  eighteen 
inches  deep  on  the  mountain,  and  the  road  little  broken.     Night 


after 


iighteen 
Night 


li 


DAVID   MARKS. 


121 


came  on — and  soon  I  entered  a  wood  where  it  was  five  miles  to  the 
next  house.  The  evening  was  cold,  and  my  clothes  thin  for  trav- 
elling on  horseba(;k.  My  feelings  on  this  occasion  may  be  more 
easily  conceived  by  those  who  have  been  in  similar  circumstances, 
than  by  such  as  usually  sit  by  their  firesides  during  the  bleak  winds 
of  winter,  and  enjoy  the  society  of  their  friends. 

An  opening  at  length  appeared ;  I  returned  thanks  to  the  Lord, 
and  soon  procured  lodgings  ut  a  tavern.  The  next  morning  I  trav- 
elled ten  miles,  and  reached  my  appointment  in  season.  A  consid- 
erable number  met  in  the  Congregationalist  meeting  house,  among 
whom  was  a  woman  ninety-two  years  of  age,  who  had  walked  near- 
ly two  miles  this  cold  morning  to  attend  the  meeting.  She  appear- 
ed to  have  a  blessed  time,  and  rejoiced  that  she  had  come.  1 
spoke  to  a  few  in  Marlborough  the  same  day,  and  the  day  after 
met  about  two  hundred  in  Dummerston.  Here  was  one  of  the 
churches  that  had  separated  from  the  Calvinistic  Baptists,  and  es- 
tiiblished  themselves  on  free  principles.  Some,  solicitous  of  hear- 
ing a  Free-will  Baptist,  had  come  more  than  thirty  miles  to  this 
meeting.  I  endeavored  to  give  a  summary  of  the  principles  of 
Bible  doctrine,  arl  enjoyed  much  freedom.  Considerable  serious- 
ness was  manifested  in  the  assembly.  The  bridge  at  Brattleboro' 
having  been  swept  away,  I  crossed  West  river,  and  proceeded  to 
the  Connecticut  river,  expecting  to  cross  at  a  ferry  ;  but  the  boat 
being  bound  in  ice,  I  passed  up  the  river  a  few  miles  to  another 
ferry,  and  crossed  at  8  o'clock  in  the  evening,  with  some  difficulty 
and  danger,  as  the  river  was  full  of  ice  floating  down  with  the  cur- 
rent. The  next  morning,  I  proceeded  early  through  a  storm  of 
snow,  seven  miles  to  Chesterfield,  and  at  nine  o'clock  spoke  to  an 
assembly  of  about  two  hundred  people.  Many  seemed  deeply  af- 
fected. At  twelve  o'clock  I  started  for  Stoddard,  twenty-three 
miles  distant,  where  I  had  an  appointment  for  the  evening.  A  lit- 
tle before  sunset,  when  still  six  miles  from  the  place,  I  found  the 
road  filled  with  drifted  snow,  and  r>ould  proceed  but  slowly.  I  had 
to  face  a  piercing  wind,  with  rain  and  hail — and  it  was  soon  so 
dark  that  I  could  not  discern  the  road.  At  length  I  found  that 
my  beast  was  wandering  in  a  field,  and  I  knew  not  where  to  go. 
My  clothes  were  frozen  around  me — the  wind  had  increased  to  a 
gale — and  soon  my  way  was  again  hedged  by  drifts.  I  thought  of 
my  affectionate  friends  sitting  by  their  pleasant  firesides,  and  quer- 
ied whether  I  should  perish  by  the  cold,  or  again  enjoy  their  soci- 
ety. But  the  reflection,  that  not  even  a  hair  of  my  head  should 
fall  without  my  Heavenly  Father's  notice,  comforted  my  spirit. 
Presently  I  saw  the  glimmering  of  a  distant  light, — guided  by  it,  I 
found  the  road,  and  at  eight  o'clock  arrived  at  Stoddard.  Finding 
the  assembly  had  dispersed,  I  put  up  at  an  inn,  and  was  very  hap- 
11 


mi 


!r'^>j*'l; 


122 


MEMOIRS    OF 


py  in  the  reflection  that  my  blessed  Master  had  prepared  for  me  a 
home,  where  through  grace,  I  hoped  soon  to  rest  for  ever  from  the 
arduous  toils  of  a  travelling  life. 

Friday,  on  my  way  to  IJnidford,  I  found  the  road  again  obstruct- 
ed by  drifts.  1  took  down  the  fence,  and  went  in  the  field  till  I 
came  to  a  stone  wall,  then  passed  into  the  road  and  led  my  horse. 
After  passing  such  difficulties  in  a  number  of  places,  I  reached  an 
appointment  at  two  o'clock,  and  in  the  evening  met  another  assem- 
bly in  the  north  part  of  the  town.  During  the  six  days  following, 
I  met  eight  appointments  in  different  towns  between  Bradford  and 
Enfield.  From  these  labors  I  expect  to  meet  some  fruits  in  eter- 
nity. 

Friday,  March  5,  having  been  inclined  to  go  to  the  south,  I 
hoped  that  somewhere  in  that  direction,  the  Lord  would  grant  un- 
to me  to  see  his  salvation.  Accordingly  I  went  about  thirty-five 
miles,  and  held  a  meeting  in  Bradford.  This  was  a  solemn, 
awakening  time,  .and  it  was  impressed  on  my  mind,  that  the  Lord 
had  a  work  for  me  to  do  in  this  place.  A  woman  that  was  an  op- 
poaer  of  religion,  and  had  not  attended  a  meeting  for  several  years, 
was  excited  by  curiosity  to  come  and  hear  the  youth.  It  pleased 
Grod  to  send  conviction  to  her  heart ;  she  became  much  distressed, 
asked  forgiveness  of  those  whom  she  had  persecuted  for  righteous- 
ness' sake,  and  sought  the  Lord  night  and  day,  till  she  professed  to 
find  comfort.  I  held  meetings  in  Bradford  generally  every  day, 
and  sometimes  two  or  three  times  a  day.  The  "  true  light"  shone 
upon  the  people,  and  in  almost  every  meeting  some  were  awaken- 
ed. Soon  the  songs  of  redeemed  souls  gladdened  the  church  mili- 
tant, and  doubtless  made  the  angels  rejoice.  As  is  usual  in  revi- 
vals, our  meetings  were  crowded,  and  the  hearts  of  many  were 
seriously  impressed  by  the  word  of  the  Lord.  Sometimes  the  spir- 
itual testimonies  of  the  converts  added  much  to  the  interest  of  the 
meetings.  Some  backsliders  were  reclaimed,  and  took  away  the 
stumbling  blocks  the^'  In  d  laid — many  lukewarm  professors  were 
awakened — and  almost  every  day  some  requested  the  prayers  of 
saints,  and  kneeled,  seeking  the  mercy  of  God. 

On  one  occasion  I  had  quite  a  severe  trial.  Meeting  a  consid- 
erable assembly  in  the  south-east  part  of  the  town  one  afternoon,  I 
opened  the  meeting  by  prayer,  and  named  a  text  as  usual.  After 
speaking  about  five  minutes,  a  dark  cloud  veiled  my  mind.  With 
much  difiicultv  I  uttered  a  few  words — then  all  was  closed  up,  and 
finding  nothir  j  to  say  I  took  my  seat.  After  weeping  a  few  min- 
utes, I  told  the  people  God  had  given  me  no  message  to  them,  and 
therefore  I  could  not  preach.  In  half  an  hour  they  dispersed,  and 
I  started  for  Fishersfield.  But  the  trial  I  now  endured  no  tongue 
can  tell,  no  pen  describe.     Egyptian  darkness  covered  my  mind. 


«> 
- 


L 


consid- 

oon,  I 

After 

With 


DAVID    MARKS. 


123 


and  I  was  loth  any  one  that  atton(h'd  the  meeting  phoiild  see  my 
i'acc.  It  seemed  as  if  the  Lord  had  forsaken  me,  and  all  comfoi't 
had  fled  from  my  bosom.  My  life  appeared  as  a  vapor — like  a 
solitary  shadow,  a  worthless  thing, — and  onee  I  dismonnted,  and 
turned  su^idc  to  pray  the  Lord  to  take  me  out  of  the  world.  But 
a  monitor  within  whispering,  "  This  will  be  sin,"  I  again  mounted 
my  horse,  and  as  I  passed  along,  strewed  my  tears  by  the  way  for 
nine  miles.  I  arrived  at  the  house  of  Deacon  Morse,  where  an 
appointment  had  been  given  out  for  me  on  that  evening,  yet  my 
spirit  had  found  no  rest,  and  I  desired  a  place  in  the  wilderness  to 
bemoan  my  sorrow.  Soon  I  found  myself  about  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  distant,  lying  upon  the  snow  in  a  wood,  and  pouring  out  my 
anguish  in  sighs,  groans  and  tears.  I  thought  it  had  been  good  for 
me  if  I  "  had  never  been  born."  The  devil  tempted  me  with 
deism  and  atheism  ;  my  mind  was  thrown  into  much  confusion,  and 
I  often  cried,  "  Lord,  have  mercy  on  me  ;"  yet  I  found  no  relief. 
Night  came  on.  I  returned  to  my  appointment,  as  the  people 
were  collecting.  I  thought  they  would  be  disappointed  ;  for  I  had 
concluded  not  to  preach  without  a  change  of  feeling,  and  this  I  did 
not  expect.  But  just  as  the  people  were  seated  ready  to  hear,  it 
seemed  as  though  the  dear  Redeemer  came  and  touched  me ;  in  an 
instant  all  my  doubts  fled  away.  He  unveiled  the  beauties  of  his 
face,  and  the  very  room  and  assembly  appeared  to  shine  with  the 
glory  of  God.  I  arose  and  spoke  with  much  freedom,  and  bless- 
ings were  poured  upon  the  assembly.  Thus  the  Lord  brought  me 
through  a  liery  trial ;  and  although  while  enduring  it,  I  could  see 
no  good  that  could  arise  from  it,  my  heart  now  felt  to  bless  God 
even  for  this  visitation, — for  it  had  increased  my  faith,  and  taught 
me  more  effectually  my  entire  dependence  on  God.  On  my  re- 
turn to  Bradford,  I  was  told  that  a  professor  of  religion  had  said  of 
me :  "  The  Lord  has  not  sent  Mm  to  preach,  for  if  he  had,  his  mouth 
woidd  not  have  been  closed"  One  that  was  not  a  professor,  re- 
plied, "  If  he  has  come  without  being  sent  by  God,  I  should  suppose 
that  he  coidd  preach  as  well  at  one  time  as  at  another."  I  under- 
stood that  an  aged  sinner  who  attended  the  meeting,  went  home 
much  affected,  saying,  "  We  are  so  wicked  that  God  will  give  his 
servant  no  message  to  us." 

Soon  after  this,  a  deist  came  to  my  appointment,  and  while  the 
people  were  gathering,  he  thought  to  embarrass  me  by  his  argu- 
ments. In  a  little  time  he  affected  to  be  disgusted  by  my  talk,  and 
left  the  assembly.  I  understood  that  he  returned  home  and  took 
his  bed,  saying  he  was  sick,  but  would  not  have  a  physician,  or  re- 
ceive any  food  for  nearly  three  days,  when  he  exclaimed,  "  My 
sickness  is  not  of  the  body,  but  of  the  soul !  O,  what  have  I  been 
about  these  forty  years  !"     Then  he  sent  to  a  Christian  friend  to 


44 


124 


MEMOIRS    OF 


!*. 


come  and  pray  for  him.  This  was  tlio  first  time  he  had  ever  per- 
mitted prayer  in  his  house.  In  a  short  time  he  professed  to  be 
converted,  and  ex[)ressed  great  astonishment  that  he  could  have 
neglected  the  Savior  and  his  own  soul  so  long  as  he  had.  As  he 
had  been  a  great  opposes  of  Christianity,  this  change  in  him  touch- 
ed the  hearts  of  several.  The  work  now  revived  afresh,  and  as- 
sumed an  aspect  still  more  promising.  In  a  short  time  others  pro- 
fessed to  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth. 

During  my  stay  in  Bradford,  which  was  six  or  seven  weeks, 
twelve  or  fifteen  named  Christ.  Several  of  them  were  baptized 
by  Elder  Rowe,  who  resided  in  the  place,  and  were  added  to  the 
Free-will  Baptist  church.  Many  others  were  awakened,  but  did 
not  at  this  time  give  their  hearts  to  God.  I  also  visited  and  preach- 
ed in  Hillsborough,  Ilennikcr,  ITopkinton,  Warner,  Salisbury,  Sut- 
ton, Fishersfield,  Wilmot,  Springfield,  Enfield,  Newport,  and  some 
other  towns.  In  a  few  of  these  places  I  held  five  or  six  meetings 
each,  and  they  were  blessed  to  the  awakening  of  some. 

Leaving  Bradford,  I  went  to  West  Windsor,  Vt.,  and  enjoyed 
one  or  two  good  meetings.  The  brethren  here  gave  me  about  sev- 
en dollars,  principally  in  clothing,  which  I  greatly  needed.  In  the 
last  of  April  I  visited  Weare,  held  three  meetings,  and  enjoyed  a 
profitable  interview  with  Elder  Hezekiah  Buzzell ; — he  baptized 
two  during  my  stay. 

Saturday  and  Sabbath,  May  8  and  9, 1824, 1  attended  the  Rhode 
Island  quarterly  meeting,  at  Taunton,  Mass.  The  assembly  was 
large,  and  the  preaching  interesting.  I  had  the  privilege  of  deliv- 
ering two  discourses  at  this  meeting,  and  in  one  the  Lord  gave  me 
freedom.  After  the  quarterly  meeting,  I  preached  in  Rehoboth, 
Attleborough,  and  in  some  other  towns  in  Massachusetts.  Some 
were  seriously  affected,  and  in  one  meeting  the  cries  of  anxious  sin- 
ners were  heard.  I  next  went  to  Rhode  Island,  and  attended  a 
meeting  with  Elder  Greene  in  North  Providence,  where  a  revival 
had  just  commenced.  The  Lord  was  in  the  midst,  and  a  great 
weeping  was  in  the  assembly.  Several  cried  with  earnestness, 
"  Lord,  have  mercy  !  Lord,  have  mercy !"  At  the  close,  ten  kneel- 
ed for  prayer. 

I  staid  sixteen  days  in  Rhode  Island,  and  each  day  held  meet- 
ings in  different  towns,  among  which  were  Cranston,  Johnston, 
Smithfield,  Burrillville,  and  Gloucester.  Having  read  Colby's 
journal  of  his  labors  in  some  of  these  towns,  when  the  Lord  visited 
his  people,  and  made  Zion  like  a  fruitful  field,  I  expected  to  find 
the  brethren  engaged  in  holy  humility  and  fervent  devotion.  But 
not  considering  the  changes  that  are  made  by  time,  I  felt  some  dis- 
appointed. 


DAVID    MARKS. 


125 


In  the  latter  purt  of  May,  I  visited  my  relatives  in  Burlington, 
Conn.  My  grandfather  and  uncle  welcomed  me  afl'ectionately.  A 
revival  in  this  place  had  lately  gladdened  Zion,  in  which  about  one 
hundred  had  professed  to  experience  regenerating  grace.  Some 
of  my  relatives  were  among  the  converts.  I  held  one  meeting 
with  them,  and  it  was  a  weeping  time.  In  Middletown,  I  enjoyed 
a  pleasant  interview  with  my  uncle,  Elder  Josiah  Graves,  and  his 
family.  Two  of  his  children  were  engaged  in  the  service  of  God. 
His  eldest  son  had  lately  commenced  preaching  with  considerable 
success.  I  attended  two  meetings,  felt  much  freedom  in  speaking, 
and  several  were  solemidy  affected. 

On  Monday,  taking  leave  of  my  kind  relatives,  I  went  to  Hart- 
ford, and  the  next  day,  June  1,  1824,  to  Tolland,  where  an  Indian 
mulatto  was  to  be  executed  for  taking  the  lii'e  of  his  wife.  This 
deed  was  done  when  he  was  intoxicated.  As  I  drew  near  the  place 
of  execution,  and  saw  thousands  running  to  the  field  of  death,  great 
solemnity  filled  my  mind.  And  on  rising  a  hill,  the  fatal  gallows, 
surrounded  by  a  vast  multitude  of  people,  met  my  sight,  and  re- 
minded me  of  the  judgment  of  the  great  day,  when  the  nations 
shall  assemble  before  Jehovah  to  receive  their  sentence  according 
to  the  deeds  done  in  the  body.  Alas !  then  will  the  ungodly  have 
their  sentence,  to  be  cast  into  the  burning  lake,  executed  on  them, 
and  none  will  deliver  them.  I  stood  near  the  scaffold,  and  at  a 
little  distance  beheld  the  gloomy  prison  which  confined  the  unhap- 
py criminal.  Soon  he  was  taken  from  his  dreaiy  cell  and  seated 
in  a  wagon  on  his  coffin.  Enclosed  by  the  officers  and  guard,  and 
surrounded  by  the  multitude,  the  criminal  advanced  slowly — the 
sound  of  the  '  death  march '  now  fell  on  the  ear  with  more  awful 
solemnity  than  any  music  I  ever  heai'd.  They  came  to  the  fatal 
spot — the  convict  alighted — walked  to  the  stairs,  and  ascended  the 
scaffold  apparently  with  indifference.  I  was  told  that  he  had  no 
hope  in  God !  yet  he  appeared  to  be  senseless  of  the  awful  change 
of  this  hour,  and  exhibited  a  striking  instance  of  the  obduracy  of 
the  human  heart,  when  inured  to  crime,  and  its  feelings  destroyed 
by  stronff  drink.  He  looked  scrutinizingly  at  the  gallows,  scaffold, 
and  all  the  preparations  for  his  exit;  and  appeared  anxious  that 
the  rope  should  be  placed  easily  on  his  neck.  This  being  done,  he 
stood  erect — the  plank  fell — and  he  was  silent  in  death.  I  looked 
upon  the  people,  many  were  in  tears,  and  some  had  fainted.  Then, 
thought  I,  this  man  suffers  justly  for  his  crime,  receiving  his  due 
reward:  yet  how  many  tender  sympathies  are  awakened  for  him,, 
and  how  many  tender  females  are  weeping  at  his  fate.  But  when 
the  Savior  of  the  world  suffered  !  what  a  difference  !  He  walked 
to  the  place  of  execution,  "  hearing  his  cross"  while  on  him  was 
"  laid  the  iniquity  of  us  all !"  His  disciples  had  forsaken  liim  and 
11* 


t  "'ST* 

•'     / 

•i    <,    '' 

>},  5  -  « 


126 


MEMOlHd    OF 


I  \ 


flinl !  hft  was  flurroiindod  by  the  poisccutiii}^  J((W9,  and  the  unfccd- 
iu^  Roniiins.  Ho  .sutrrrcd  not  ii  momentary  pain  by  a  rope,  but 
hung  thro(3  dreadful  hours  nailed  upon  the  cross,  notwithstandinjj 
he  had  already  ^'' sweat  as  it  were  great  drops  of  blood"  in  (Jethsem- 
ane.  But  who  was  there  to  sympathise  and  weep  when  Jesus  suf- 
fered ?  True,  the  beloved  disciple,  with  three  or  four  holy  women, 
whose  aff(!(!tion  had  summoned  more  courage  than  the  apostles  had, 
stood  by  the  cross  of  their  dying  Lord,  and  were  melt<>d  by  the 
sight.  IJut  though  so  small  a  number  in  this  world  felt  and  wept 
when  Christ  was  crucified — yet,  one  that  never  wept  before,  now 
veiled  his  face — the  sun  could  not  endure  the  sight — "  and  there 
was  darkness  over  all  the  earth."  The  rocks  too,  felt,  and  rent 
asunder — and  the  slumber  of  the  dead  was  broken. 

I  retired  from  the  scene  with  a  heart  full  of  feeling,  and  return- 
ed to  Rhode  Island,  jireaching  by  the  way. 

On  Thursday,  I  journeyed  forty  miles  to  Littleton,  Mass.  where 
I  had  an  appointment.     This  was  made  in  the  street,  as  it  was  dif- 
ficult in  these  parts,  to  find  an  open  door  for  a  dissenter  from  what 
is  esteemed  orthodoxy.     Having  mistook  as  to  the  distance,  I  ar- 
rived at  the  place  one  day  before  the  appointment,  and  calling  at  a 
tavern  I  desired  that  my  horse  might  be  taken  care  of.     The  land- 
lord, knowing  that  I  had  given  the  appointment,  said,  "  No."     1 
asked  the  reason,  as  he  ke[>t  a  public  house.     He  said  he  would 
not  encourage  me  by  entertaining  me.     I  asked  him  if  my  mone}- 
was  not  as  valuable  as  that  of  another.     He  then  changed  his  tone, 
saying,  "O  yes,  if  you  will  pay  me,  I  will  willingly  entertain  you." 
The  time  passed  away  veiy  slowly,  and  was  principally  spent  in  :i 
field,  fasting.     The  next  morning  a  neighbor  that  came  ir   nsked 
if  I  was  the  one  that  appointed  the  meeting,  and  whether  i  had 
credentials.     I  handed  them  to  him  ;  he  read  them,  and  said,  "Alt, 
then  you  belong  to  the  Free-will  Baptists  ?     Well,  v/hat  do  the 
Free-will  Baptists  believe  ?"     I  named  free  agency  as  one  of  thei  r 
sentiments.    He  began  to  argue  against  it,  and  rondenmed  it  as  not 
orthodox.     I  said,  they  believe  that  "  Christ  tasted  death  for  every 
man."     He  treated  this  sentiment  in  the  same  manner  that  he  diil 
the  other.     And  thus  he  disputed  every  principle  thai  did  not  ac- 
cord with  his  own  views,  insomuch  that  I  could  not  find  opportuni- 
ty to  answer  his  question.     After  disputing  the  doctrine  that  I  had 
advanced  for  some  hours,  he  invited  me  to  his  house,  and  there  I 
could  have  very  little  conversation  except  controversy.     At  length 
he  gave  an  invitation  for  the  meeting  to  be  held  at  his  house.     I 
enjoyed  much  freedom,  and  many  were  melted  into  tears;  amonu 
them  was  the  man  who  opened  his  house  for  the  assembly.     After 
meeting,  I  paid  my  bill  at  the  tavern,  ar^d  left  the  town  happy  in 
God.    I  met  a  crowded  assembly  at  Mount  Vernon,  and  many 


DAVID    MAKKS. 


127 


."liowcd  sijjiis  of  »;ontritlon.  Ai'U'i*  nicr'tiiipc  closed,  I  was  njni- 
inaiidt'd  lor  pn'ju'hiiii;  free  sulvntioii,  /'/vv  a;;<'iu'y,  &(•• ;  Imt  lu*  llii-* 
doctriiu'  hnil  just  Imtm  powerful  in  tourhin;;  llie  licjirts  of  siiunTs,  I 
was  tlif  more  coiiliniUHl  that  it  was  the  doetriiie  of  (  liri.«t. 

Saturday,  . I m»e  12,  1824, 1  attended  the  New  Hampshire  year- 
ly meetinf?  at  W<'ar«'.  Tlu;  day  was  prineipally  oecupied  in  hear- 
iii<f  reports  of  revivals  in  dift'erent  parts  of  the  yearly  meetin;;,  and 
the  testimonies  and  exhortations  of  the  saints.  Accounts  wen*  also 
iriven  of  some  glorious  nnivals  in  the  state  of  Maine.  Sahbath 
I'orenoon,  IClder  John  IJuzzell  spoke  about  two  hours.  Thoujih 
a;ied,  his  eye  seemcid  not  dim,  nor  the  patience  of  the  people  wea- 
ried. In  the  afternoon,  the  {raJleries  \nnw^  much  crow<le<l,  l>egan  to 
pive  way ;  many  were  frij^htened,  and  some  confusion  ensued. 
Several  lell  them,  and  soon  the  assembly  was  composed.  Klder 
Enoch  Place  then  prea.  heda  long  and  affect inj^  sermon — many 
hearts  were  touched,  and  the  meeting  closed  with  sijrns  of  good. 
On  JMonday,  I  att<'nded  the  Ministers'  conference,  which  was  inter- 
e.-'ting  and  eonilucted  with  mnch  liarmony. 

Tuesday  and  Wednestlay  I  went  seventy  miles  to  Sandwich,  in 
the  easterly  part  of  New  Ilampshire.  At  this  time  there  was  some 
revival  in  the  place,  principally  under  the  labors  of  brother  David 
Moody,  a  youth  of  nineteen  years.  I  spent  nine  days  laboring 
\\\{\\  them,  aiid  preached  thirteen  sermons.  It  pleased  the  Lord  to 
give  us  heavenly  seasons.  We  saw  sevenil  new  instances  of  con- 
viction— heard  the  cries  of  the  ])enitent,  and  sometinu'S  the  songs 
of  the  delivered.  At  one  meeting,  within  the  space  of  twenty 
mi»v;i?es,  four  were  brought  into  liberty,  and  praised  God  for  salva- 
t' an.  '  Glory  to  the  Lord  for  ,'dl  his  mercies.'  Some  articles  of 
clothing  were  given  nie,  and  were  thankfully  received.  "When  1  left 
the  place,  about  twenty  had  been  hopefully  converted,  and  it  was 
thought  the  good  Avork  had  but  just  begim. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  month,  I  visited  several  towns  in  the 
state  of  Maine,  atul  enjoyed  some  blessed  seasons  in  preaching 
Christ.  I  held  a  meeting  in  Par^onsfield,  and  was  affectionately 
received  by  Elder  John  IJuzzell,  a  faithfid  minister  of  the  gospel. 
lie  was  contemporary  with  Randall,  and  had  spent  th<>  greater 
part  of  his  life  it\  preaching  Christ.  I  attended  three  or  four  meet- 
ings in  Porter,  and  saw  some  powerfully  convicted ;  and  a  few  who 
had  forsaken  the  right  way,  confessed  their  wanderings,  saying, 
they  were  resolved  to  turn  again  and  live.  I  received  infomiation 
afterwanl  that  a  revival  followed  these  good  signs. 

Returning  to  New  Ilampshire,  I  met  an  assembly  in  Effmgham, 
and  the  Lord  enabled  me  to  speak  in  the  power  of  the  gospel.  In 
the  meantime  a  dark  cloud  overspread  the  sky,  and  vivid  lightnings 
with  heavy  thunder,  increased  the  solemnity  of  the  meeting.     I 


128 


MEMOIUS    OF 


Huid  to  tlio  sinner,  "  You  luivf  no  security  while  livin;^  in  nin,  and 
tor  jinj^ht  yt)U  know  the  next  tliiniderholt  nuvy  hurl  yon  into  the 
et('nuil  world."  1  hud  scureely  spoken  th«'se  words  whtMi  u  sud- 
di'U  |)(!til  of  thunder  shook  the  house,  and  almost  stiumed  the  as- 
sembly. A  bluzinj^  tree,  hut  a  tew  rods  hefon;  the  door,  discover- 
ed to  us  that  the  shafts  of  death  ha<l  |»ass;'d  just  hy  us.  This  seem- 
ed to  alarm  many,  and  they  w<'pt  tor  their  sins.  Some  desired 
prayer,  kneeled  with  us,  and  covenanted  to  seek  the  Lv>rd.  A  re- 
vival followed  the  meeting,  and  thirty  or  forty  professed  to  be  con- 
verter I. 

In  the  early  part  of  July,  1824,  I  returned  to  Weare,  and  found 
that  brother  Abel  Thornton,  who  luid  agreed  to  accompany  me  to 
New  York,  was  laboring  successfully  among  the  peo[)le.  As  he 
had  appointments  given  out  for  a  few  days,  1  staid  and  attended 
several  very  interesting  meetings  with  him. 

Sunday,  Jidy  11.  We  had  appointments  to  prea('h  our  fare- 
well discoui'ses,  and  expected  to  leave  for  New  York  the  day  fol- 
lowing. But  at  six  o'clock,  A.  M.  a  messenger  arrived  from  Brad- 
ford, a  distance  of  seventeen  miles,  bringing  tidings  of  the  death 
of  brother  Joseph  Cheney.  He  said,  that  a  little  before  his  death 
he  requested  that  I  should  preach  his  funeral  sermon.  This  news 
awakened  all  my  tender  feelings,  and  excited  a  lively  recollection 
of  happy  hours  that  I  had  enjoyed  with  him  during  the  revival  at 
Bradford.  He  was  then  confined  by  a  diseased  leg,  and  was  some 
of  the  time  in  a  gloomy  state  of  mind.  He  endured  great  pain  for 
many  months,  when,  hoping  to  recover,  his  leg  was  taken  off*.  But 
this  was  done  too  late — the  disease  had  gone  too  far  to  be  stayed. 
The  Lonl  raised  his  mind  from  doubts  and  gloom,  and  in  sweet 
submission  to  his  Heavenly  Father's  will,  he  left  this  world  of  pain 
and  sorrow.  I  left  Weare  at  eight  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  reached  the 
house  of  mourning  at  twelve,  where  several  hundred  [)eople  had 
collected.  I  spoke  from  Rev.  14:13  :  ^^  Blessed  are  the  dead  whicli 
die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth :  Tea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they 
may  rest  from  their  lahoi's,  and  their  works  do  follow  them."  The 
amputated  limb  had  been  taken  from  the  earth,  and  placed  with 
the  body  in  the  coffin.  As  the  mourners  entered  their  solitary  hab- 
itation after  the  funeral  solemnities  closed,  they  poured  forth  their 
grief  like  a  flood,  and  every  spectator  wept.  I  conversed  a  few 
minutes  with  the  afHicted  widow,  who  was  a  devoted  Christian,  and 
strove  to  impart  some  consolation.  But  this  seemed  only  to  revive 
the  memory  of  past  scenes,  and  deepen  the  sense  of  her  bereave- 
ment. Thus  brother  Cheney  died  in  the  morning  of  his  days — 
left  a  w^ife  to  weep — two  pleasant  babes,  scared}  to  know  a  fath- 
er's kindness — and  the  church  to  mourn  their  loss.  This  was  one 
of  the  most  solemn  days  of  my  life.     Taking  leave  of  my  afflicted 


DAVID    MARKH. 


129 


friciulw,  I  rcturiK     to  Wcnrf  tlir  Muna  «>v«'nin{?,  and  on  tlic  way  cn- 
joyj'd  nnii'li  rtrriou..  rcfloc  tior,  and  hciivrnly  ((insolution. 

Monday  morning,  brotluT  Thornton  aii«{  niysrlf  \vt\  VVrare,  and 
pr(M'<.'«'dinj(  on  our  journoy  we  pas.srd  lliron<»h  HrattlrlMHo',  Vt., 
crossi'd  tlu'  (Jreen  Mountains,  hrld  ono  meeting  hy  the  way,  and 
on  the  UJth  of  th<!  month  arrived  at  Hallstown,  New  York.  We 
|>r«>a('hed  a  Tew  times  in  this  town,  and  found  friends.  We  visited 
the  celehrated  mineral  springs,  and  <hank  of  the  wat<'r.  Hut  these 
watf^rs,  thought  I,  can  bear  but  litthj  comparison  with  the  water  of 
life.  Large  numbers  eomo  to  thes(;  springs,  from  all  parts  of  tlie 
country,  for  the  recovery  of  their  health ;  yet  how  many  fail  of 
their  desired  object — return  home — and  die.  lint  whosoever 
^^  dnnketh  of  the  water"  that  Christ  shall  give,  ^^  shall  necer  die." 
Yet,  what  vast  multitudes  refuse  to  come  to  the  "  wat<'r  of  life," 
though  it  is  free,  "  without  money  and  witLout  price," — and  though, 
unhisa  they  come,  they  know  they  must  endure  the  pains  of 
eternal  death. 

Leaving  Kallstown,  we  crossed  the  Mohawk  and  contiiiued  our 
journey  to  Caiiujoharrie,  where  we  spent  a  f«!W  days,  and  preach- 
ed often,  but  saw  little  fruit  of  our  labor.  Yet,  as  "  the  husband- 
man waiteth  for  the  precious  fruit  of  the  earth,  and  hath  long  pa- 
tience," so  we  hoped  that  some  fruit  might  yet  appear.  From  the 
25th  of  July  to  the  20tb  of  August,  we  visited  and  preached  in 
Plainfield,  Winfield,  Brookfield,  Paris,  Brothertown,  Westmore- 
land, Verona,  and  Ilome.  In  these  meetings  we  witnessed  good 
seasons.  Some  wore  awakened,  and  a  few  brought  into  the  liberty 
of  the  gospel.  In  Brookfield,  Brothertown  and  Verona,  glorious 
revivals  had  lately  gladdened  the  hearts  of  hundreds.  We  enjoyed 
some  refreshing  interviews  with  the  converts. 

In  the  latter  part  of  August  I  arrived  at  my  father's  in  Junius. 
I  had  been  absent  about  eight  montlis,  and  was  received  with  un- 
usual gladness, — for  my  friends  having  heard  that  I  was  sick  nigh 
unto  death,  little  expected  to  meet  me  again  in  this  world. 

On  Wednesday,  25th,  we  held  a  meeting  in  Benton,  and  after 
this  proceeded  fifty  miles  to  Groveland.  In  this  plsice  the  yearly 
meeting  opened  in  a  grove,  on  the  28th  of  August,  1824.  The 
reports  from  the  different  parts  of  the  yearly  meeting  brought  good 
tidings  of  the  prosperity  of  Zion  in  several  churches.  On  Monday', 
we  had  a  Ministei*s'  conference,  in  which  we  knew  by  happy  ex- 
perience, that  it  is  good  for  brethren  to  dwell  in  unity. 

I  labored  with  brother  Thornton  several  days  in  Vienna,  Ver- 
ona, and  Westmoreland,  with  some  success.  As  he  decided  to 
preach  for  a  little  season  in  these  towns,  Sept.  11,  I  bade  him  fare- 
well. To  me  it  was  a  painful  parting.  I  had  enjoyed  many  hap- 
py hours  with  him.     He  was  humble,  grave,  holy  in  conversation 


^':v 


1   ' ' '  i»ila 


ki'A 


130 


MEMOIRS    OF 


and  deportment ;   his  fervent  love  to  Zion,  his  many  tears,  and  un- 
\\eari('d  labors  for  sinners,  had  greatly  endeared  him  to  my  soul. 

I  now  tliouglit  it  my  duty  to  visit  several  churches  in  the  Hol- 
land Purchase  yearly  meeting,  and  to  make  preparations  to  travel 
far  into  the  v/cUern  country,  to  preach  the  kingdom  of  God  to  the 
destitute  people  in  the  wilderness.  Taking  a  passage  on  the  canal, 
1  went  to  Junius,  staid  at  home  some  days,  and  held  several  very 
solemn  meetings.  The  seriousness  was  increased  by  the  death  of 
a  near  neighbor  of  my  father,  who  was  drowned.  In  one  of  these 
meetings  two  spoke  for  the  first  time.  I  visited  Groveland  again 
and  held  five  meetings.  In  one  we  witnessed  the  outpouring  of 
the  Spirit,  much  to  the  comfort  of  the  saints.  Next  1  attended  a 
meeting  in  Bristol,  and  four  in  Middlesex.  In  two  of  these  the 
Lord  greatly  blessed  me  while  speaking,  and  so  filled  my  soul  with 
his  glory,  that  there  seemed  but  one  step  between  me  and  heaven. 
Blessed  be  the  Lord ;  I  believe  he  gave  me  the  word,  and  the  peo- 
ple received  it  as  from  him.  I  held  a  meeting  in  Jerusalem,  and 
found  Wm.  Van  Tuyl,  a  young  man  who  was  awakened  in  my  Itu^t 
visit,  now  happy  in  the  Lord.  Leaving  Jerusalem  I  went  to  Dres- 
den, and  while  crossing  the  Seneca  lake  to  Ovid,  there  was  a  great 
calm,  so  that  we  were  four  hours  in  going  five  miles.  In  this  time, 
as  a  shower  came  upon  us,  I  took  an  umbrella  and  seated  myself 
in  my  gig.  Instantly  the  carriage  turned  over  backward,  and  my 
head  just  hit  the  side  plank  in  such  a  manner,  that  had  I  fallen  an 
inch  or  two  further  back,  doubtless  I  should  have  finished  my 
course.  I  felt  thankful  to  God  for  his  preserving  care,  and  said 
with  myself  in  the  language  of  Dr.  Watts : 

"  Dangers  ataiid  thick  through  all  the  groud, 
To  push  us  to  the  tomb." 

Wednesday,  Oct.  6,  1824,  I  enjoyed  an  interview  with  my  sister 
at  Ithica,  whom  I  had  not  seen  for  nearly  three  years.  She  lived 
in  a  religious  family,  yet  I  could  but  think  of  the  time  when  she 
had  a  mother's  care.  On  parting  with  her,  we  experienced  all 
those  tender  emotions  which  soften  the  heart  on  such  occasions. 
The  next  day  I  returned  to  my  father's,  and  on  Friday  Avent  to  the 
Benton  quarterly  meeting,  which  was  held  at  Sodus  on  the  9th  and 
lOtli  of  the  month.  Here  I  unexpectedly  had  another  interview  with 
brother  Thornton.  The  opportunity  was  sweet  to  my  soul ;  but 
the  reflection  that  we  were  soon  to  be  parted,  perhaps  forever, — 
and  that  in  a  few  days  I  should  be  travelling  in  the  lonely  forests 
of  the  west,  made  the  hours  to  haste  away  like  the  shadows  of  the 
plain.  His  preaching  was  spiritual,  and  gave  much  satisfaction. 
Monday,  we  took  the  parting  hand,  and  dropped  the  parting  tear. 
I  was  bidding  farewell,  to  meet  no  inore  in  this  world-  Yet  the 
blessed  hope  of  rejoining  each  other  in  our  Heavenly  Father's 
kingdom  comforted  our  hearts. 


:1  \ 


a. 


DAVID  MARKS.  131 


CHAPTER  Xni. 

My  Second  Journey  to   Ohio. 

On  Wednesday,  Oct.  13,  I  bade  my  father  and  liis  family  adieu, 
intending  if  it  should  be  the  will  of  the  Lord,  to  go  as  far  west  as 
the  Mississippi  river,  and  publish  the  ghid  tidings  of  salvation  to 
the  needy  in  that  section.  I  had  only  sixty-nine  cents  to  bear  my 
expenses  a  journey  of  one  thousand  miles,  nine  hundred  of  which 
were  among  strangers.  But  feeling  constrained  to  go,  my  trust 
was  in  Ilim  wlio  said,  "  Lo  I  am  ivilh  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end 
of  the  world."  He  had  shown  me  great  care,  and  I  believed  he 
would  still  protect  me. 

Pursuing  my  journey  westward  to  Hamburg,  near  Buffalo,  I 
preached  in  most  of  the  towns  through  which  I  passed.  In  Par- 
ma, where  a  revival  had  commenced,  a  large  number  came  for- 
ward for  prayer.  I  stopped  two  days  with  my  faithful  friend. 
Elder  Hinckley,  who  gave  mo  much  good  counsel,  and  presented 
me  six  or  seven  dollars.  In  Alexander,  several  careless  sinners 
were  awakened  and  prayed  for  mercy. 

Thursday,  Nov.  4,  1824.  ^Vnother  year  has  fled  forever — and 
still  I  live.  I  remember  that  a  year  ago  to-day  'the  query  arose, 
*  Shall  Hive  to  see  another  yearT  This  is  decide^!*  But  O,  how 
many  have  left  this  world  and  are  now  conversant  with  eternal 
scenes  !  Heaven  has  spared  me  till  nineteen  years  of  my  life  are 
passed.  And  why  is  this  ?  Is  it  that  I  may  be  useful  to  Zion, 
and  glorify  God  ?  Alas !  how  little  successful  have  I  been  the 
past  year  in  winning  souls  to  Christ.  How  many  thousands  have 
heard  me  preach — yet  how  few  of  them  have  been  persuaded  to 
turn  and  live  !  Had  I  lived  nearer  the  Lord,  I  should  have  been 
more  successful — and  many  to  whom  I  shall  never  speak  again, 
might  have  been  saved  from  death.  But  these  opportunities  are 
gone  forever — till  the  heavens  be  no  more.  Then  I  must  meet 
them,  and  give  account  to  God  of  what  I  have  preached,  and  how 
I  have  preached.  0  Lord,  forgive  all  the  unfaithfidness  of  thy 
unprofitahle  servant,  and  enable  me  henceforth  to  have  no  will  hit 
thine — no  object,  but  thy  glory — and  no  work  but  what  thou  shalt 
assign  me.  But  whether  I  shall  live  to  see  another  year  or  not,  is 
known  only  to  Him  with  whom  all  things  are  present.  Therefore, 
may  I  live  each  day  as  humble  as  though  it  were  my  last,  and 
preach  every  sermon  as  faithfully  as  though  it  were  my  last;  so 
that  should  ray  time  come  "  as  a  thief  in  the  night,"  I  may  be  pre- 
pared.    "  Even  so  let  it  be,  Lord  Jesus." 


, ' .  '•w 


'n:. 


HI 
■'If 


132 


MEMOIRS    OP 


I  spent  the  three  following  days  in  Boston,  and  held  five  meet- 
ings. Some  hoard  with  tears,  and  a  few  promised  to  seek  the 
Lord.  Next  day  I  preached  twice  in  Eden  and  held  two  meetings. 
Friday,  I  proceeded  on  ray  way  toward  Ohio, — not  knowing  what 
should  hefall  me,  save  that  experience  bore  me  witness  that  pover- 
ty and  afflictions  awaited  me.  Yet  the  Lord  wiped  away  my  tears, 
and  I  felt  peace — believing  this  journey  was  in  obedience  to  the 
requirement  of  my  Heavenly  Father.  Saturday,  held  a  meeting 
at  Hanover,  but  enjoyed  little  freedom.  On  the  Sabbath,  preach- 
ing again  at  Hanover,  the  gracious  Redeemer  freed  my  spirit,  and 
made  my  soul  to  mount  up  as  with  wings.  At  the  close,  fourteen 
kneeled,  while  prayer  was  made  for  their  salvation.  Continuing 
my  journey,  I  preached  in  several  towns  in  New  York  and  Penn- 
sylvania, 

Tuesday,  Nov.  23,  I  entered  the  state  of  Ohio,  and  spoke  with 
freedom  to  a  solemn  assembly  in  Conneaut.  Here  a  glorious  re- 
vival was  gladdening  Zion,  under  the  labors  of  Elder  Asa  Morri- 
son. About  two  hundred  had  professed  to  find  the  "  pearl  of  great 
price."  On  Thursday  I  attended  Elder  Morrison's  appointment  to 
preach  a  funeral  discourse.  He  read  1  Pet.  1:24,  25,  for  a  text, 
spoke  about  ten  minutes,  then  told  the  people  he  could  not  preach ; 
and  after  addressing  the  mourners  about  five  minutes,  he  took  his 
seat,  apparently  much  depressed  in  spirit.  Feeling  an  impression 
of  duty,  I  arose  immediately,  and  spoke  from  the  same  Scripture. 
It  pleased  the  Lord  to  give  me  much  liberty.  Blessed  be  his  name. 
Thursday,  Nov.  25,  had  been  appointed  by  the  governor  of  the 
state  for  a  day  of  public  thanksgiving.  I  met  an  assembly  in  the 
evening  at  the  centre  of  the  town,  and  many  I  believe  felt  that 
thankfulness  which  makes  the  soul  happy.  The  next  day  I  preach- 
ed in  Monroe,  and  the  word  appeared  to  touch  the  hearts  of  some. 
The  day  following  I  visited  a  family  who  professed  no  religion — 
conversed  and  prayed  with  them,  and  left  them  all  weeping.  Sab- 
bath I  addressed  an  assembly  at  Conneaut  centre,  from  Jeremiah 
6:16.  Through  the  whole  there  was  much  solemnity ;  and  at  the 
close,  nearly  twenty  mourners  came  forward  for  prayer.  In  this 
place,  five  dollars  were  given  me,  for  which  I  returned  tha^iks  to 
ray  Master.     In  the  evening  I  preached  at  Kingsville. 

On  Monday  evening,  I  preached  a  few  miles  west  of  Ashtabula, 

from  Gen.  1 :3.     After  meeting,  Mr. invited  me  to  stay  with 

him  the  night.     I  accepted  his  invitation  :   he  asked  me  to  eat  no 


'to* 


supper — gave  me  no  breakfast — ^and  charged  me  for  keeping  my 
horse.  I  paid  my  bill,  bade  him  adieu,  and  rode  twenty  miles  to 
Perry.  Being  requested  to  hold  a  meeting  in  this  place,  I  com- 
plied, and  was  kindly  received  by  the  people.  The  next  day  I 
preached  in  the  Baptist  meeting  house  at  Euclid,  twenty-five  miles 


DAVID   MAUK3. 


133 


leet- 
i  the 
ings. 
what 
)vcr- 
ears, 

0  the 
eting 
each- 
:,  and 
rteen 
nuing 
Penn- 

}  with 
us  re- 
Iklorri- 
*  great 
lent  t« 

1  text, 
reaeh ; 
)ok  his 
ression 
ipture. 

name, 
of  the 
in  the 
ilt  that 
reach- 
some. 
Igion — - 
Sab- 
•emiah 
at  the 
lln  this 
nks  to 

Itabula, 
ly  with 

I  eat  no 

liles  to 

II  com- 
day  I 
miles 


from  Perry.  A  precious  season  was  enjoyed,  and  many  entreated 
me  to  stay  awhile.  But  believing  that  duty  forbade,  1  proceeded 
the  next  morning  at  dawn  of  day,  and  on  Friday  arrived  in  Milan, 
Huron  county.  Having  preached  in  this  town  considerably  in  my 
former  visit  to  this  state,  I  now  found  acquaintance  uid  was  affec- 
tionately received.  I  spent  nearly  a  week  in  this  town,  preaching 
daily.  My  mind  was  shut  up  in  doubts  and  trials  in  some  of  these 
meetings, — in  others  the  Lord  blessed  me.  I  met  some  opposition 
from  prodcstinarians,  and  from  the  advocates  of  infant  sprinkling. 
I  merely  entn^atod  them  to  search  the  Scriptures,  and  see  whether 
I  had  j)reached  according  to  truth. 

Saturday,  Dec.  11,  I  spoke  to  an  assembly  in  Bloomingville, 
from  Rom.  10:  10.  In  this  discourse  I  preached  a  full  atonement 
— and  that  the  Savior  is  willing  to  save  all  men,  if  they  will  re- 
pent and  believe  according  to  the  grace  given  them  in  the  gospel. 
When  I  closed  my  remarks,  a  man  arose  and  objected  to  the  doc- 
trine :  he  said  it  represented  God  as  superfluous  in  his  work ;  "  For 
instance,  like  a  man  who  intends  to  build  a  house  twenty  feet  by 
twenty,  but  digs  a  cellar  forty  feet  by  twenty"  "  Th(;refbre,"  said 
he,  "  as  one  half  of  this  work  would  be  superfluous,  so  would  a 
general  atonement  be,  unless  God  designed  to  save  all  men."  To 
this  I  replied,  that  the  Lord  sends  the  rain  and  snow  on  the  barren 
wastes  unoccupied  by  man,  also  upon  the  fields  of  the  slothful. 
Likewise  he  maketh  the  sun  t^;  shine,  where  seemingly  there  is  no 
need  of  light.  Yet  this  does  not  prove  that  the  great  Creator  is 
superfluous  in  his  works.  No  more  can  a  general  atonement, 
wherel)y  all  men  may  have  salvation,  be  a  superfluous  work.  For 
hy  it  alone  the  equality  of  God's  ways  to  his  creatures  is  manifest- 
ed, and  the  sinner's  personal  guilt  made  to  appear,  and  to  fall  upon 
his  own  soul  in  such  a  manner  as  to  leave  him  without  excuse. 
This  vvill  make  him  speechless  in  the  great  day  of  retribution. 

On  the  Sabbath,  I  gave  two  discourses  in  York.  After  the  close, 
several  young  men  who  were  mourning  for  their  sins,  kneeled  in 
the  time  of  prayer.  My  horse  having  met  with  an  accident,  pre- 
vented me  from  pursuing  my  journey.  I  endeavored  to  improve 
my  detention  in  labors  to  save  souls  in  the  vicinity  where  I  was 
staying.  During  the  remainder  of  Dec.  I  labored  according  to  the 
grace  given  me,  in  various  towns  in  the  neighborhood  of  York. 

In  Green  Creek,  I  visited  a  man  named  Abraham  Marks,  who 
was  at  the  point  of  death.  At  this  time,  he  was  vomiting  a  black 
substance,  which,  as  his  physician  afterwards  stated,  was  his  vital 
parts.  Still  he  was  free  from  pain,  and  seemed  to  be  almost  with- 
out concern.     He  knew  not  that  death  was  nigh ;  but  in  a  few 


•■•! 


*      ft  ^v 


I      \L 


);,     '^^M 


i  -^-"th 


minutes  his  spirit  took  its  flight.     The  day 
funeral  and  preached  from  Eccl.  7:2.    "  It 
12 


after,  I  attended  the 
is  better  to  go  to  the 


Mi 


134 


MEMOIRS    OF 


house  of  mourning  than  to  go  to  the  house  of  feasting :  for  that  is 
the  end  of  all  men,  and  the  living  will  lag  it  to  his  heart."  It  was 
a  time  of  much  weeping.  But  alas!  the  sorrow  of  many  continu- 
ed only  for  a  little  season,  and  their  forgetfulness  of  God  returned. 
While  on  our  way  to  the  grave,  which  waa  in  the  edge  of  a  forest, 
the  sun  went  down,  and  the  solemnities  of  the  burial  were  much 
increased  by  th«;ir  being  performed  by  moonlight. 

January  1,  1825,  1  addressed  a  solemn  assembly  in  York,  and 
started  again  on  my  journey,  but  had  gone  only  five  miles,  when 
my  horse  became  so  lame  that  I  was  unable  to  proceed.  So  I  re- 
turned to  York,  and  held  a  few  meetings.  As  my  beast  remained 
unfit  for  use,  and  as  no  i)rospect  appeared  of  a  change  for  the  bet- 
ter, I  concluded  to  teach  a  school  in  this  town  and  preach  with  the 
people.  Accordingly  I  engaged  one  for  three  months  at  ten  dol- 
lars per  month,  hoping  by  this  to  be  enabled  to  supply  my  wants, 
and  free  myself  from  embarrassment.  From  the  commencement 
of  my  travels,  I  had  endeavored  to  employ  all  my  leisure  time  in 
study,  and  by  this  course  had  improved  my  education.  Still  I  was 
poorly  qualified  for  the  business  ;  but  the  school  being  backward,  I 
thought  by  diligence  and  perseverance  I  might  get  along.  This 
was  my  first  engagement  in  any  worldly  employment  for  four  years. 
I  now  made  stated  appointments  twice  a  week  in  York,  and  twice 
in  Green  Creek,  five  miles  from  my  school.  I  generally  walkcf^ 
to  the  latter  place  after  the  close  of  my  school,  frequently  without 
having  taken  any  food  after  breakfast,  except  a  piece  with  my 
scholars,  and  often  arrived  at  the  meeting  too  late  to  partake  of 
any  refreshment  till  after  the  exercises.  Sometimes,  in  order  to 
meet  my  engagements,  I  would  leave  Green  Creek  without  any 
breakfast,  and  arriving  only  in  season  to  commence  my  school,  I 
would  have  no  opportunity  to  get  a  regular  meal  till  night.  Three 
or  four  miles  of  this  distance  lay  through  woods,  and  having  no 
guide  excei)t  marked  trees,  twice  I  lost  my  way,  and  wandered  for 
some  time.  These  toils  and  privations  I  endured  joyfully,  that  1 
might  warn  the  wicked  and  win  souls  to  Christ.  Sometimes  the 
Lord  gave  me  freedom,  led  my  soul  into  the  deep  waters,  and  com- 
forted me  with  the  cheering  light  of  his  countenance. 

In  York,  a  few  believed  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  latter  part  of 
January,  a  church  of  twelve  or  fourteen  members  was  organized 
by  Elders  J.  Mugg  and  Samuel  Bradford.  This  month  I  attend- 
ed the  Huron  quarterly  meeting,  which  was  a  quickening,  refresh- 
ing time  to  Zion.  In  Green  Creek,  we  had  some  good  seasons. 
A  small  number  professed  to  find  Jesus,  and  many  others  were 
much  impressed,  but  shrinking  at  the  cross  they  found  no  salvation. 
Still  I  sowed  with  the  hope,  that  the  good  seed  of  the  kingdom  would 
yet  spring  up  and  bear  fruit.     In  this  town  I  was  called  to  preach 


wij 

sor 

ha.'l 

ed 

boll 

felt 


X 


DAVID    MARKS. 


135 


/as 

tiu- 

ed. 

est, 

uch 

and 
rhcn 

re- 

tined 

bet- 

li  the 

dol- 
iranttt, 
;ment 
ne  in 
I  waft 
mrd,  1 

This 
years. 
I  twice 
walke(^ 

ithout 
ith  my 
ake  of 
rder  to 

lut  any 
;hool,  1 

Three 
|ving  no 

red  for 
that  1 

[nes  the 

nd  com- 
part of 

rganized 

attend- 

refresh- 

seasons. 

jvs  were 

talvation. 

W  would 

[o  preach 


on  two  funeral  occasions.  One  was  a  yoiinj;  man  just  married, 
who  after  one  week's  sickness,  was  cut  ofV  irom  life.  The  other 
was  an  iv^cd  man.  Neither  of  them  professed  to  have  any  hope  in 
Ohrist.  Alas!  how  many  live  without  God,  and  are  unprepared 
when  calle<l  to  meet  the  con(pjering  foe.  I  visited  other  towns  at 
the  dist:u>.ce  of  ten,  twenty,  or  thirty  miles,  and  preached  according 
to  the  grace  given  me.  At  some  of  these  m(!etings,  there  were 
good  signs  ;  at  others,  my  spirit  was  cast  down,  and  the  solitary 
places  were  witness  to  my  groans  for  the  salvation  of  sinners, 
(renerally,  however,  I  enjoyed  peace  of  mind,  which  was  sweeter 
than  anything  this  earth  can  afford. 

About  two  months  after  the  con'mencement  of  my  school,  sick- 
ness began  to  prevail,  and  a  number  of  my  scholars  were  taken  ill. 
This  so  reduced  the  school,  that  after  obtaining  the  consent  of  my 
tnnployers,  I  dismissed  it.  By  faithful  care,  my  horse  had  become 
fit  ibr  use,  and  I  made  preparations  to  go  my  way. 

March  18,  I  crossed  the  Indian  reservation,  twelve  miles  through 
the  wilderness,  and  the  day  following,  attended  a  meeting  at  the 
Methodist  missionary  station  at  Upper  Sandusky.      March  20, 1 
proceeded  to  Big  Island  in  Marion  county,  where  I  found  an  as- 
sembly collected  to  hear  Elder  David  Dudley,  who  was  a  Free- 
will Baptist.     Many  more  were  present  than  could  enter  the  house. 
Being  a  stranger,  I  took  a  seat  without,  till  the  discourse  was  clos- 
ed.    Then,  going  to  the  door,  I  looked  in  and  said,  "  There  is  in 
this  town,  a  certain  son,  who  has  received  of  his  father  a  rich  in- 
heritance, with  every  kindness  a  parent's  love  can  bestow.     The  fa- 
ther has  visited  the  son  several  times ; — but,  without  cause,  the  son 
has  absolutely  refused  even  to  receive  him  into  his  house !     The 
father  has  reasoned  the  case,  and  aifectionalely  entreated  the  son 
again  and  again, — reminding  him  of  his  liberality  and  uniform 
kindness.     Still,  this  son,  though  he  did  not  pretend  to  dispute  the 
kindness  of  his  father,  nor  assign  a  single  reason  for  his  own  con- 
duct, has  obstinately  persisted  in  refusing  to  give  his  father  admis- 
sion into  his  habitation."     Inquisitive  countenances,  surprise  and 
disgust,  with  a  breathless  silence,  immediately  ensued.  Afterapause, 
I  said,  "  This  son  is  now  present."    The  anxious  inquiry, "  Who  can 
it  be  ?"  seemed  heightened,  atul  the   people  looked  on  one  another 
with  astonishment.     Then  said  I,    "  Sinner,  thou  art  this  rebellious 
son  !    God,  thy  Father  by  creation,  has  given  thee  all  the  good  thou 
hast  ever  enjoyed.     Often  he  hath  visited  thee  in  mercy,  and  knock- 
ed at  the  door  of  thy  heart — but  by  unbelief  thou  hast  obstinately 
bolted  him  out !"     The  Spirit  of  God  set  this  home  to  the  assem- 
bly— and  many  wept.     A  justice  of  the  peace,  that  was  present, 
felt  this  applied  to  hira  as  though  a  voice  from  heaven  had  said, 


Hi  r 


.■) '     in' ' 


136 


HEMOIRS    OF 


« 


"  Thou  art  the  mnn."     lie  felt  that  he  was  the  rebellious  son,  ami 
mourned  for  his  sins  till  God  spoke  peace  to  his  soul. 

lien;  my  acujiiaintance  with  Elder  Dudley  eommeneed.  lie  re- 
moved to  this  town  ahout  two  years  ])revious,  and  gathered  a  small 
church,  but  they  had  labored  under  many  trials.  Elder  D.  had  of- 
t«n  wept  for  the  unbelief  of  the  people  and  tlu;  low  state  of  Zion. 
The  Lord  had  lately  ariswered  his  prayers,  and  revived  His  work. 
He  was  witnessing  a  revival  in  the  place  of  his  residence,  and  in 
an  adjacent  town.  A  large  number  had  idready  been  converted, 
and  the  church  increased  to  forty-five  or  fifty  members,  all  happily 
united  in  the  service  of  (j!od.  1  found  many  open  doors  for  preach- 
ing; and  my  health  being  poor,  and  the  time  so  far  juvssed,  1  gave 
up  the  idea  of  going  to  the  Mississippi ;  and  for  a  time  labored  in 
Big  Island,  Salt-rock,  and  at  Marion  county  seat.  The  Lord  fa- 
vored me  with  some  good  seasons. 

About  this  time,  I  visited  Grand  township,  which  joins  Salt-rock, 
and  preached  in  a  neighborhood  situated  on  the  line  of  these  towns. 
Being  strongly  solicited  by  several  brethren  to  teach  a  school  in 
this  vicinity,  I  engaged  one  for  three  months,  thinking  that  still  I 
might  preach  as  much  jis  my  health  would  admit.  I  had  subscription 
fortwenty-five  scholars,  at  SI, 50  each,  and  commenced  teaching  on 
Tuesday,  March  21),  1825.  I  made  stated  appointments,  three 
times  a  week  at  my  school  house,  and  once  a  week  about  five  miles 
distant.  In  the  vicinity  of  the  last  appointment  the  people  appear- 
ed to  have  as  little  idea  of  repentance,  of  regeneration,  and 
the  nature  of  the  gospel,  as  any  people  to  whom  I  ever  preach- 
ed. I  attended  my  appointments  with  them  a  few  weeks,  and 
sometimes  spoke  witli  much  freedom ;  but  the  effect  seemed 
no  more  than  beating  upon  an  adamant.  At  length,  despair- 
ing of  seeing  any  success  I  withdrew  my  appointments.  In  the 
vicinity  of  my  school,  I  found  it  hard  preaching,  as  the  people  gen- 
erally had  little  faith  in  the  gospel,  or  little  understanding  even  of 
its  theory.  Their  views  of  the  way  to  heaven  seemed  to  be  these  : 
-—to  cease  from  immoralities — to  do  good — join  the  church,  and  at- 
tend meetings  and  prayers  regularly.  Once  I  remarked  in  a  dis- 
course, '  that  a  man  may  be  strictly  moral, — may  be  a  member  of 
the  church, — attend  family  prayer, — and  still  die  in  his.  sins,  and 
go  to  hell.'  This  remark  was  much  spoken  of  as  a  presumptuous 
saying.  But  few  weeks  passed,  however,  before  I  felt  the  Spirit 
of  the  Lord  "  like  a  fire  shut  up  in  my  bones ;"  and  the  power  of 
God  attended  the  word  to  the  hearts  of  the  people. 

Sabbath,  April  24,  I  spoke  in  the  forenoon  from  Luke  9:25 : 
"  For  what  is  a  man  advantaged,  if  he  gain  the  whole  world,  and 
lose  himself,  or  be  cast  away  ?"  Li  the  afternoon,  I  spoke  from 
verse  23,  of  the  same  chapter :    "  If  any  man  will  come  after  me. 


DAVID    MARKS. 


137 


let  him  ilvny  himself,"  &c.  Several  were  pricked  in  the  heart  and 
cried  to  the  Lord  for  mercy.  In  the  evening  we  had  another  meet- 
ing, and  were  still  more  favored  of  the  Lord.  Four  anxious  souls 
were  brought  into  liberty  and  praised  God.  Col.  C.  of  this  place, 
arose  weeping,  and  said,  "  Christian  friends,  do  pray  for  me ;" 
then  he  fell  upon  his  knees  and  wept  exceedingly.  In  about  a 
week  he  found  peace  in  believing,  and  publicly  confessed  Christ. 
Ilis  conversion  was  instrumental  of  the  conviction  of  his  wife,  who 
also  soon  found  Jesus. 

May  IG,  1825.  While  dining  near  the  school  house,  I  heard  a 
sudden  sound,  like  the  coming  of  a  mighty  whirlwind.  A  breath- 
less silence  ensued,  and  in  an  instant,  all  left  the  table.  Apprised 
of  wliat  was  at  lijind,  I  thought  of  my  scholars,  and  petitioned 
Heaven  to  protect  them  from  danger.  About  twenty-five  were  in 
the  school-house,  which  was  situated  in  a  grove  of  large  oaks.  On 
coming  into  the  open  air,  such  a  scene  was  presented  as  I  had  nev- 
er witnessed.  The  trees  of  the  adjacent  forest  seemed  to  bow  be- 
fore a  dreadful  hurricane,  like  grass  before  the  mower's  scythe. 
Large  branches  of  trees  were  flying  in  the  air  over  the  fields  like 
husks,  the  eai'th  trembled  at  the  sound,  and  all  around  seemed  as  if 
the  judgment  day  had  come.  We  clung  to  the  body  of  a  log- 
house  that  had  just  been  rolled  up,  to  keep  from  being  driven  away. 
In  about  two  minutes,  this  seeming  agitation  of  all  nature  a  little 
subsided.  On  looking  around,  we  saw  an  oak  four  or  five  feet  in 
diameter,  which  had  fallen  within  two  rods  of  us,  but  such  had 
been  the  noise,  that  till  now,  we  had  not  perceived  it.  We  were 
yet  more  astonished  on  finding  that  the  wind  had  blown  very  little, 
for  perhaps  within  twenty-five  rods  of  the  school  house — and 
though  the  trees  fell  in  great  numbers  each  side  of  it,  not  one  fell 
A\ithin  this  distance.  After  the  tempest,  many  pine  shingles  were 
found  in  the  neighborhood ;  and  as  there  were  none  in  these  towns, 
the  peo[de  concluded  they  must  have  been  brought  from  the  west 
over  a  fifty  mile  forest  which  joined  the  neighborhood  in  that  direc- 
tion. We  understood  that  in  Uie  western  settlements,  the  tornado 
levelled  almost  every  house  in  its  course,  till  it  came  to  this  forest 
We  also  learned  from  the  public  paj)ers,  tliat  after  it  left  the  coun- 
ty of  Marion,  its  violence  much  increased  as  it  moved  eastward, 
till  it  came  to  the  east  and  west  forks  of  Licking.  Then  it  swept 
every  thing  in  its  course,  levelled  nearly  every  house  and  barn,  car- 
ried many  large  trees  in  the  air,  throwing  them  end  over  end  like 
the  stalks  of  corn  when  carried  by  a  fierce  wind.  The  destruction 
of  property  was  great,  and  several  lives  were  lost.  I  understood 
that  one  man  who  fled  from  a  large  brick  house  into  an  orchard, 
had  his  brains  dashed  out  by  a  stick  twelve  inches  in  length  and 
one  and  a  half  in  diameter,  that  was  driven  by  the  wind.  The 
12* 


l1 


r 


in 


msrs 


'^  ^  \m 


m 


138 


MEMOIRS    OF 


m:  ■ 


house  from  which  he  fled  was  levelled,  and  the  family  escaped  by 
taking  refuge  in  the  cellar.  We  were  also  informed,  that  two  men 
on  a  plain,  seeing  a  cloud  rising  in  the  west,  watched  it,  till  they 
discovered  that  it  was  a  cloud  of  trees,  branches,  &c.  brought  by 
the  wind.  One  hid  himself  under  a  fallen  tree ;  the  other  wa^ 
carried  by  the  wind  half  a  mile,  but  by  clinging  to  brushes  that 
were  flying  in  the  air,  he  finally  escaped  with  his  life  and  sustained 
little  injury.  This  whirlwind  was  thought  to  exceed  in  its  violence 
any  that  had  ever  visited  this  country.  I  thought,  Alas  !  what  will 
sinners  do,  when  the  "  whirlwind  of  the  IjOUD  ffoeth  forth  ivith  fu- 
ry, a  continuina  ivhirlwind ;  it  shall  fall  with  pain  upon  the  head 
of  the  wicked"  "  and  they  shall  not  escape.*^  Jer.  30:23  ;  Job,  11: 
20.  Let  him  that  is  wise  seek  a  hiding  place  from  that  awful  storm 
of  wrath,  which  will  soon  be  poured  out  upon  the  ungodly. 

The  revival  continued  to  progress  in  the  townships  of  Grand 
and  Salt-rock,  till  twelve  or  fifteen  professed  to  experience  salva- 
tion. Elder  Dudley  preached  with  us  twice,  and  baptized  eleven 
of  the  converts,  among  whom  were  Col.  C.  and  Esq.  H.  who  was 
RAvakened  at  the  time  I  addressed  the  sinner  under  the  character 
of  the  rebellious  son.  These  united  with  the  church  at  Big  Island. 
In  the  meantime,  Mr.  J.  Dixon,  a  circuit  preacher  of  the  Metho- 
dists, came  into  the  vicinity  of  the  revival  and  gathered  a  society 
of  about  twenty-five  members.  Of  these,  I  understood  that  only 
four  or  five  professed  to  enjoy  religion.  lie  urged  the  anxious  for- 
ward, saying  to  them,  if  they  would  take  up  the  cross  and  join  the 
society,  perhaps  they  would  immediately  find  salvation.  Accord- 
ingly they  complied,  but  sad  was  the  apparent  effect ;  for  from  this 
time,  as  they  were  Avithin  the  pales  of  the  church,  they  seemed  to  feel 
measurably  secure,  and  soon,  to  appciarance,  their  concern  and  anx- 
iety for  salvation  died  away.  I  think,  or'  the  twenty  anxious  souls 
that  united  with  the  society,  there  was  not  one,  or  at  least  not  more 
than  one,  that  professed  to  experience  a  saving  change  of  heart. 
Tims  the  revival  stopped.  .0!  how  this  pained  my  souL  I  wrote 
a  letter  to  Mr.  Dixon,  and  endeavored  to  convince  him  that  bis 
course  had  been  unscriptural,  and  stated  the  eflToct,  which,  to  ^aXJ- 
pearance,  it  had  on  the  minds  of  the  anxious.  He  returned  me  an 
answer,  in  which  he  justified  his  practice  of  building  churcli^s  or 
fiocieties  of  unconverted  persons.  To  the  answer  he  added  a 
lengthy  poetic  satire.  In  tliis,  he  called  me  ^^I^olly's  eldest  son  ;" — 
and  made  an  epitaph  accordingly,  to  be  put  on  my  tombstone.  As 
he  was  a  professed  minister  of  the  meek  and  lowly  Jesus,  it  deeply 
wounded  my  soul.  With  an  aching  heart,  I  laid  it  before  the  Lord, 
and  concluded  to  let  it  rest  till  I  should  meet  him  at  that  tribunal 
from  which  there  will  be  no  appeal.  I  was  informed  that  some  of 
the  Methodist  brethren  were  grieved  with  him  for  this  satire,  and 


DAVID    MARKS. 


139 


liilkcd  of  reporting  hiiu  to  the  Conference.  But  this  wns  the 
last  I  heard  of  it.  O  that  he  may  repent  and  find  mercy  in  the  day 
of  the  Lord. 

During  my  school,  I  frequently  preached  in  other  neig]d)orhood8. 
particularly  in  Big  Island,  and  at  Marion  eounly  seat.  In  the  for- 
mer place  the  revival  under  the  labors  of  Elder  Dudley  continu- 
ed, and  the  cliurch  in  his  care  walked  in  great  liberty.  A  more 
happy  and  engaged  people,  I  think  I  had  never  seen.  Such  jww- 
er  and  glory  were  frequently  manifcste<l  in  their  meetings,  that 
tliey  were  indeed  awful  on  account  of  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 

I  was  present  on  a  baptisnud  occasion,  that  was  remarkably  in- 
teresting. The  day  was  beautiful,  and  baptism  was  performed  in 
the  river  Sciota,  in  the  midst  of  the  great  prairie  between  Big  Isl- 
and and  Marion.  Scarcely  a  tree  or  shrub  obstructed  the  siglit  for 
several  square  miles.  The  grass  that  was  now  four  or  five  feet  in 
height,  'bended  gently  before  a  breeze,  while  the  assembly  form- 
ed a  procession  between  one  and  two  miles  in  length.  They  came 
to  the  river  about  the  centre  of  the  prairie  where  they  had  been 
wont  to  baptize,  and  there  met  another  company  of  people  from 
Marion  county  seat.  A  large  proportion  of  this  assembly  were 
holy  Christians  and  happy  converts.  They  began  to  sing  one  of 
the  songs  of  Zion,  and  were  filled  with  joy  somewhat  like  that  which 
gladdened  the  heart  of  the  disciples,  when,  as  their  blessed  Master 
was  riding  into  Jerusalem,  they  cried  "  Hosanna  to  the  Son  of  Da- 
I'id!"  We  kneeled  on  the  grass  while  prayer  was  made  to  God  ; 
then  Elder  Dudley  led  five  h;ij)py  converts  into  the  stream  who 
came  out  rejoicing.  Much  solemnity  ])crvadcd  the  assembly 
and  many  wept.  At  the  conclusion  of  this  interesting  sea- 
son, the  church,  joining  hands,  formed  a  ring,  in  which  those 
just  baptized  united,  and  thus  received  the  right  hand  of  fellowship. 
Then  all  kneeled  and  prayer  was  made  for  them,  for  the  anxious 
that  were  present,  for  the  assembly,  and  for  the  whole  world.  They 
united  again  in  a  song  of  praise,  that  with  heavenly  melody  rang 
over  the  plain.  Shortly  after  they  commenced  singing,  they  began 
to  shake  hands  with  each  other,  and  before  the  hymn  closed,  this 
.salutation  was  exchanged  by  nearly  the  whole  assembly ;  and  many 
seemed  almost  "  caught  aw^ay  by  the  Si)irit."  While  the  congrega- 
tion was  dispersing,  I  watched  the  different  companies  as  they  fol- 
lowed the  winding  paths  through  the  waving  grass,  and  from  some 
I  heard  the  voice  of  singing  and  gladness  till  they  were  lost  from 
sight  in  the  distant  oak  groves  that  surrounded  the  prairie  of 
Sciota.  My  soul  was  melted  by  the  sublimity  of  the  scene  ;  and 
iis  I  retired,  I  wept  for  joy.  This  day  I  remember  as  one  of  the 
most  interesting  of  my  life. 

My  school  closed  on  the  25th  of  June,  1825.     I  uniformly  began 


tt 


"i 


-l\ 


1         4|' 


:>'!; 


140 


MKMOmS    OP 


and  closed  the  exercises  of  the  day  with  prayer;  and  frequently 
made  addressi's  to  the  scholars,  which  seemed  to  gain  place  in 
their  hearfs^  and  thcjy  often  listened  with  tears.  They  had  treated 
me  with  much  aHV^etion,  and  I  found  the  thoughts  of  parting  with 
them  quite  j)ainful.  The  manner  of  their  instruction  from  former 
teachers,  was  very  different  from  that  willi  which  I  had  been  ac- 
quainted ;  and  pursuing  the  method  usual  in  (lie  eastern  states,  it 
was  not  only  new  and  pleasing  to  the  scholars,  hut  also  to  my  em- 
ployers. Many  solicited  me  to  engage  for  another  term.  I  had 
enjoyed  peace  of  mind,  and  did  not  feel  that  I  had  crre<l  in  past 
engagements  ;  for  I  had  opportunities  of  preaching  often,  and  the 
Lord  had  blessed  the  word  to  the  salvation  of  some.  I  had  also 
enjoyed  an  advantage  that  I  did  not  anticipate.  I  found  that  in- 
structing others  had  contributed  to  my  own  improvement.  At  the 
commencement  of  my  school  in  York,  I  began  the  study  of  figures 
without  an  instructor.  As  I  boarded  with  my  employers,  and 
preached  five  or  six  times  in  a  week,  I  had  little  leisure  for  study, 
till  after  otliers  retir(.'d  to  rest.  By  continuing  my  studies  till  mid- 
night, and  sometimes  till  two  or  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  I 
succeeded,  with  two  or  three  exceptions,  in  working  all  the  sums 
in  Adams'  Arithmetic,  before  the  close  of  my  second  school. 

July  1, 1825,1  engaged  to  teach  the  same  school  another  term  of 
three  months.  Soon  I  felt  impressions,  that  the  harvest  time  with 
sinners  in  this  [)lac(;  had  ))aspcd,  that  several  who  had  been  awak- 
ened to  seek  God,  had  grieved  his  Spirit,  and  that  now  the  Lord 
had  said  of  them  as  ho  did  of  Ephraim  :  Tlmj  arc  ^^  joined  to 
idols  ;  let  them  alone"  I  told  these  impressions  in  public,  and  at 
the  same  time  felt  a  deep  sense  of  the  awfid  justice  of  the  great 
(Jod.  I  felt  that  it  was  a  sealing  time,  and  these  presentiment^s 
proved  true;  for  not  one  soid,  during  my  stay,  afterwards  profess- 
ed to  find  salvation.  Siill  I  continued  preaching  with  great  free- 
dom, and  much  peace  of  mind.  My  discourses,  however,  were 
principally  directed  to  comfort  and  strengtlien  the  saints.  I  ob- 
served some  seriousness  in  my  school,  and  hoped  tliat  at  some  fu- 
ture period,  the  good  seed  that  had  been  sown  with  many  tears, 
would  spring  up  and  bear  fruit.  These  hopes  were  not  unfounded. 
One  or  two  years  after  I  left  Ohio,  I  received  a  letter  from  a 
friend,  stating  that  several  of  these  children  had  been  converted, 
and  often  reflected  on  the  serious  impressions  they  received  in  this 
school. 

About  this  time,  I  began  to  have  forebodings  that  sickness  await- 
ed me,  and  peidiaps  death.  I  spoke  of  these  several  times  to  my 
friends,  particularly  to  brother  Bates,  formerly  from  Montpelier. 
Vt.  He  had  been  in  the  the  holy  war  forty-six  years.  The  Lord 
had  blessed  him  with  a  convenient  dwelling,  and  the  good  things  of 


DAVID    MARKS. 


141 


Ob- 


tliis  Vifo,;  and  lie  kindly  invited  mc,  if  I  should  l>e  ill,  to  come  to 
hJH  lionsci,  when;  he  u.ssiin  <1  mv  I  should  have  every  kinducHs  in 
{Uv.'w  |)()W(U'  to  bestow.  On  tlu;  lOth  of  Aii^'ust,  I  began  to  ft^el 
unwell ;  but  continued  my  school.  The  next  day,  my  indisposi- 
tion increased,  and  with  considerabh?  etfort  I  passed  throuji^h  the 
duties  of  the  school,  then  told  my  scholars  that  I  was  ill,  and  they 
need  not  come  again  till  they  heard  from  me.  A  show(>r  was  now 
lising,  and  Jis  I  felt  anxious  to  reach  brother  Hates',  a  distanc(;  of 
thre(!  miles,  I  rode  very  fast;  but  being  overtaken  by  tin;  rain, 
when  within  half  a  mile  of  his  house,  1  called  on  a  friend,  took  u 
bed,  and  staid  the  night.  The  next  morning,  I  was  only  able  to 
ride  to  brother  Bates',  where  I  was  affectionately  received,  and 
went  immediately  to  bed.  A  fv.voT  had  fastene«l  upon  my  system, 
and  as  the  climate  was  unfavorable  to  my  constitution,  it  vma 
thought  my  illness  would  be  severe.  This  I  expected  ;  but  jus  it 
incresused,  clouds  veiled  my  mind,  and  T  enjoyed  little  comfort.  I 
tried  to  pray,  but  my  prayers  seemed  like  a  chattering  noise.  Oc- 
casional flashes  of  light,  only  kept  me  from  sinking.  I  had  often 
thought,  if  laid  on  a  bed  of  sickness  in  a  land  far  from  home,  the 
smiles  of  Ilim  in  whom  I  had  put  my  trust  would  render  even  this 
situation  pleasant,  and  chase  my  woes  away.  But  now  as  my  dis- 
tress increased,  and  the  light  of  God's  countenance  was  withdrawn, 
my  trials  seemed  greater  than  I  could  bear.  I  felt  that  my  soul 
was  wading  through  a  furnace  of  afTliction  ;  I  sought  the  cause,  but 
found  it  not.  I  knew  not  that  T  had  neglected  any  particular  duty, 
or  committed  any  particular  sin,  for  which  I  was  thus  forsaken  of 
tlie  Lord.  In  consequence  of  my  gloomy  state,  sceptical  sugges- 
tions troubled  me ;  and  satan  tempted  me  to  doubt  the  reality  of 
religion,  the  immortality  of  the  soul,  and  even  the  existence  of 
God.  But  the  many  evidences  of  the  divine  authenticity  of  the 
Scriptures,  with  my  own  experience,  wherein  my  soul  had  been 
made  exceeding  joyful  in  circumstances,  temporally,  very  afflictive, 
prevented  these  evil  suggestions  from  taking  any  root  in  my  mind. 
Again,  I  reflected,  that  this  state  is  one  of  trial,  and  in  the  inti- 
mate connection  of  soul  and  body,  it  would  be  strange  indeed,  if  the 
st-ate  of  one  should  not  in  some  measure  affect  the  condition  of  the 
other.  If,  by  trouble  of  mind  the  outer  man  wears  away,  as  of 
(X)nsiunption,  why  should  it  be  incredible  that  disorder  of  body 
should  affect  the  mind  ?  From  these  reflections,  I  resolved  that  a 
happy  state  of  feeling  should  not  be  the  basis  of  my  hope ;  that 
though  my  sight  was  dim,  I  would  still  walk  by  faith.  Yea,  I  said 
in  my  heart,  "  Though  he  slay  me,  yet  will  J  trust  in  him" 

In  a  little  time  afler  my  confinement,  I  became  very  sick,  and 
lost  to  myself.  After  midnight,  brother  Bates  went  several  miles 
for  a  physician,  and  soon  another  was  called.      They  were  both 


'•''li 

1      i  -■ ' 

1  •  n 


■f.l 


■■& 


•"•id 


9fl 

1  iA 


'  K: 


d*f- 


142 


MEMOIIIS    OF 


ilMl 


men  of  skill,  and  very  jittnntivji.  In  about  U-.n  drtys  they  sucreed- 
ed  in  clu'ckiii;,'  the  fever,  unU  1  he;j;jin  to  arn<!nd.  The  family  seem- 
ed to  know  no  weariness  in  tli(;  ahnndarit  eanr  and  kindn<'ss  they 
bestowed  npon  rn(; ;  and  to  {\m  day  the  remumbranoe  of  it  meltB 
my  heart. 

lu  iIh'  latter  part  of  August,  a  <iiiarferly  mec^tinp;  wa'^  to  b<!  or- 
j^anized  in  Norton,  twenly-iive  miles  ilisfant.  Feelinj^  anxious  to 
attend,  I  ventured  to  ride  fiv*!  or  U^j  miles  in  a  day  till  I  reaehed 
th(!  f»laee.  Fourehurehes  united  and  fonncid  thi!  Marion  (jnarterly 
me«'-tinf^.  Threes  of  these  wen;  in  Hij^  Islarnl,  Marion,  and  Nor- 
Um.  The  (luarterly  meetinfj  eontained  two  Elders,  David  I)u<llcy 
tuid  Sanuiel  Hradford,  and  about  oih;  hundred  members.  My  h(!art 
was  {fljul  for  tlu!  good  work  of  the  Lord  in  this  wilderness.  But 
my  short  journcjy  had  been  too  much  for  my  strength,  and  my  fe- 
ver returned ;  so  that  during  the  meeting,  1  did  not  st^iy  in  the  as- 
sembly more  than  two  hours.  In  this  time  1  sat  in  a  ehair,  and 
preaehed  about  an  hour  with  some  freedom.  I  retired  immediate- 
ly from  the  barn  where  the  meeting  was  held,  went  into  a  eham- 
ber,  and  lay  down  on  a  sheet  expanded  on  a  frame,  to  prev(;nt  the 
inconvenience  of  the  heat.  Here  I  continued,  mostly  alone,  pass- 
ing the  time  in  much  restlessness  and  weeping,  till  the  quarterly 
meeting  closed.  Then  I  returned  slowly  to  Marion  county  seat ; 
and  when  I  arrived,  my  strength  was  so  exhausted,  that  I  thought 
I  should  fall  from  my  horse.  Col.  II.  Gorton,  a  brother  and  friend, 
seeing  my  situation,  met  me  a  few  rods  from  his  door,  and  helped 
me  into  his  house,  and  on  to  a  bed.  In  a  few  minutes  a  chill  struck 
me,  my  mouth  and  tongue  became  cold  and  numb,  and  for  a  little 
time  I  was  unable  to  speak.  After  this  I  was  confined  by  what  is 
called  ji  chill  fever,  a  complaint  frequent  in  Ohio,  and  which  often 
proves  fatal.  I  remained  at  brother  Gorton's  about  a  week,  and 
was  attended  by  one  of  my  former  physicians  ;  th  jn  I  went  to  the 
house  of  Elder  Bradford,  and  staid  another  v.eek.  I  endiired 
much  pain  at  both  these  places,  and  frequently  had  turns  of  de- 
rangement ;  but  at  the  close  of  the  second  week,  through  the  bless- 
ing of  God,  my  health  was  measurably  restored.  The  kindness  I 
received  from  these  friends  will  long  be  remembered.  May  Heav- 
en bless  them.  I  had  formed  some  acquaintance  with  Elder  Brad- 
ford in  New  York,  and  tlu;  opportunity  I  now  enjoyed  with  him 
was  comforting. 

About  the  middle  of  September,  I  was  able  to  move  slowly  from 
place  to  place,  and  hold  a  few  meetings.  I  called  to  see  my  phy- 
sicians, and  though  they  did  not  pi'ofess  religion,  they  declined  re- 
ceiving any  reward  for  their  services,  and  seemed  to  take  satisfac- 
tion in  showing  me  these  favors.  O  that  it  may  be  said  to  them 
in  a  coming  day,  "  I  was  sick  and  ye  visited  me.'*     After  this  I  re- 


DAVID    MARKS. 


143 


often 
,  and 
to  the 

ndured 
of  de- 
bles3- 
noss  I 
Ileav- 
Brad- 

.h  him 

y  from 
phy- 
ned  re- 
atisfac- 
o  them 
is  I  re- 


j 


tunuMl  to  Grand  towt\Hliif),  again  commenced  my  school,  and  con- 
tiniird  it  two  weeks. 

l»i  the  early  part  of  Oclohcr,  \H2!>,  I  atteii<led  the  orj^'iiiiizaflon 
of  the  Ohio  yearly  mcctitifi;,  in  ('enter,  a  township  joiniiii;  lii<;  In- 
land. KIders  David  Dudley,  Moses  Dudley,  Mantis  Kilhoiini, 
Samuel  Uriwlford,  and  two  or  three  other  preachers  were  pii'sent. 
Huron,  Mari(m,  and  Miami  (piarferly  nuMtini^s  united ;  and  in  these, 
I  think  tlu're  wer<!  ten  ordaincvl  preachers,  and  thirteen  snudl 
churches.  'Vho  tiumher  of  nuniliers  wjis  not  juscertjiined,  but  pr<»h- 
ahly  did  not  (exceed  three  hundred.  We  enjoye<l  soin(>  r»'freshinj^s 
throu;^h  a  part  of  tin;  ineeiin^;  hut  on  the  Sahhath  it  appeared  to 
bo  a  time  of  mournin};,  especially  amonjj;  the  ]>n'!U'ln!rs.  In  the 
latter  part  of  the  day,  however,  the  i'vvv  Spirit  disjjersed  tlu^  j^loom 
in  some  measure,  and  several  weighty  exliortations  excited  a  d«'- 
gr<H'  of  feeling  it»  the  Jissemhly.  As  the  meeting  was  about  to 
close,  a  great  soh^nnity  i\\\vA  my  soul.  By  faith,  I  saw  the  "  Plant 
of  renown"  spreading  its  tender  branches  over  the  wilderness  of 
the  west  and  south.  It  seemed  as  though  the  future  prosperity  and 
glory  of  the  church  were  instantly  presented  before  my  eyes.  I 
beheld  the  little  praying  bands  scattered  amid  the  plains  and  for- 
ests of  Ohio  from  Lake  Eri(^  to  Ohio  river,  and  west  into  the  des- 
erts of  Indiana,  and  saw  them  worship  in  their  log  cottages.  And 
the  period  seemcid  near,  when  this  little  company,  now  assemble*! 
in  a  barn  to  hold  the  first  yearly  meeting,  should  become  a  great 
peo[)lr'.  I  thought  with  myself,  O  what  will  the  Lord  do  for  them 
in  twenty  years  !  Surely  we  have  rcjison  to  belie\  e  he  will  work 
wonders.  O,  if  Randall  and  Colby  could  have  been  here  to-day, 
and  have  seen  the  white  fields  ready  for  the  harvest,  how  wouUI 
they  have  wept  for  joy.  Twenty  years  from  this  time,  if  the  breth- 
ren remain  steadfast,  and  the  Ohio  yearly  meeting  assemble,  what 
won(l(>rs,  what  glorious  revivals  and  a(hlitions  cfin  they  speak  of  to 
the  praise  of  their  Redeemer.  Then  they  may  look  back  to  this 
day,  and  remember  they  were  but  as  a  handful.  The  meeting  closed 
with  much  solemnity,  and  many  I  believe  went  away  comforted. 

I  had  labored  under  constant  depression  of  mind  since  the  time 
of  my  confinement ;  and  only  at  intervals,  and  even  then  but  for  a 
few  minutes,  was  I  happy.  At  this  meeting,  the  Lord  granted 
some  comfort  to  my  soul ;  but  to  my  sorrow,  I  found  that  my  joy 
departed  immediately  after.  My  days  were  again  solitary,  and 
spent  in  mourning  ;  and  my  prayers  seemed  an  empty  sound.  1 
felt  that  I  had  little  more  work  to  do  for  the  Lord  in  this  i)art  of 
His  vineyard.  A  constant  gloom  continued  to  veil  my  mind,  my 
labors  seemed  more  worthless  than  the  dust,  and  I  could  see  no 
prospect  of  their  being  useful.  One  month  of  the  term  for  which 
I  had  engaged  to  teach  was  yet  to  come,  and  I  concluded  to  ask  a 


'yl\ 


h 


4' 


144 


MEMOIRS    OF 


IM 


dismission,  that  I  might  r(;tum  to  New  York.  This  was  j^anted  ; 
and  in  two  days,  all  my  employers,  with  one  or  two  small  exc<!p- 
tion«,  paid  what  was  due  on  the  tschool  bills.  I  attended  a  few 
meetings  in  the  vicinity  of  my  school,  and  in  neighboring  towns. 
Thick  darkness  seemed  to  cover  mc,  and  I  deeply  sighed  for  barren- 
ness of  soul.  Could  the  trees  on  the  plains  of  Marion  county 
speak,  they  might  tell  the  solitary  hours  I  there  spent  in  sighs  and 
groans. 

About  the  10th  of  October,  182^^  I  bade  my  brethren  and 
friends  farewell.  It  was  a  solemn  parting — and  to  me  a  gloomy 
time.  My  health  was  still  poor,  and  I  was  very  feeble.  A  jour- 
ney of  nearly  five  hundred  miles  lay  before  me,  to  travel  principal- 
ly on  horseback,  amid  the  winds  and  rains  of  autumn.  But  this 
was  nothing  compared  with  the  cheerless  winter  that  chilled  my 
poor  soul.  Sometimes  I  would  try  to  apply  to  my  case  the  words 
of  David :  "  Why  art  thou  cast  doion,  0  my  soul  ?  and  why  art  thou 
disquieted  within  me  ?  Hope  thou  in  God ;  for  I  shall  yet  pj'aise 
him,  loho  is  the  health  of  my  countenance,  and  my  God"  Still  this 
could  not  bring  the  life-giving  presence  of  my  Savior  ;  nor  recjJl 
the  hai)pincss  of  former  days.  I  proceeded  on  my  journey  lo 
Green  Creek  and  York  townships,  a  distance  of  about  fifty  mile«. 
After  resting  some  days  and  holding  a  few  meetings,  I  continued 
my  journey  to  Wayne,  preaching  occasionally  by  the  way.  I  ar- 
rived at  this  town  tiie  first  day  of  November,  gave  notice  for  a 
meeting  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Morse,  and  a  considerable  room  was 
soon  filled.  A  revival  had  lately  gladdened  Zion,  and  if  I  was  cor- 
rectly informed,  all  in  the  assembly,  except  three,  professed  relig- 
ion. Of  this  I  was  ignorant  at  the  time,  and  my  mind  was  led  to 
direct  my  discourse  to  the  unconverted.  I  spoke  from  Prov.  23: 
23  :  "  Buy  the  truth  and  sell  it  not."  From  an  impression,  I  turn- 
ed and  addressed  a  stranger  who  stood  by  my  side,  in  the  follow^ing 
manner  :  "  Young  man,  remember  though  thou  art  now  in  time  to- 
morrow thou  mayest  be  in  eternity ;  though  to-day  thou  art  with 
us  in  the  body,  to-morrow  thou  mayest  be  conversant  with  disem- 
bodied spirits  in  the  eternal  world."  This  man  was  the  only  ma'e 
in  the  assembly  that  had  no  hope  in  Christ.  I  was  informed  that 
he  went  home  quite  serious,  and  made  some  remarks  on  the  youth 
of  the  preacher,  and  the  sermon  he  had  heard,  that  indicated  his 
heart  had  been  touched.  The  next  morning  he  arose  in  like  man- 
ner solemn,  but  soon  commenced  singing  a  song,  apparently  to 
drown  reflection.  This  luid  been  his  usual  manner  when  convic- 
ted, according  to  his  frequent  confessions.  One  of  his  associates 
coming  in  while  he  was  singing,  said  to  him :  "  You  feel  quite  mer- 
ry this  morning?"  lie  replied:  "  Yes — what  is  the  use  of  one's 
dying  before  his  time  comes  ?"     Soon  he  went  to  the  rolling  up  of  a 


DAVID    MARKS. 


145 


le  to- 
with 

lisem- 
mu'  e 
that 

jouth 

td  his 
man- 

[\y  to 
nivic- 

Iciates 
mer- 
1  one's 
of  a 


\o<f  building— continued  chcei*ful  through  the  day,  and  occasional- 
ly sung  songs ;  but  a  little  before  sunset,  a  log  on  which  he  sat  at 
the  top  of  the  building,  began  to  roll.  He  saw  that  he  must  fall, 
yet  being  strong  and  active,  seemed  to  think  he  should  escape  dan- 
ger, and  cried  with  his  usual  cheerfulness,  "  Take  care  boys." 
These  Avere  his  last  Avords ;  for  as  soon  as  he  reached  the  ground 
the  log  fell  on  his  liead.  He  could  neither  speak  nor  move,  but 
looked  wishfully  on  his  friends,  and  died  in  fifteen  minutes.  Thus 
he  found  that  his  time  had  come  "  as  a  thief  in  the  night."  When 
leaving  home  in  the  morning,  he  stopped  a  little  distance  from  the 
door,  in  which  his  wife  was  standing  with  their  only  child,  looked 
at  them  a  minute  in  silence,  then  returning,  kissed  the  child,  and 
left  his  little  family  forever !  But,  ah  !  l.ow  little  did  he  think  he 
had  heard  liis  last  sermon — that  the  last  day  of  his  life  had  come, 
and  the  Judge  was  standing  at  the  door !  May  this  be  a  warning 
to  the  ungodly.  I  visited  the  fatal  spot  immediately,  and  guided 
by  a  bloody  path,  followed  the  body  of  this  unfortunate  youth  to  a 
neighboring  dwelling,  where  with  keen  sympathies  I  witnessed 
the  agonies  of  his  companion  and  numerous  relatives,  who  wept  as 
though  they  had  no  remaining  comfort.  Then  I  said,  "  Man  is 
like  to  vanity :  his  days  are  as  a  shadoio  that  passeth  aioay." 

Nov.  4,  1825,  closed  twenty  years  of  my  life,  and  it  was  a  day 
of  much  reflection  and  solemnity.  As  it  was  the  Avish  of  the  rel- 
atives, I  preached  the  funeral  sermon  of  the  young  man  that  had 
been  called  away  so  suddenly.  A  numerous  congregation  attend- 
ed and  about  thirty  mourners  wept  at  the  grave  of  their  deceased 
friend  ;  while  the  multitude  that  stood  around  dropped  many  a  tear. 
I  never  was  present  on  a  more  impressive  occasion.  "  Blessed  is 
the  man  that '  is  ready  :'  "  for  "  man  knoioeth  not  his  time." 

After  this  I  attended  a  few  meetings  in  these  parts,  and  formed 
some  acquaintance  with  several  brethren  of  the  Wayne  quarterly 
meeting,  which  had  been  just  organized.  The  number  of  mem- 
bers was  small,  yet  there  appeared  to  be  some  humble,  faithful 
souls  among  them.  I  enjoyed  some  interesting  seasons,  yet  gener- 
ally my  spirit  continued  in  bondage,  and  my  labors  stiU  seemed  to 
be  almost  useless.  But  as  I  was  confident  my  commission  had  been 
received  from  the  Lord,  I  dared  not  forbear  to  warn  the  wicked. 
I  continued  my  journey  to  New  York,  and  held  several  meetings 
by  the  way,  still  laboring  under  trials,  and  doubting  whether  I 
should  ever  again  enjoy  the  settled  peace  that  once  blessed  my 
soul.  Yet  the  oath  that  I  made  on  the  day  of  my  espousal,  was 
engi'aven  on  my  heart,  and  I  felt  no  inclination  to  violate  it ;  but 
when  tempted  to  give  up  my  hope,  I  would  say  in  the  language  of 
Peter :  "  Lord,  to  whom  shall  I  go  ?  thou  hast  the  words  of  eter- 
nal life."  At  Hanover,  N.  Y.,  I  took  my  gig  which  I  left  there 
13 


■Him 


■■]'■ 


146 


MEMOIRS    OF 


when  going  to  Oliio,  and  proceeding  on  my  way  homeward,  held  a 
few  meetings  in  the  western  part  of  the  state. 

About  the  first  of  Dec.,  1825,  I  arrived  at  my  father's  in  Juni- 
us, liaving  been  absent  about  fourteen  months,  and  was  received 
affectionately. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


My  Trials  and  Labors  for  seven  months  after  my  return  from 

,    .       .  Ohio. 

>■:-.■:  i« 

My  soul  continued  in  a  furnace  of  afHiction.  My  hours  passed 
in  gloom,  and  my  days  were  numbered  in  much  sorrow.  I  attend- 
ed one  or  two  meetings  in  adjacent  towns,  but  such  heaviness  op- 
pressed me,  that  I  felt  confident  my  labor  was  in  vain.  My  de- 
pression increased,  and  I  dreaded  to  visit  my  brethren,  expecting 
they  would  be  greatly  disappointed  in  me — and  their  disappoint- 
ment I  thought  would  fill  me  with  anguish.  Believing  my  life  was 
of  little  use  to  the  church  or  to  the  world,  and  thinking  it  matter- 
ed little  where  I  spent  my  time,  I  engaged  a  school  in  my  father's 
neighborhood,  and  commenced  teaching  about  the  10th  of  December. 
I  made  stated  appointments  twice  a  week  in  this  vicinity,  and  once 
a  week  in  an  adjacent  neighborhood,  and  occasionally  preached  in 
other  places,  particularly  in  Galen.  Great  darkness  covered  the 
people : — Often  I  went  to  my  appointments  with  a  heavy  heart, 
and  returned  with  the  burden  still  increased.  I  enjoyed  the  socie- 
ty of  my  father's  family,  and  my  three  brothers  attended  the  school. 
These  were  pleasant  temporal  privileges,  but  they  could  not  make 
me  happy  while  my  Savior  hid  his  face,  and  I  could  not  see  sin- 
ners turning  to  God.  In  solitary  places  I  wept,  and  prayed  the 
Lord  once  more  to  dispel  my  darkness  and  shine  into  my  heart ; 
but  still  I  found  no  answer  to  my  petitions.  I  read  the  Lamenta- 
tions of  the  prophet  Jeremiah,  and  applied  such  passages  as  these 
to  my  case :  "  I  am  the  man  that  hath  seen  affliction  by  the  rod  of 
his  wrath.  He  hath  led  me  and  brought  me  into  darkness  but  not 
into  light.  Surely  against  me  is  he  turned ;  he  turneth  his  hand 
against  me  all  the  day.  He  hath  set  me  in  dark  places  as  they 
that  be  dead  of  old.  He  hath  hedged  me  about*  that  I  cannot  get 
out :  He  hath  made  my  chain  heavy.  Also  when  I  cry  and  shout 
he  shutteth  out  my  prayer. — And  I  said.  My  strength  and  ray 
hope  is  perished  from  the  Lord."     Lam.  3:1 — 8,  18.     Still,  in  this 


i 


DAVID  MARKS. 


147 


licld  a 

Juni- 
ccived 


from 


passed 
attend- 
ess  op- 
My  de- 
pecting 
ippoint- 
lile  was 
matter- 
father's 
comber, 
nd  once 
,chcd  in 
Ired  the 
heart, 
e  socie- 
school. 
it  make 
see  sin- 
ed   the 
heart ; 
enta- 
these 
rod  of 
but  not 
is  hand 
IS  they 
not  get 
id  shout 
,nd  my 
in  this 


state  of  affliction,  I  knew  God  was  just  in  all  his  ways,  and  that 
he  would  be  just,  if  for  my  unfaithfulness  and  my  sins,  he  should 
hide  his  face  forever.  Yet  the  Lord  strengthened  me,  so  that  I 
fi'lt  no  inclination  to  abandon  the  cause  of  Christ,  or  yield  my  hope 
in  tlie  promises  of  God:  but  I  did  seriously  think  of  I'ctiring  from 
i  ,  a  public  life ;  for  all  my  preaching  seemed  like  "  sounding  brass, 

or  a  tinkling  cymbal."  I  reviewed  my  experience  and  evidences 
of  acceptance  with  God.  I  could  not  reject  them.  Again  I  exam- 
ined my  evidences  of  having  been  called  to  preach  the  gospel.  I 
could  not  disbelieve.  And  now  what  could  I  do  ?  This  commis- 
sion was  not  "  a  light  thing"  that  I  might  lay  aside  by  my  own  will ; 
and  as  the  mandate,  "  Go  ye — and  preach  the  yospel"  had  not  been 
repealed,  I  dared  make  no  other  conclusion  than  this  ;  that  I  would 
preach  according  to  my  ability,  and  leave  the  event  with  God.  I 
tried  to  content  myself  by  reflecting  on  the  Scripture  that  saith : 
"  No  chastening  for  the  present  seemeth  to  be  joyous,  but  griev- 
ous :  nevertheless,  afterward  it  yieldeth  the  peaceable  fruit  of 
righteousness  unto  them  which  are  exercised  thereby."  And  though 
no  animation  or  joy  should  ever  again  cheer  my  countenance,  I  re- 
solved to  live  at  the  feet  of  my  Savior,  and  I  said  with  the  Psalm 
ist :  "  Whom  have  I  in  heaven  hut  thee  ?  and  there  is  none  upon 
earth  that  I  desire  besides  thee." 

In  January,  1826,  I  left  my  school  to  attend  the  Benton  quarter- 
ly meeting,  held  at  Flint  Creek,  in  Middlesex.  During  my  visit  to 
Ohio,  there  had  been  a  great  revival  in  this  vicinity,  and  nearly 
one  hundred  had  been  baptized  in  the  town  by  Elder  Wire.  I 
expected  the  converts  would  be  generally  present ;  and  should  I 
speak  in  the  meeting,  my  testimony  would  be  cold  and  useless.  So 
I  concluded  to  be  a  disconsolate  spectator,  and  entered  the  crowd- 
ed assembly,  hoping  to  find  a  seat  in  some  corner,  and  pass  unob- 
served. But  immediately  every  eye  was  fixed  on  me,  and  the 
countenances  of  all  seemed  to  tell,  that  they  had  heard  of  "  the 
hoy  preacher'*  in  the  days  of  his  gladness ;  and  that  now  they  ex- 
pected to  hear  for  themselves.  I  thought  within  myself,  "Alas! 
you  will  he  disappointed — and  this  assembly  will  spy  out  my  bar- 
renness." The  preacher  who  was  addressing  the  people,  stopped 
and  invited  me  to  take  a  seat  with  the  ministers.  I  was  fille<l  with 
confusion,  hid  my  face,  and  wept  on  account  of  the  poverty  of  my 
soul.  After  becoming  a  little  composed,  I  looked  around  on  the 
assembly,  and  saw  perhaps  one  hundred  hapj)y  converts.  They 
were  singing  one  of  the  songs  of  Zion — heaven  seemed  to  shine  in 
their  countenances — and  for  a  few  minutes,  my  soul  was  melted 
and  charmed  with  the  beautiful  sight.  After  this  they  spoke  in 
quick  succession  and  with  much  power ;  but  it  reminded  me  of  a 
touching  contrast — the  difference  between  their  state  and  mine. 


m 


Iji 


u 


■'J  til 


I 


n 


& 


rs 


\ 


148 


MEMOIllS   OF 


Again  my  poverty  pressed  upon  me,  as  a  burden  that  was  insup- 
portable, and  I  wept  as  though  my  tears  were  a  fountain.  At 
length  I  arose  and  began  to  speak ; — my  heart  broke — and,  "  Glo- 
ry to  God,"  in  this  very  hour  the  winds  of  Heaven  began  to  blow 
on  my  soul.  The  clouds  that  had  covered  me  five  months,  now 
fled  away.  The  glory  of  God  beamed  upon  me,  and  again  I  tast- 
ed the  happhiess  that  had  formerly  gladdened  my  spirit.  O,  how 
easy  it  was  to  speak  the  word  of  the  Lord.  A  few  hours  after 
this,  I  willingly  accepted  an  invitation  to  preach.  It  seemed  as 
though  all  I  had  to  do  was  to  receive  the  word  immediately  from 
God,  and  speak  it  to  the  people.  The  assembly  was  greatly  melt- 
ed, and  I  felt  myself  exceediiigly  abased  and  humbled  before  God. 
His  presence  was  glorious  and  awful.  After  this,  many  spoke,  and 
we  enjoyed  a  refreshing  time.  Now  it  seemed  as  though  I  was  in 
a  new  world ;  and  my  joy  for  this  deliverance  was  inexpressible. 

Why  I  had  been  thus  forsaken  of  the  Lord,  had  been  a  query 
which  I  was  unable  to  solve.  But  now  it  appeared  to  me  that 
God  had  especially  designed  this  visitation  for  the  trial  of  my  faith, 
and  to  strengthen  others.  As  Whitfield  says,  "  Ministers  should 
be  tempted  in  all  things  like  unto  theu*  brethren,  that  they  may  be 
able  experimentally  to  succor  those  that  are  tempted."  Again,  I 
found  that  this  affliction  had  worked  for  my  good,  in  that  it  had 
weaned  me  from  the  world,  taught  me  to  feel  my  dependence  on 
God,  and  had  humbled  my  pride. 

On  the  Sabbath,  meeting  was  appointed  in  two  places,  but  the 
heart  of  the  people  was  together,  and  they  crowded  into  one  assem- 
bly. This  was  a  day  of  Emmanuel's  power,  and  a  time  of  great 
joy.  Again  it  fell  to  my  lot  to  speak  to  the  people,  and  I  feared 
that  my  clouds  would  return ;  but  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  give  me 
as  much  freedom  as  I  enjoyed  the  day  before,  and  again,  in  my 
own  sight,  I  sunk  down  as  nothing  before  the  Lord.  O  blessed  be 
his  name,  for  his  great  mercy  to  an  unworthy  child.  After 
meeting,  I  returned  to  my  school  happy  in  God.  Now  I  regretted 
that  I  had  engaged  the  school,  for  the  Lord's  harvest  appeared  in- 
viting, and  I  wished  to  be  laboring  therein.  In  my  public  commu- 
nications, however,  the  Spirit  gave  me  freedom,  and  I  enjoyed 
much  peace  in  opening  and  closing  my  school  by  prayer,  and  in 
frequently  speaking  to  my  scholars. 

In  the  early  part  of  March,  I  was  called  to  sit  on  a  council  of 
business  m  Sodus,  appointed  by  the  Benton  quarterly  meeting. 
The  council  proposed  to  set  me  apart  to  the  work  whereunto  the 
Lord  had  called  me.  This  was  unexpected.  Considering  my 
youth,  and  that  the  request  had  not  been  presented  by  the  church 
of  which  I  was  a  member,  I  was  doubtful  respecting  my  duty. 
But  after  making  supplication  to  God  for  direction,  the  minister  of 


*«* 


^ifeSr 


ncil  of 
eeling. 
nto  the 
ng  my 
church 
duty, 
ister  of 


DAVID    MARKS. 


149 


the  church  in  Junius  being  present,  I  consented  to  their  proposal 
on  the  oth  of  March,  182G.  After  my  return  to  Junius,  the  church 
accepted  my  new  credentials  and  gave  me  a  letter  accordingly. 
Shortly  afterward,  on  the  day  appointed  for  communion  in  Junius, 
it  unexpectedly  fell  to  my  lot  to  break  bread  to  the  church.  This 
being  a  duty  that  had  not  before  devolved  on  me,  the  cross  was 
considerable,  and  I  cried  to  the  Lord  for  assistance.  Language 
cannot  describe  how  unworthy  I  felt  to  officiate  in  the  ordinances 
of  God's  house,  particularly  in  the  holy  supper.  "With  a  trembling 
hand  I  moved  forward  to  handle  the  symbols  of  my  dear  Savior's 
broken  body,  and  in  doing  this  my  soul  was  strengthened  and  bless- 
ed. God's  presence  was  in  the  meeting,  and  we  had  the  witness 
that  our  fellowship  was  with  the  Father,  and  with  his  Son  Jesus 
Christ. 

About  the  15th  of  March,  I  closed  my  school,  and  to  some  of 
my  scholars,  as  well  as  myself,  it  was  a  solemn  day.  I  looked  on 
the  children  that  had  been  three  months  under  my  care,  and  re- 
flected on  the  change  that  twenty  years  would  make.  How  many 
would  then  be  in  the  tomb — and  how  many  of  those  who  should 
survive  would  be  scattered.  I  prayed  that  they  might  be  prepar- 
ed for  the  scenes  of  the  future.  Solemn  was  the  thought,  that  my 
words  and  examples  bad  made  impressions,  that  would  be  remem- 
bered by  them  long  after  I  should  be  laid  in  the  grave.  So,  I 
prayed  that  wherein  I  had  erred,  the  Lord  would  forgive  ;  and  that 
those  deeds  which  I  had  wrought  in  the  light  of  God,  might  be  en- 
graven on  their  hearts,  and  instrumental  of  good  to  their  souls. 
Two  of  my  scholars  had  for  some  time  appeared  serious,  and  though 
they  did  not  as  yet  submit  to  the  cross,  I  hoped  these  impressions 
would  terminate  in  their  reconciliation  to  God. 

Li  the  latter  pai*t  of  the  month,  I  went  to  Ontario,  Penfield,  and 
Perinton,  and  enjoyed  some  refreshing  meetings  with  the  churches 
in  these  towns.  In  some  instances  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shone 
round  about  us.  We  witnessed  a  few  cases  of  awakening,  and 
conviction  followed  a  small  number  till  they  were  converted.. 
While  I  was  in  these  towns  several  communicated  liberally  to  my 
temporal  necessities. 

After  holding  meetings  in  several  other  towns,  I  returned  to  Juni- 
us, preached  a  few  times,  and  then,  in  company  with  my  eldest 
brother,  visited  my  sister  in  Ithaca.  Here  I  parted  with  my  broth- 
er, who  was  to  start  immediately  for  Michigan.  We  had  spent  tlie 
winter  together,  and  the  reflection  that  probably  we  should  never 
enjoy  each  other's  society  in  a  like  opportunity,  increased  the  pain- 
ful interest  of  this  occasion.  As  my  brother  went  out  of  my  sight, 
I  thought  within  myself,  "  thus  children  soon  grow  up  into  life,  and 
like  the  young  birds  of  the  nest,  are  scattered  in  the  world." 
13* 


]:i.ff^ 


1  '  t*  '"*  '., 


^  I'i 


X. 


150 


MEMOIRS    OF 


After  iu'eacliin;^  at  Ithaca,  I  visited  several  otlier  towns  within 
the  limits  of  the  Owego  quarterly  meeting,  preached  the  word  to 
many  congregations,  and  enjoyed  the  witness  that  my  labor  was  not 
in  vain  in  the  Lord.  I  held  two  meetings  hi  the  town  of  Ithaca,  at 
the  house  of  Esq.  Dean,  about  three  mile?  from  the  village.  A 
revival  had  just  gladdened  the  liearts  of  many  in  this  vichiity,  and 
these  meetings  were  blessed  with  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  One 
desired  baptism.  This  ordinance  I  had  never  yet  administered. 
A  meeting  for  the  ])urpose  was  appointed  on  the  9th  of  May,  1826. 
The  day  was  pleasant  and  the  earth  was  arrayed  in  all  the  loveli- 
ness of  spring.  Previous  to  the  hour  appointed,  I  retired  to  a  beau- 
tiful pine  grove,  and  spent  a  little  time  entreating  the  Lord  to  stand 
by  me  this  day  and  strengthen  me  for  the  solemn  work  before  me. 
I  received  much  comfort,  and  went  to  the  meeting  very  happy. 
The  Lord  enabled  me  to  speak  with  much  boldness,  and  caused  his 
Spirit  to  move  on  the  assembly.  The  candidate  related  her  expe- 
rience, and  received  the  approbation  of  the  brethren ;  then  we 
walked  to  the  water,  and  with  feelings  of  deep  self-abasement,  I 
administered  the  ordinance,  and  was  greatly  blessed. 

From  Ithaca  I  passed  between  the  Cayuga  and  Seneca  lakes, 
crossed  the  latter  from  Ovid  to  Milo,  and  after  holding  several 
meetings  in  different  towns  I  attended  the  Benton  quarterly  meet- 
ing in  Middlesex,  on  the  12th  and  IStli  of  May,  182G.  The  as- 
sembly was  large;  many  brethren  and  converts  were  present,  and 
we  were  favored  with  a  heavenly  season.  At  this  meeting,  I  as- 
sisted in  ordaining  a  brother  to  the  work  of  an  evangelist.  After 
this  I  visited  the  brethren  in  Groveland  and  Genesco,  and  held  a 
few  meetings ;  then  attended  the  Bethany  quarterly  meeting  at  Ladd's 
corner  in  Clarkson,  May  20  and  21.  I  think  twelve  preachers  at- 
tended ;  a  large  number  of  brethren  were  present,  and  a  congi*ega- 
tion  of  about  one  thousand  people.  The  preaching  was  interest- 
ing, and  the  season  profitable ;  but  to  me  it  was  a  time  of  ti*ial. 
Thinking  it  my  duty  to  address  the  people,  I  named  a  text  and 
proceeded  for  a  time  with  some  embarrassment.  Presently  a  con- 
fusion in  the  meeting,  and  the  circumstance  of  several  leaving  the 
assembly,  increased  my  difficulty  ;  the  enemy  took  advantage,  and 
I  feared  that  I  had  mistaken  duty.  From  the  restless  state  of  the 
congregation,  I  supposed  the  people  did  not  wish  to  hear  me — my 
spirit  sunk,  and  before  my  discourse  was  half  finished  I  took  my 
seat.  The  information  was  given  me,  that  the  confusion  in  the  as- 
sembly had  been  occasioned  by  a  man  who  was  intoxicated ;  yet 
my  conflict  became  great.  I  doubted  whether  the  Lord  had  ever 
called  me  to  preach — and  my  trial  seemed  gi'eater  than  I  could 
bear.  As  I  went  from  the  meeting,  I  vented  my  grief  in  bitter 
weeping,  yet  this  did  not  assuage  the  sorrow  that  filled  my  bosom. 


.«  ., 


DAVID    MARKS. 


151 


Klder  Jenkins  tried  to  comfort  me,  but  I  replied,  '*  Such  is  my  bar- 
renness that  I  cannot  preacli :  I  would  be  Avilling  to  preueh,  if  my 
labors  could  be  instrumental  of  the  conversion  of  any  souls,  or  of 
any  good  to  Zion;  but  they  arc  che.'iper  than  the  dust,  and  I  can- 
not think  it  is  my  duty  to  attempt  to  preach,  while  so  little  good, 
attends  my  efforts."  He  replied,  "  Brother  Marks,  you  do  not 
know  what  good  may  arise  from  your  labors,  though  now  you  may 
see  no  fruits.  God  has  commanded  you  to  preach,  and  you  nnisl 
preach,  or  be  damned."  His  remark  had  no  effect  to  relieve  me  of 
my  burden.  I  went  to  a  wood,  and  laid  myself  on  the  £,round  far 
from  the  hearing  of  any,  and  there  for  a  long  time,  gave  vent  to 
my  anguish.  My  life  appeared  to  me  useless,  and  I  thought  I 
should  hardly  again  desire  to  see  the  face  of  man.  But  after  con- 
sidering the  subject,  and  not  being  able  to  persuade  myself  that 
God  had  not  called  me  to  labor  in  his  vineyard,  I  thought  if  the 
Lord  would  hide  me  in  the  grave,  this  would  be  pleasant.  Yet  as 
I  saw  no  alternative,  I  resolved  to  cast  my  care  on  Jesus,  and  sub- 
mit to  my  duty  amid  all  my  i)Overty  of  soul.  When  the  dews  of 
the  evening  began  to  fall,  I  returned  pensive  to  the  house  of  a 
friend,  where  some  dear  brethren  endeavored  to  persuade  me  that 
this  fiery  trial  would  only  purify  me,  and  fit  me  for  greater  enjoy- 
ment and  usefulness.  A  faint  hope  that  this  might  be  the  effect, 
caused  my  sorrow  gi'adually  to  subside.  I  had  an  appointment 
next  morning  in  a  neighborhood  called  Cook's  settlement,  and  ther<3 
preached  the  remaining  part  of  my  discourse  that  was  left  unfin- 
ished at  the  quarterly  meeting.  The  Lord  unveiled  the  beauties 
of  his  face,  gave  me  his  free  Spirit,  and  accompanied  the  word  to 
the  heart  of  the  hearers.  My  late  trials  vanished  like  dew  before 
the  sun,  and  my  peace  became  like  the  flowing  of  a  gentle  river. 

Leaving  Clarkson,  I  preached  a  few  times  in  Grovelaiul,  and  about 
the  last  of  May  held  several  meetings  in  North  Penfield.  In 
some  of  these,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  was  manifested  gloriously, 
the  children  of  the  King  were  made  happy,  and  some  of  them 
shouted  for  joy.  On  the  fourth  of  June,  after  meeting,  we  resort- 
ed to  a  beautifui  beach  on  the  shore  of  lake  Ontario,  to  attend  the 
ordinance  of  baptism.  After  prayer  the  brethren  sung  a  hymn, 
.nnd  were  gi*eatly  animated  by  the  good  Spirit.  I  then  k  d  the  con- 
vert into  very  clear  water,  and  my  soul  enjoyed  a  great  blessing  in 
the  perfonnance  of  this  duty.  As  Ave  "  came  up  out  of  the  water," 
the  candidate  was  very  happy  and  praised  the  Lord  aloud.  After 
this,  some  Avere  awakened  in  our  meetings  to  seek  the  Lord,  and 
a  small  number  professed  to  find  "  the  pearl  of  great  price." 

Near  the  middle  of  June,  I  attended  a  general  meeting  of  the 
Christian  order  in  Mendon.  Here  I  heard  Elder  Capron  preach, 
that  the  destruction  Avith  Avhich  the  Avicked  shall  be  punished,  Avill 


I 


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152  MEMOIRS    OP 

efteet  nn  end  of  their  being.  Another  minister,  who  hsul  come 
from  the  south,  preached,  that  "  we  are  not  to  be  forgiven  for 
Christ's  sake."  1  was  atlaclied  to  tliis  denomination,  because  I  be- 
lieved them  to  be  an  humWe,  Christian  |)eoi)le,  whom  tlie  Lord  had 
blessed  to  the  conversion  of  many.  As  a  i)eo[)le,  tliey  liad  ever 
treated  me  with  Cliristian  affection,  and  I  had  expected  to  find 
food  to  my  soul  in  this  meeting.  IJut  by  hearing  these  doctrines 
preached,  and  argued  without  contradiction,  my  mind  was  brought 
into  a  trial.  I  conversed  with  some  of  the  [)reacher8,  and  objected 
to  these  ideas,  supposing  they  were  not  generally  approved  by  the 
denomination;  and  remarked,  that  1  had  expected  some  of  the 
preachers  would  publicly  oppose  them.  One  of  the  ministers  re- 
plied, "  Brother  Marks,  I  will  tell  you  jdainly,  that  Ido  not  believe 
God  loill  fry  the  wicked  eternally  in  hell"  I  was  shocked  by  the 
expression,  and  this  representation  of  the  Bible  doctrine,  that  the 
wicked  ^^  shall  be  cast  into  the  lake  of  Jire."  I  asked  him  whether 
he  believed  the  doctrine  of  annihilation,  or  of  restoration  ?  He 
declined  giving  me  any  answer,  except  saying,  that  he  believed  all 
the  Bible  taught  on  this  subject.  Some  of  the  preachers  that  were 
present,  however,  disapproved  of  these  sentiments.  But  what 
created  the  greatest  trial,  was,  the  remark  that  we  were  not  to  be 
forgiven  for  Christ's  sake,  together  with  the  arguments  that  accom- 
panied it.  If  I  understood  the  doctrine  of  this  sermon,  it  was,  that 
nothing  had  been  merited  by  the  sufferings  of  Christ  in  behalf  of 
sinners — and  that  God,  the  Father,  pardons  men,  not  by  virtue 
of  any  atonement  made  by  Christ — ^but  merely  because  the  siimer 
repents  and  God  is  good.  By  this  doctrine,  it  appeared  that  Christ 
had  acted  only  by  a  delegated  power,  and  that  he  had  done  nothing 
more  for  the  salvation  of  men,  than  any  other  prophet,  except  that 
he  was  the  mediator  of  a  greater  dispensation.  From  these  ideas, 
the  following  queries  were  suggested :  '■  If  Jesus  be  not  the  true 
God,  why  should  w^e  worship  him  ?  Why  should  the  angels  worship 
l»im  ?  Why  should  God  give  directions  that  any  other  being  than 
himself  should  be  worshipped  ?  Why  should  the  Father  require 
tliat  Jesus  should  be  worshipped  because  God  hath  worked  by  him, 
rather  than  that  Moses  should  be  w^orshipped,  because  God  wrought 
wonders  by  him  ?"  After  reflecting  a  little  while  on  these  queries, 
this  Scripture,  like  Sinai's  thunder,  came  to  my  mind :  "  Tliou  shalt 
worsliip  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  Him  only  shalt  thou  serve."  Matt. 
4:10.  At  this  instant,  all  nature  seemed  to  declare  the  inconsis- 
tency of  worshipping,  or  of  giving  divine  honors  to  any  other  be- 
ing, than  " the  only  living  and  true  God"  It  seemed  to  me,  if 
Jesus  be  not  God,  and  yet  have  divine  honors  given  him,  because 
of  his  high  mission,  on  the  same  principle,  all  the  prophets,  apos- 
tles, and  persons  sent  of  God,  should  also  receive  divine  honors, 


DAVID    MARKS. 


153 


quire 
him, 


proportionate  to  the  extent  of  their  mission.  Notwithstandin;» 
these  reflections,  I  knew  not  what  to  believe  of  Jesus  Christ.  For 
the  Unitarian  arguments  had  so  influenced  my  belief,  and  so 
formed  tiie  connection  of  my  thoughts,  that  1  supposed  the  doc- 
trine that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  true  God,  could  not  be  proved  from 
the  Scriptures.  Jndeed,  to  this  sentiment,  1  thought  there  were 
unanswerable  objections.  On  the  other  hand,  I  could  see  no  j)ro- 
priety  in  worshipping  any  being  except  the  true  God.  And  on 
this  principle,  the  Scriptures  now  appeared  to  be  involved  in  great 
obscurity. 

"When  Uiiitnriaii  tmheliel',  I  think, 

Took  hold  or  Peter,  he  began  to  nink; 

Our  Lord,  as  if  surprised  at  this,  cried  out, 

'O,  thou  of  little  faith,  why  didHt  thou  doubt  ." 

Let  this  reproof  nutlicu  fur  every  one 

That  doubts  the  power  of  God's  beloved  Son." 

I  was  now  like  a  ship  without  mast  or  helm,  committed  to  the 
merciless  waves.  At  this  time  I  had  appointments  to  preach  in 
Penfield,  Perinton,  and  in  other  towns.  But  how  could  I  meet 
them?  I  knew  not  what  to  preach,  nor  what  to  believe  !  I  attend- 
ed them,  however,  and  thought  myself  safe  in  restricting  my  re- 
marks on  this  subject  to  the  language  of  the  Scriptures,  though 
their  meaning  to  me  was  obscure.  I  read  the  Bible  day  and  night, 
and  was  much  in  secret  prayer.  But  while  I  prayed,  awful  doubts 
troubled  me,  and  great  darkness  veiled  my  mind,  so  that  like  the 
darkness  of  Egypt,  I  thought  it  could  be  felt. 

Infidelity  had  no  charms.  But  alas  !  I  saw  no  way  to  avoid  its 
principles,  unless  I  could  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  truly  God. 
My  whole  soul  could  but  shrink  from  the  idea  of  two  gods — the 
Father,  the  only  living  and  true  God,  and  my  Savior  consequently 
a  dead  and  false  god !  But  how  could  two  persons  he  one  being  ? 
Ahis !  my  difficulties  v/ere  very  serious,  and  I  feared,  lest  they 
should  foi'ce  me  to  infid^ty.  I  wished,  unbiassed  by  the  prejudi- 
ces of  education,  to  believe  and  know  the  truth.  I  resolved  to 
cease  preaching,  unless  I  could  discern  the  truth  of  the  gospel.  I 
could  see  no  way  to  escape  the  gloomj^  forebodings  of  infidelity : — 
I  regretted  that  I  had  received  ordination.  I  remembered  that  the 
council  seemed  to  have  some  hesitancy,  because  my  sentiments 
with  regard  to  the  character  of  Christ  were  not  sufficiently  settled ; 
but  considering  my  youth  as  an  apology,  they  concluded  to  lay 
hands  on  me,  believing  I  would  become  established  in  the  truth. 
It  now  seemed  that  I  should  disappoint  their  hopes.  Again  I  recol- 
lected the  many  souls  that  I  had  seen  converted, — the  happy  sea- 
sons I  had  enjoyed  with  the  saints, — and  I  thought,  how  can  I 
wound  those  kind  friends  ?  how  can  I  disappoint  the  hopes  of  my 
brethren  ? — and  can  I  bid  such  happy  scenes  an  eternal  farewell  ? 


-I  y? 


% 


^^ 


■v^av^p 


151 


MEMOIRS    OF 


Yet,  I  said  vvitliin  myself,  1  cannot  b<^  a  liyi)Ocrit(' — and  if  Heaven 
do  not  remove  these  doubts,  and  open  the  way  before  me,  I  must — 
I  will  retire  from  the  eluireh.  ]lut  llien,  idas  !  how  ciin  I  endure 
the  i)resence  of  my  Christian  friends !  If  this  slould  be  my  vm- 
happy  eondition,  I  will  leave  this  land — hide  myself  in  the  wilder- 
ness of  the  west,  and  there  dwell  in  obscurity  till  death.  Now  the 
gloom  of  infidelity  rushed  upon  me,  like  an  overwhelming  flood. 
AVhat !  no  Savior  ? — No  sure  guide ! — Life  a  scene  of  sorrow ! — 
Death  an  eternal  sleep  i         *****         * 

From  the  evidences  of  Christianity,  and  from  my  own  experi- 
ence, I  could  find  nothing  to  confirm  an  unballowed  doubt.  My 
trials  originated  solely  from  my  Unitarian  views  of  the  character 
of  Christ.  I  opened  my  mind  to  brother  Thomas  Parker,  a 
preacher  of  our  connexion  in  Perinton.  He  tried  to  encourage 
and  strengtlien  me ;  and,  as  he  lias  since  told  me,  after  we  separa- 
ted, he  went  into  a  wood  and  prayed  a  long  time  with  many  tears, 
that  I  might  be  saved  from  the  snare  of  infidelity.  I  attended  my 
previons  appointments,  gave  out  no  more,  and  doubted  whether  I 
should  ever  attempt  to  preach  again.  I  continued  to  sefirch  the 
Scriptures,  and  to  pray  the  Lord  for  deliverance.  But  my  way 
was  all  closed  up,  and  I  considered  much  on  the  manner  in  which 
I  might  retire  from  a  public  life.  I  thought,  hov/ever,  before  I 
made  any  new  conclusions,  I  would  visit  Elder  J.  N.  Hinckley, 
and  lay  my  case  before  him.  He  had  been  an  atheist  for  eight 
years  previous  to  his  conversion,  and  I  looked  to  him  for  counsel 
as  to  a  father  in  Zion.  Aft;er  telling  him  all  my  doubts,  he  said, 
"  Brother  Marks,  you  study  too  much,  you  travel  too  much,  and 
you  preach  too  much.  The  mind  is  as  easily  wearied  as  the  body ; 
and  yours  is  so  much  wearied,  that  you  know  not  what  you  are,  or 
where  you  are.  By  abstinence,  the  perception  of  the  miud  is 
quickened,  and  you  must  moderate  till  you  become  rested  and 
calm."  He  then  took  me  to  his  mills,  fields,  &c.,  and  conversed 
freely  on  many  subjects,  but  declined  saying  any  thing  on  the  sub- 
ject, which  for  two  weeks  had  engrossed  my  whole  attention.  Af- 
ter passing  the  greater  part  of  a  day  in  this  manner,  he  took  me  to 
a  room  alone  with  him,  and  taking  his  Bible,  asked  me  if  I  would 
believe  Jesus  Christ  to  be  God,  provided  he  would  prove  that  he 
created  the  world  ?  Without  hesitation,  I  answered  in  the  affirma- 
tive ;  but  being  prepossessed  with  the  Unitarian  argument,  that 
the  Father  made  the  world  by  Christ,  as  an  agent  only,  I  did  not 
expect  the  proof  proposed.  He  began  to  read  the  first  chapter  of 
Paul's  epistle  to  the  Hebrews.  I  had  committed  this  chapter  to 
memory,  and  thinking  all  the  ideas  it  contained  had  been  previous- 
considered,  I  supposed  that  neither  the  8th  and  9th  verses, 


Ij 


Thy 


throne,  O  God,  is  for  ever  and  ever,"  &c.,  nor  any  part  of  the  chap- 


DAVID   MARKS. 


155 


ter,  could  nffoot  my  mind.  But  whon  ho  onmo  to  tho  tonth  verso, 
where  the  Fatlier  still  addresses  the  Son,  he  put  his  liufrcr  on  it, 
and  read  with  enipluusis,  "  Aatf  thou,  Lord,  in  the  f)<'f/i)ittin(/  h(tst 
laid  the  Jotindation  of  the  earth,  and  the  heavens  ((re  the  uun'ks  of 
thy  hands."  Before  he  had  coneluded  the  readinj;  ot'  this  sentence, 
cold  chills  h(><^an  to  pass  over  me — and  liurstinjif  into  tears',  like  un- 
believing Thomas,  I  exclaimed  within  myself,  "  J^  Lord  and  my 
Godr 

From  this  moment,  faith  began  to  revive  in  my  soul.  Elder 
Hinckley  now  remarked  on  the  objection  which  I  had  presented, 
vi/.,  that  "  the  Son  of  God  could  not  be  the  Father,  or  God  him- 
self. Said  he,  "  A  river  proceeding  from  a  lake  cannot  be  called 
the  lake  itself,  yet  the  stream  may  be  called  water,  and  the  fountain 
water ;  and  one  is  as  truly  water  as  the  other,  because  the  sub- 
stance in  the  two  bodies  is  the  same.  So,  a  son  of  man  receives 
from  the  psirent  a  perfect  human  nature,  the  entire  nature  of  his 
species  ; — ^yet  this  makes  not  another  nature,  nor  another  species  of 
being;  but  the  nature  and  species  in  the  father  and  in  the  son  arc 
the  same,  though  in  two  persons.  In  like  manner,  '  the  only  beyot- 
ten  of  the  Father'  possesses  the  nature  of  the  Father,  inherent  and 
entire  ;  and  this  nature,  or  divine  substance  of  the  Son,  is  as  just- 
ly called  God,  as  the  divine  fountain  from  which  it  proceeded."  It 
might  be  improper  here  to  relate  the  chain  of  reflections  in  full, 
and  the  passages  of  Scripture  that  raised  me  from  the  borders  of 
infidelity.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  tenth  verse  of  the  first  chap- 
ter of  Hebrews,  commenced  my  convincement ;  and  that  by  a 
close  examination  of  the  Scriptures,  my  faith  increased,  and  I  was 
brought  firmly  to  believe  that  Jesus  is  truly  "  God  with  us"  And 
to  this  day  I  have  never  doubted  in  saying  of  Him,  "  This  is  the 
true  God,  and  eternal  life."     1  John  5:20.* 

After  this  I  related  to  Elder  Elijah  Shaw,  a  preacher  of  the 
Christian  order,  the  particulars  of  my  convincement,  that  Jesus  our 
Savior,  is  as  truly  God  as  is  the  Father.  He  replied,  "  "When  you 
became  established  in  this  sentiment,  you  became  established  in  a 
blessed  good  sentiment." 

I  now  returned  to  Penfield  and  Perinton,  greatly  comforted,  and 
enjoyed  some  favored  seasons  in  preaching  the  Lord  Jesus,  as  the 
only  "  name  under  heaven  given  among  men,  whereby  we  must  be 
saved." 


■^-Ci 


■\  r;M£ 


*  When  1  attended  the  New  Hampshire  yearly  meeting  at  Weare,  in  the  year  1P24,  I 
heard  Elder  Enoch  Place  preach  on  the  character  of  Christ.  The  doctrine  dintilled  like 
the  dew,  and  I  vvac  greatly  delighted  till  I  heard  his  concluding  sentence,  "This  is  the 
eternal  God,  and  besides  Him  there  is  no  Savior."  This  sentence  damped  my  joy,  and 
caused  cold  chills  to  pass  over  me  ;  yet  at  (his  instant  1  observed  the  assembly  dropped 
as  it  were  a  flood  of  tears;  and  that  which  so  chilled  my  feelings,  was  sanctioned  by 
the  sound  of  "  Amen,"  from  miiny  voices.  But  since  the  time  I  cried  of  my  Savior  with 
unbelieving  Thomas,  "  My  Lord  and  my  God,"  this  doctrine  has  been  sweet  to  my  eoul. 


156 


MEMOIRS    OF 


idl 


11  i 


itii^i 


CIIAPTEIl  XV. 

Particulars  of  tny  Lahors  from  July,  182G,  to  September,  1827. 

Tn  July,  1820,  I  spent  8(!vcral  weeks  in  Ontario,  and  preuelietl  in 
(liflTerent  nei;^liborli()(Kls.  I  luul  the  satisfiietion  of  seeinj;  frecjiient 
instanees  of  conviction,  and  was  often  filled  with  joy,  while  I  saw 
the  saints  happy,  and  sometimes  heard  sinners  cry  for  mercy. 
Amonpj  those  tliat  were  awakened,  was  an  interesting  yonng  man, 
the  son  of  a  (Quaker,*  and  three  yonng  ladlen,  tluit  were  scIkkjI 
teachers.  They  were  the  first  that  |)nl)licly  confessed  their  desire 
to  find  Jesus.  These  and  several  others  were  soon  hroiijiht  into 
liberty,  and  rejoiced  to  take  the  cross  and  follow  Christ.  Sabbath, 
July  23,  I  had  an  appointment  in  the  north  part  of  Ontario  for 
ba{)tism.  The  Lord  gave  me  frecfdom,  and  many  appeare<l  quite 
solemn.  The  wind  having  raised  the  waves  on  lake  Ontario,  so 
tliat  baptism  could  not  be  attended  to  in  this  place,  we  proceeded 
four  or  five  miles  west,  to  an  inlet,  where  1  baptized  two.  As  I 
came  out  of  the  water,  I  was  very  happy,  and  began  to  exhort  a 
young  man  that  was  a  llniversalist,  to  repent  and  believe  in  Chnst. 
His  reply  only  evinced  his  impenitence,  and  showed  how  little  liis 
doctrine  influenced  him  to  "^//e  fear  of  the  Lord." 

In  the  latter  part  of  July,  I  preached  in  several  towns  west  of 
Rochester,  and  in  the  early  part  of  Aug.  went  east  as  far  as  Juni- 
us, and  preached  in  many  places.  I  also  visited  several  churches 
of  the  Benton  quarterly  meeting,  and  attended  the  August  term  of 
said  meeting,  which  was  held  in  Italy.  A  large  number  of  people 
and  brethren  convened  in  a  pleasant  grove.  The  preaching  was 
spiritual,  and  many  said  it  was  one  of  the  best  quarterly  meetings 
they  ever  attended.  I  never  shall  forget  how  solemn  my  soul  felt 
while  preaching  the  word,  neither  how  some  shouted,  that  I  thought 
would  not  do  thus  in  a  public  assembly.  Still  my  heart  said, 
^^  Let  the  inhabitants  of  the  Hock  sing;  let  them  shout."  During 
three  weeks  following  this  meeting,  I  visited  several  churches, 
preached  in  different  towns,  and  enjoyed  some  refreshing  sea- 
sons. 

August  26  and  27,  1826, 1  attended  the  sixth  session  of  the  Hol- 
land Purchase  yearly  meeting,  held  in  Ontario.  The  Ontario 
quarterly  meeting,  which  had  been  organized  from  the  Benton 
quarterly  meeting  in  the  autumn  previous,  was  at  this  time  receiv- 
ed into  the  yearly  meeting.  It  contained  eight  churches,  five  or- 
dained preachers,  and  about  one  hundred  members.     At  this  meet- 


*  This  young  man  subsequently  became  a  userul  minister. 


felt 
gl.t 
Slid, 
ing 
:;hes, 
sca- 

lol- 
ario 
nton 

eiv- 
or- 
leet- 


DAVID    MARKJ. 


157 


iiig  I  first  saw  brotlirr  Tlioinas  Iluckins,  fnnn  Loiulon,  I'lipor 
C'hiuuIu.  lie  mine  u  disttince  of  two  liiiiulred  uiul  fifty  iuile.s  to 
iittciul  tliis  iiu'etiiig,  with  u  icqiust  for  me  to  visit  that  province. 
At  this  lime  there  was  hut  one;  Free-will  Baptist  elnireh  in  I'pix'i* 
Canada.  This  was  situated  in  Dunwieh,  out;  hinidred  and  fifty 
miles  west  from  Nia<^ara  river.  Several  years  a;;o,  brother  Ilnek- 
ins,  with  two  or  three  families  of  Free-will  IJsiptists,  removed  from 
New  Hampshire  and  Lower  Canada,  into  this  town.  For  some 
years  they  endeavored  to  content  themselves  by  enjoyinj^  n"li;jrious 
privile;i;es  with  other  denominati(ms  ;  but  not  finding  with  them 
that  liberty  which  they  wi^hed  to  enjoy,  about  eight  persons,  for 
the  space  of  many  months,  held  separat(j  (M)nference  meetings,  and 
were  called  Free-will  Baptists.  About  the  year  1821,  they  sent  a 
man  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  into  New  York  for  help.  Elder 
Jenkins  went  to  them  innnediat<ly,  and  gav(;  them  the  hand  of  fel- 
lowship as  a  church.  Brother  Iluckins  had  lately  commenced 
preaching,  and  at  this  meeting  related  his  call  to  the  ministry,  and 
received  a  letter  of  commendation.  Two  ministers  and  myself  were 
aj)pointed  to  visit  the  province  immediately. 

The  meetings  of  worship  were  interesting.  The  preacliing  wjw 
blessed  to  tin;  awakening  of  some  who  never  rested  till  they  found 
salvation.  The  revival  that  had  commenced  in  this  town  previous 
to  the  meeting,  started  anew,  and  continued  till  one  hundred  or 
njore,  if  I  mistake  not,  were  converted.  Among  these  was  Free- 
born W.  Straight,  the  young  man  wbom  I  addressed  a  month  be- 
fore, when  coming  up  out  of  the  water  after  baptism. 

Sabbath,  Sept.  3,  I  prea<'hed  in  Ontario,  and  the  lieavenly  cloud 
seemed  to  be  spreading  fast.  The  cries  of  the  awakened,  and  the 
entreaties  of  the  converts,  that  I  should  stay  and  labor  with  them, 
made  me  almost  regret  having  engaged  to  leave  the  town.  But, 
believing  duty  called,  I  left  them,  praying  that  they  might  "  seek 
the  Lord  till  lie  come  and  rain  righteousness  upon"  them.  With 
solemn  feelings  I  turned  my  course  toward  Junius,  and  called  on  a 
young  woman  in  Palmyra,  that  attended  my  school  the  winter 
previous.  Having  been  sick  several  months,  she  had  come  to  this 
place  to  receive  medical  aid,  and  had  requested  this  visit,  expecting 
it  would  be  the  last.  She  observed  to  me,  "  My  physicians  have 
given  me  over — in  a  few  days  I  expect  to  die,  and  I  have  no  hope 
in  Christ !  "When  I  attended  your  school,  your  exhortations  often 
reached  my  heart ;  and  though  I  felt  their  weight,  and  often  wept 
for  my  sins,  still  the  pride  of  my  heart  prevented  me  from  submit- 
ting to  the  cross.  Had  I  yielded  to  conviction,  I  might  have  had 
salvation.  But  now,  alas !  it  is  too  late  !  I  think  I  have  but  a  few 
days  to  spend  in  pain,  and  then  I  shall  sink  to  everlasting  misery  !" 
I  asked  her  if  she  was  willing  to  kneel  while  prayer  should  be 


£1 


■t! 


Mi ' 


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if 


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158 


MEMOIRS    OP 


made  for  her.  She  answered,  "  Yes ;"  and  we  bowed  before  the 
Lord.  I  enjoyed  unusual  freedom  in  prayer,  and  thought  the  Lord 
gave  me  a  witness  that  she  should  receive  the  pardon  of  her  sins. 
In  the  mean  time  she  began  to  weep,  and  her  sorrow  and  cries 
seemed  enough  to  touch  the  hardest  heart.  She  arose,  and  wei>t 
till  her  strength  failed — the  cold  sweat  stood  on  her  face,  and  she 
became  still  as  though  she  were  dead.  We  were  alarmed,  and  for 
a  moment  feared  the  consequences.  Soon,  however,  she  revived, 
but  shortly  fell  away  again  as  before.  Thus  she  apparently  faint- 
ed five  times  in  quick  succession.  My  faith  that  she  would  be  con- 
verted was  shaken,  and  I  seriously  feared  that  instead  thereof,  she 
would  die  immediately.  While  we  were  looking  in  fearful  sus- 
pense, she  revived  again,  and  seeing  her  sister,  she  inquired,  "  Why 
do  you  look  on  me  so  intently  ?"  Her  sister  asked  if  she  did  not 
know  that  she  had  fainted.  She  said,  "  I  am  well — where  am  I  ?" 
Being  told  she  was  where  she  had  usually  been,  she  could  scarcely 
believe  it,  and  said,  "  I  never  was  in  a  place  so  beautiful  as  this — 
every  thing  shines  like  gold."  Addressing  her  sister,  and  other 
friends  that  stood  around,  she  said,  "  How  beautiful  you  are  ! — I 
never  loved  you  so  before — O,  how  happy  I  am  !  I  believe  the 
Lord  has  forgiven  me  all  my  sins.  Blessed  be  his  name."  The 
next  morning  she  remarked,  "  Many  a  night  have  I  spent  weep- 
ing for  fear  of  the  punishment  that  awaited  me ;  but  last  night  I 
could  not  sleep,  because  of  the  heavenly  joy  that  filled  my  soul ; 
for  the  goodness  of  the  Lord  appeared  so  wonderful,  that  I  could 
but  praise  him  all  the  night."  Walking  out,  she  exclaimed,  "  O, 
how  beautiful  is  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  every  thing  that  meet^ 
my  sight !  This  appears  like  a  new  world !"  As  I  was  alwut  to 
leave,  she  said  to  me,  "  Brother  Marks,  before  you  go  to  Canada, 
I  wish  to  return  to  Junius,  confess  Christ  before  my  associates,  and 
be  baptized.     Then  I  can  die  in  peace." 

On  my  arrival  at  Junius,  I  understood  the  young  woman  had 
been  removed  to  her  father's,  and  that  she  scarcely  waited  to  in- 
quire after  the  health  of  her  friends  and  associates,  before  she  told 
them  what  great  things  the  Lord  had  done  for  her  soul.  I  attend- 
ed a  meeting  at  her  father's  house,  and  immediately  after  the  ser- 
mon, she  sat  upon  the  bed  side,  supported  by  two  female  friend?, 
and  in  a  solemn,  impressive  manner,  related  her  experience.  She 
then  requested  the  assembly  to  look  on  her  feeble  form,  and  take 
warning.  Said  she,  "  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  be  baptized  to-morrow, 
and  in  a  few  days  I  expect  you  will  see  this  frame  wrapped  in  a 
shroud,  and  will  folloAV  me  to  the  grave.  O,  remember  what  I  tell 
you,  and  no  longer  neglect  the  Savior."  She  exhorted  the  wicked 
for  some  minutes,  and  her  testimony  was  like  a  sharp  sword.  Many 
in  the  assembly  wept,  and  four  young  people  came  forward  for  prayer. 


DAVID   MARKS. 


159 


e  the 

Loril 

•  sini?. 
cries 
wept 

id  she 

nd  for 

vived, 
fahit- 

)e  con- 

)f,  she 

il  sus- 

"Why 

did  not 

iml?" 

carcely 

\  this — 

d  other 

ire ! — I 

eve  the 

"    The 

it  weep- 
night  I 

ly  soul ; 
I  could 

ed,  "  O, 
it  meets 
ibout  to 
Canada, 
[ites,  and 

lan  had 
Id  to  in- 
Ishe  told 
attend- 
the  scr- 
friendp, 
:e.    She 
md  take 
Imorrow, 
Iped  in  a 
lat  I  tell 
wicked 
.  Many 
prayer. 


On  the  day  following,  a  meeting  was  app</inted  for  baptism  a 
mile  and  a  half  from  her  father's.  Two  circumstances  made  tiiis  a 
time  of  trembling  to  me.  I  had  lived  in  this  neighborhood  from  the 
age  of  nine  yt^ars,  and  had  never  baptized  any  in  the  place.  Be- 
sides, the  candidate  was  so  feeble  that  she  could  not  sit  up  an  hour 
without  fainting,  and  some  of  the  brethren  thought  it  would  endan- 
ger her  life.  Others  were  of  opinion  that  slie  would  probably  die 
in  the  performance  of  it.  She  would  not,  however,  submit  to  their 
entreaties,  but  said,  ''  It  is  my  duty  to  follow  my  Lord  in  baptism, 
and  he  will  support  me."  I  never  realized  more  the  need  of  di- 
\  ine  assistance  than  on  this  occasion  ;  and  I  wfis  much  in  fervent 
prayer  till  the  time  came.  The  candidate  was  placed  on  pillows 
and  blankets  in  a  chair,  and  brought  slowly  to  the  meeting.  When 
she  arrived,  many,  on  seeing  her  pale  face  bound  with  a  white 
handkerchief,  burst  into  tears.  She  was  laid  on  a  bed,  and  the  ex- 
ercises commenced.  I  felt  all  the  solemnity  while  speaking  to  the 
people  that  I  ever  had  on  a  funeral  occasion.  Nor  did  the  assem- 
bly seem  to  be  less  impressed.  Another  young  woman  that  had 
attended  my  school,  and  had  also  obtained  a  hope  in  Christ,  now 
related  her  experience,  and  was  received  for  baptism.  Then  the 
one  that  was  sick  stood  up,  supported  by  another  female,  and  in  a 
very  solemn  manner  told  how  she  had  been  convicted,  how  she  had 
grieved  the  Spirit,  and  how  God  had  forgiven  all  her  sins.  She 
spoke  with  much  feeling  of  the  happiness  she  now  enjoyed,  and  ex- 
horted her  gay  companions  to  leave  their  sins,  and  set  out  with  her 
for  a  better  world.  "We  proceeded  slowly  to  the  water,  the  dis- 
tance of  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  while  many  dropped  their  tears  by  the 
way.  The  sick  candidate  was  seated  in  the  chair,  leaning  back- 
ward to  prevent  her  from  fainting.  Prayer  was  made  to  God  to 
preserve  her  life,  and  strengthen  her  for  the  perfonnance  of  this 
duty.  The  young  woman  that  first  related  her  experience  was 
baptized,  and  came  up  out  of  the  water  rej<  'cing.  The  moment 
dreaded  by  many  had  now  come,  and  I  saiu,  "  Sister  Jane,  wilt 
thou  be  baptized  ?"  With  heavenly  serenity  she  answ  ered,  "  Yes" 
— arose,  gave  me  her  hand,  and  walked  deliberately  into  the  stream. 
When  she  was  raised  out  of  the  water,  not  a  feature  had  changed, 
except  that  her  face  shone  as  though  she  had  seen  God.  Now  she 
was  so  happy  that  she  seemed  unwilling  to  leave  the  water.  On 
being  seated  again,  she  received  the  riglit  hand  of  fellowship,  and 
a  charge  relative  to  the  baptismal  covenant.  To  these  she  emphat- 
ically added,  "  Atn€7i"  Many  of  the  assembly  were  melted  into 
tenderness,  and  I  think  will  never  forget  this  scene.  After  she 
had  changed  her  apparel  and  received  food,  she  remarked  that  she 
had  not  felt  so  well  for  a  week  before.  From  the  hour  of  her  bap- 
tism, she  began  to  amend,  and  in  a  few  weeks  was  entirely  restor- 


<     L., 


160 


MEMOIRS    OF 


ed  to  health.  For  aught  I  know,  shn  remains  to  this  clay,  a  lover 
and  a  witness  of  tlie  grace  of  God.  O,  that  men  would  praise  the 
Lord  for  his  wonderful  works. 

At  this  time  there  appeared  a  good  prospect  of  revival  in  this 
vicinity.  But  I  was  obliged  to  leave  to  fulfil  my  engagements, 
thousjh  with  feelings  much  as  I  had  on  leaving'  Ontario.  Pa.ssing 
through  Benton  quarterly  meeting,  I  preached  with  several  of  the 
churches.  In  a  neighborhood  of  Middlesex,  some  revival  had 
just  commenced,  and  again  I  was  earnestly  entreated  to  stay  a  few 
days.  But  continuing  my  journey  I  proceeded  to  Number  Nine  in 
Canandaigua.  As  T  entered  the  house  of  brother  Theodorus  Bee- 
bee,  he  said,  "  Bless  the  Lord ;  I  am  glad  to  see  you  ; — I  believe 
God  has  sent  you  to  this  place."  I  sighed,  knowing  they  would  be 
disappointed  on  learning  that  I  could  remain  but  one  day.  I  at- 
tended a  meeting,  and  the  Lord  fastened  conviction  on  the  hearts 
of  several.  The  next  day  I  went  to  Groveland,  and  attended  a 
meeting.  My  appointments  had  been  given  out  on  the  way  to 
Canada,  but  having  two  days'  leisure,  I  returned  to  Canandaigua,  a 
distance  of  thirty  miles,  and  preached  from  Rom.  6:23,  "  The 
wages  of  sin  is  death."  This  was  a  solemn,  weeping  time.  Sev- 
eral were  awakened  to  seek  the  Lord,  and  afterward  some  dated 
their  conviction  from  the  reading  of  this  text.  Eight  came  for- 
ward for  prayer,  one  of  whom,  a  respectable  young  lady,  cried  as 
she  arose,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner"  The  prospect  of  a 
revival  in  this  vicinity,  together  with  the  impression  that  duty  call- 
ed me  to  stay  and  attend  to  the  work,  made  me  regret  having  en- 
gaged to  go  to  Canada.  But  as  the  engagement  was  conditional, 
"  If  the  Lord  will"  I  finally  relinquished  my  intention  of  visiting 
the  province,  and  concluded  to  go  only  as  far  as  my  appointments 
extended,  and  then  return  immediately.  Proceeding  west,  I  at- 
tended meetings  in  difTerent  towns,  till  I  came  to  Lockport,  one 
hundred  miles. 

In  this  journey  I  called  on  a  brother  at  Batavia,  who  told  me 
that  there  was  a  great  uproar  among  the  people — that  the  Free 
Masons  had  kidnapped  a  man  named  William  Morgan,  of  that  town, 
who  Avas  publishing  the  secrets  of  Masonry, — that,  although  great 
efforts  had  been  made  to  find  him,  it  could  not  be  found  how  they 
had  disposed  of  him — and  it  was  feared  he  had  been  murdered. 
He  further  stated,  that  on  the  night  previous  to  his  being  taken 
from  Batavia,  the  printing  office  that  contained  his  disclosures  rel- 
ative to  Masonry,  was  set  on  fire  a  little  after  midnight,  while  ten 
persons  were  asleep  in  that  building  and  another  adjoining  it,  and 
that,  had  it  not  been  accidentally  discovered,  those  persons  might 
have  perished,  and  a  considerable  part  of  the  village  have  been  de- 
stroyed by  the  fire.     He  said  also  that  on  the  day  after  Morgan 


DAVID    MARKS. 


161 


great 


might 


was  seized,  a  mob  of  about  sixty  persona,  who  were  mostly  stran- 
gers, appeared  at  noon  in  Batavia,  armed  with  clubs,  and  seized 
David  C.  Miller,  a  miison,  who  was  printing  Morgan's  disclosures 
— took  him  to  Strafford,  and  thence  to  Le  Roy,  where  he  was  res- 
cued by  his  friends^  from  Batavia.  He  said  it  had  been  understood 
that  the  Masons  had  determined  Morgan's  disclosures  should  be 
suppressed ;  and  that  the  printing  office  was  guarded  with  cannon 
and  small  arms,  and  the  people  generally  in  readiness,  expecting 
every  hour  to  be  called  to  action  in  defence  of  their  townsman. 

These  things  were  new  to  me,  and  it  seemed  unaccountable,  that 
two  weeks  could  have  passed  since  the  commencement  of  these  out- 
rages, and  the  people  generally  in  the  towns  fifteen  miles  distant 
have  heard  notliing  of  it.  Still  I  had  a  favorable  opinion  of  Free 
Masonry,  and  thought  it  very  strange  that  so  large  a  number  of 
masons  could  have  been  found  to  engage  in  such  outrages.  From 
the  account  that  masons  had  given  of  the  principles  of  their  insti- 
tution, I  supposed  the  fraternity  would  remove  this  stain  upon  their 
order,  by  expelling  those  who  had  been  guilty  of  such  crimes,  and 
would  use  every  effort  to  bring  them  to  justice.  As  I  passed  from 
place  to  place,  I  related  some  particulars  of  these  outrages,  without 
the  least  idea  of  offending  the  masons.  But,  to  my  astonishm  it, 
I  found  that  the  relation  of  these  facts  generally  displeased  the.  . ; 
and  I  was  several  times  tcld,  with  angry  looks,  if  I  knew  what  was 
for  my  good,  I  would  mind  my  own  business,  and  let  these  things 
alone.  I  conversed  with  ^lany  masons  about  these  occurrences, 
and  they  generally  affected  to  believe  it  was  all  a  speculation,  and 
that  Morgan  had  run  away  to  make  sale  for  his  book.  They  inti- 
mated that  Morgan  had  not  revealed  the  secrets  of  Masonry — and 
numy  who  were  generally  thought  to  be  good  men,  said  if  he  had 
disclosed  the  secrets  of  Masonry,  "  He  ought  to  die"  and  "  no  death 
would  be  too  bad  for  him."  One  man  who  was  a  professor  of  re- 
ligion, told  me,  if  Morgan  had  revealed  the  secrets  of  the  order, 
he  '•  coidd  see  him  gibbeted  in  good  conscience." 

I  now  met  with  one  of  my  greatest  trials — several  of  my  breth- 
ren whom  I  highly  esteemed  were  masons — yet  unnumbered  cir- 
oimstances  compelled  me  to  believe  that  Masonry  approved  of 
these  outrages,  and  that  the  fraternity  were  combined  to  protect 
the  criminals — to  close  the  press  against  these  facts — and  to  keep 
them  as  secret  as  possible. 

On  my  return  to  Canandaigua,  I  learned  that  one  had  been  con- 
verted. I  remained  in  this  town  for  a  time,  preached  daily,  at- 
tended conference  meetings,  and  visited  and  prayed  from  house  to 
house.  In  almost  every  meeting  there  were  some  new  instances 
of  conviction,  or  of  conversion  and  confession  of  Christ ;  and  soon 
I  enjoyed  tlie  privilege  of  baptizing  six  converts.  December,  1, 
14* 


M 


'  .    t  V  .,■ 


.'At- 


162 


MEMOIRS    OF 


1826,  a  church  was  formed.  The  members  solemnly  covenanted 
with  each  other  to  keep  the  perfect  law,  according  to  the  grace  giv- 
en them,  and  maintain  gospel  order  and  fellowship,  agreeably  to 
the  Scriptures. 

The  work  of  the  Lord  continued  ;  but  whilo*  we  were  thus  fa- 
vored, the  enemies  of  the  cross,  by  cruel  slanders,  tried  to  bring 
the  subjects?  of  the  revival  into  contempt  and  disgi'ace.  Yet  the 
testimonies  of  Scripture,  that  "  all  that  will  live  godly  in  Christ 
Jesus  shall  suffer  persecution,"  and  that  "  it  is  enough  that  the  dis- 
ciple be  as  his  Master,"  reconciled  us  to  our  lot,  and  made  even 
the  converts  rejoice,  that  they  were  counted  worthy  to  "  suffer  for 
Christ's  sake."  On  the  17  th  of  Dec.  I  baptized  two,  and  on  the 
24th,  three.     Four  of  these  were  added  to  the  church. 

During  the  revival,  I  frequently  preached  in  other  towns,  and 
some  of  the  meetings  were  blessed  of  the  Lord.  In  the  early  part 
of  January,  1827,  I  made  a  journey  eastward  as  far  as  Utica,  and 
held  meetings  with  several  churches  of  the  Free  Communion  Bap- 
tists. This  denomination  is  distinct  from  the  Free-will  Baptists. 
The  principal  difference  is,  that  many  of  the  Free  Communion 
Baptists  believe  in  what  is  called  the  "Jinnl  perseverance  of  the 
saints."  It  is  thought,  however,  that  more  than  one  half  of  the  de- 
nomination exactly  agree  with  the  Free-will  Baptists.  Another 
difference  is,  they  have  a  small  number  of  articles,  abstract  from 
tho  vScriptures.  Their  churches  are  situated  mostly  in  New  York, 
and  principally  within  one  hundred  miles  west  of  Albany.  Their 
CKact  number  I  cannot  state,  but  probably  they  had  in  1827, 
about  forty  churches  mA  three  thousand  members.  Not  far  from 
this  time,  their  annual  conference  was  divided  into  two,  called  the 


Northern  and  Southern  conferences, 
is  the  dividing  line  between  them. 


The  great  western  turnpike 
I  am  of  opinion,  that  if  the 


Free  Communion  Baptists  and  the  Free-will  Baptists,  should  be- 
come acquainted  with  each  other,  they  might  become  one  people. 

In  general  thoy  received  me  as  a  servant  of  the  Lord.  In  one 
town,  however,  there  was  an  exception. "  On  a  Sabbath  that  wa> 
appointed  for  communion,  I  attended  their  meeting,  and  was  intro- 
duced to  the  preacher.  He  invited  me  into  the  pulpit,  and  af\or 
his  sermon,  asked  me  to  conclude  by  prayer.  Then  leaving  me 
in  the  desk,  he  prepared  the  tjible,  and  invited  all  that  had  a  good 
standing  in  any  Christian  denomination,  to  come  forward  and  par- 
take. Accordingly  I  desired  the  privilege,  and  offered  to  show  my 
letters.  He  replied,  "We  do  not  wish  to  examine  them;  we  do 
not  doubt  that  your  standing  is  good  in  the  Free-^will  Baptist  de- 
nomination. But  we  have  not  as  yet  recognized  the  Free-will 
Baptists  as  a  Christian  denomination."  I  undei-stood  that  a  Uni- 
tarian preacher  had  been  among  them,  falsely  calling  himself  a 


lanted 
!e  giv- 
jly   to 

lus  fa- 
bring 
'et  the 
Christ 
lie  dis- 
e  even 
[fer  for 
on  the 

IS,  and 
ly  part 
la,  and 
m  Bap- 
•aptists. 
munion 
<  of  the 
the  de- 
Vnother 
ict  from 
,v  York, 
Their 
n  1827, 
ar  from 
lied  the 
urnpike 
t  if  thv- 
3uld  be- 
leople. 
In  one 
at  wa> 
IS  intro- 
d  after 
me 
a  gootl 
nd  par- 
ihow  my 
we  do 
tist  de- 
ree-will 
a  Uni- 
mself  a 


DAVID    MARKS. 


1C3 


hng 


Free-will  Baptist,  and  by  this  means  had  occasioned  a  division  in 
the  church.     On  this  account  they  seemed  to  be  afraid  of  me. 

On  the  evening  of  Jan.  22,  I  spoke  io  a  crowded  assembly  in 
Fabius,  and  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  seemed  to  move  on  the  people. 
A  Free-will  Baptist  church  had  lately  been  gathered  in  the  place, 
and  they  were  enjoying  a  good  season.  Four  converts  having  been 
received  as  candidates,  they  requested  me  to  baptize  them.  As  I 
had  an  appointment  the  day  following  at  Spaffbrd,  I  attended  a  meet- 
ing the  next  morning  at  sunrise.  A  considerable  number  were 
present,  and  unexjjectedly  two  others  related  their  experience  and 
desired  to  be  baptized.  One  of  these  was  a  little  girl ;  but  her 
friends,  though  satisfied  she  had  been  converted,  were  unwilling 
she  should  be  baptized,  because  she  was  but  eight  years  of  age. 
The  snow  was  nearly  three  feet  deep,  and  a  tedious  storm  made  it 
very  unpleasant;  however,  we  broke  a  path  nearly  a  quarter  of  a 
mile,  to  a  pond,  where  the  ice  had  been  cut  for  the  occasion.  After 
five  were  baptized,  the  little  girl  before  named,  turned  to  her  fath- 
er, and  bursting  into  teai*s  said,  "  O,  papa,  do  let  me  be  baptized." 
He  asked  me  if  I  thought  it  would  be  right.  I  replied,  '  Yes  ;' 
and  he  consented.  Her  tears  dried  up,  a  heavenly  smile  sat  upon 
her  countenance,  and  while  she  went  forward  in  obedience  to  the 
command  of  Him  who  said,  "  Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto 
me  and  forbid  them  not,"  her  little  heart  seemed  filled  with  joy. 

I  proceeded  toward  Spafford,  and  not  having  a  change  of  ap- 
parel with  me,  I  rode  all  day  with  my  clothes  frozen,  but  took  no 
cold.  Night  overtook  me  when  I  was  within  three  miles  of  my  ap- 
pointment, and  the  road  was  filled  with  drifts,  so  tha.,  I  was  oblig- 
ed to  crawl  on  the  snow.  With  difficulty  I  got  along  thus  for  near- 
ly a  mile  ;  and  on  reaching  the  place  found  a  crowded  assembly. 
As  I  was  much  fatigued,  I  thought  I  should  not  speak  over  half  an 
hour :  but  the  Lord  enabled  me  to  speak  an  hour  and  a  half  with 
considerable  freedom.  I  next  went  to  Canandaigua,  and  enjoyed 
some  good  seasons  with  the  converts,  who  were  much  engaged. 

In  February,  1827,  I  held  meetings  in  Ontario,  Pcnfield,  Per- 
inton,  Macedon,  Canandaigua,  Groveland,  Clarkson,  Parma,  So- 
das, Lyons,  Junius,  Benton,  Milo,  Barrington,  Jerusalem,  and  Mid- 
dlesex, and  saw  several  converted. 

I  spent  a  considerable  part  of  March  in  Canandaigua,  and  the 
liord  favored  us  w^ith  some  refreshings  from  his  presence.  The 
number  of  converts  increased  to  thirty  or  thirty-five.  Several  ot 
these  joined  the  Calvinistic  Baj)tists.  About  this  time  I  took  a 
dismission  from  the  church  in  Junius,  and  became  a  member  of 
the  church  at  Canandaigua.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  month,  I  vis- 
ited and  preached  in  several  other  towns. 

Sabbath.  April  1,  was  a  pleasant  day.     Again  the  beauties  of 


itii 


164 


MEMOIRS    OP 


it' 


spring  beg.an  to  appear,  and  the  forest  songsters  to  praise  their 
Creator.  Early  in  the  morning  I  visited  a  young  woman  that  had 
been  sick  four  years.  Till  within  a  tew  days  she  had  had  no  hope 
in  the  Savior  to  support  her  in  her  sickness.  But  now  she  was 
resigned  in  expectation  of  certain  death.  I  preached  in  Ontario 
and  Perinton.  A  young  man  spoke  for  the  first  time,  and  pro- 
fessed that  he  had  found  the  one  thing  needful. 

April  2, 1  attended  a  debate  that  w{is  appointed  to  be  held  be- 
tween a  Calvinistic  Baptist  and  a  Universalist ;  but  the  former 
being  unwell,  he  desired  me  to  take  a  part  in  the  discussion.  I 
complied,  and  enjoyed  much  peace  of  mind  and  freedom  in  speak- 
ing. Afterwards  I  understood  that  several  were  at  this  time  con- 
vinced that  such  as  die  in  their  sins,  shall  "  be  driven  away  in  their 
wickedness" 

I  next  went  to  Attica,  a  distance  of  seventy  miles,  and  enjoyed 
an  interesting  meetirg, — thence  to  Pittsfbrd,  and  stopped  a  night 
with  a  young  man  that  had  been  a  licensed  preacher.  But  now  he 
was  fallen  into  a  state  of  scepticism,  and  professed  atheistical  prin- 
ciples. I  convei'sed  with  him — his  mind  appeared  to  be  confused 
and  gloomy,  and  from  his  conversation,  I  concluded  that  he  had 
fallen  into  this  state  by  neglecting  to  watch  and  pray,  and  by  try- 
ing to  "  find  out  God  to  perfection." 

Monday,  April  9,  I  left  Canandaigua  for  Pennsylvania,  having 
a  line  of  appointments  previously  given  out.  I  met  assemblies  the 
five  days  following,  at  Flint  creek  in  Middlesex,  at  Jerusalem, 
Milo,  Barrington,  Jersey  and  Catlin.  In  the  latter  place,  seven 
covenanted  to  seek  the  Lord,  and  some  of  them  were  soon  after 
liopefully  converted. 

April  1 6,  I  preached  near  Tioga  river,  in  Pennsylvania.  Here 
the  Lord  gave  me  great  liberty ;  blessed  be  his  name.  I  also 
went  to  Delmar,  held  two  meetings,  and  baptized  one.  After  the 
baptism,  several  prayed,  some  cried  for  mercy,  and  two  backslidei-s 
promised  to  return.  I  enjoyed  a  solemn  meeting  east  of  Wells- 
borough,  and  on  Friday,  April  20,  went  on  my  way  toward  Troy. 
Pa.  I  passed  this  day  in  much  reflection  and  self-examination,  and 
felt  a  gi'cat  sense  of  my  poverty,  and  a  great  desire  for  more  of  the 
mind  that  wjis  in  Christ  Jesus.  I  had  preached  much  to  others, 
and  feeling  in  a  state  to  be  profited  by  hearing  the  plain  truth  of 
God,  I  began  preaching  to  myself,  from  Rom.  2:21,  "  Thou,  there- 
fore, which  teachest  another,  teachest  thou  not  thyself?  thou  that 
preachest  a  man  should  not  steal,  dost  thou  steal  ?"  I  never  felt 
so  much  convicted  under  any  sermon  in  my  life,  and  for  miles, 
while  travelling  in  the  woods  alone,  I  wept  for  my  unworthiness. 
At  length  I  fell  on  my  face,  and  solemnly  covenanted  to  dedicate 
myself  more  fully  unto  God.     At  a  late  hour  I  reached  Troy,  and 


DAVID    MARKS. 


165 


their 
:ha(l 
hope 
J  was 
itario 
pro- 
Id  be- 
jrmer 
»n.     I 
speak- 
e  con- 
i  their 

njoyed 

I  niglit 
low  lie 

II  prin- 
mfused 
he  had 
by  try- 
having 
lies  the 
uaalem, 

seven 
hn  after 


jv,  aiul 


sfiokc  with  much  freedom  to  a  waiting  congregation.  I  had  a 
pleasant  interview  with  Elder  Asa  Dodge.  Ileligion  was  his  whole 
theme. 

Sabbath,  April  22,  I  preached  in  Smithfield  ;  some  appeared  af- 
fected, others  inflexibly  hard.  Early  next  morning,  the  neighbor- 
hood W51S  alarmed  by  the  burning  of  a  house  and  barn.  I  under- 
stood that  the  father  of  the  young  men  who  owned  the  buildings, 
set  fire  to  them,  and  thus  destroyed  one  thousand  or  fifteen  hun- 
dred dollars  merely  out  of  revenge.  But  alas !  sin  will  cause  greater 
destruction  than  this  !  On  this  day  I  rode  thirty  miles,  and  met 
an  assembly  in  Owego.  Elder  Colby  passed  through  this  town 
seventeen  years  previous,  and  in  his  journal  he  writes  of  thji  place 
thus :  "  On  leaving  Tioga,  I  went  down  to  Owego  expecting  to 
preach  somewhere  in  the  village  that  day ;  but  they  would  not  re- 
ceive me.  Of  this  village  I  can  speak  nothing  favorable  as  to 
their  religion  or  piety.  I  was  credibly  informed  that  there  was 
not  one  Christian  in  the  place,  although  it  was  a  considerable  vil- 
lage." But  it  had  now  three  good  meeting-houses,  and  many 
Christians ;  and  I  undei*stood  that  within  the  last  ten  days  forty 
persons  had  obtained  a  hope  in  Christ.  Thus  the  wilderness  be- 
comes a  fruitful  field.  During  this  week,  I  preached  at  Apalachi- 
an  and  Owego  creeks,  in  Candor,  Dryden,  and  Ithaca.  In  all 
these  places  I  enjoyed  good  freedom.  In  Ithaca,  nearly  one  hun- 
dred professed  Christians  were  present.  They  appeared  very 
plain  and  very  humble.  When  I  preached  in  this  place  a  year 
previous,  little  attention  was  given  to  religion.  Since  that  time,  it 
was  calculated  that  one  thousand  had  been  converted  in  the  town. 
Five  hundred  had  united  with  the  Methodists,  three  hundred  with 
the  Presbyterians,  and  two  hundred  with  other  denominations.  I 
was  told,  that  in  this  revival  judges,  doctors,  lawyers,  merchants, 
&c.  fell  on  their  knees  in  the  broad  aisles,  amid  popular  congrega- 
tions, and  prayed  to  God  for  mercy. 

Sabbath,  April  29,  I  attended  a  Baptist  meeting  between  Cayu- 
ga and  Seneca  lakes,  but  no  liberty  was  given  for  any  to  speak  ex- 
cept the  minister.  Feeling  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  upon  me,  I  re- 
quested liberty  ;  but  none  being  granted,  I  began,  after  the  people 
went  out,  to  address  them  on  the  green  ;  then,  being  desired  to  go 
into  the  meeting-house,  we  returned,  and  the  Lord  enabled  me  to 
speak  with  much  freedom.  Many  in  the  assembly  wept.  After 
this,  I  went  to  Ovid,  and  finding  an  assembly  just  gathered,  desir- 
ed the  privilege  of  speaking  to  the  people,  which  w  as  granted. 
The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  attended  the  word  to  the  hearts  of  many, 
and  several  came  forward  for  prayer.  In  the  early  part  of  May, 
I  attended  two  meetings  in  Camillus,  two  in  Spafford,  and  a  two- 
days  meeting  in  Fabius.     The  church  in  the  latter  place  appeared 


!■ 


»"'tir 


166 


MEMOIRS    OF 


well  engaj^cd,  and  the  opportunity  was  profitable.  May  7,  1827, 
the  ground  was  covered  with  snow.  I  made  several  visits,  and  the 
day  foUowinj^  [)reat'hed  in  Woodstock.  The  power  of  God  was  in 
the  assembly,  and  til'tcen  or  twenty  manifested  their  desire  to  be- 
come the  disciples  of  Christ.  May  10,  I  had  an  appointment  in 
the  Baptist  meeting  house  in  Hamilton.  A  considerable  assembly 
attended.  Having  for  my  hearers  several  students  from  the  sem- 
inary, and  many  of  the  popular  class,  I  was  at  first  some  embar- 
raised  ;  but,  falling  on  my  knees,  I  cried  to  the  Lord  for  assistance 
—•he  heard  me,  and  so  filled  me  with  his  Spirit,  that  it  appeared 
to  me,  the  people  were  but  "  as  grasshoppers"  before  God,  and 
my  fears  of  them  were  taken  away.  Some  wept,  and  others 
shouted. 

Friday  and  Saturday,  May  11  and  12,  I  held  four  meetings  in 
Brookfield  and  Plainfield,  and  on  the  Sabbath  met  an  assembly  in 
Winfield.  In  the  latter  place,  I  spoke  pointedly  on  the  necessity 
of  Christians  being  separate  from  the  world.  A  popular  preacher 
of  the  Seventh  Day  Baptists  addressed  the  assembly,  and  told  them 
they  had  heard  the  truth.  The  next  day,  after  going  north  to 
Bridgwater,  I  staid  a  few  hours,  to  witness  the  trial  of  several  who 
bad  just  been  taken  for  passing  counterfeit  money.  While  I  ob- 
served their  joy  and  vanity  at  the  genius  displayed  by  their  coun- 
sel, on  whom  they  seemed  to  look  as  their  only  friend,  1  thought, 
alas !  poor  creatures,  unless  you  repent,  who  will  brighten  your 
countenances  in  the  Judgment  ?  who  will  plead  your  cause  in  that 
last  great  day  of  trial  ?  Then  you  will  be  speechless — then  you 
will  receive  an  irrevokable  sentence.  And,  alas !  this  will  be  the 
fate,  not  only  of  counterfeiters,  but  of  all  who  live  in  sin.  Con- 
tinuing my  course  north,  I  held  two  meetings  in  Rome.  One  was 
a  weeping  time.  A  young  woman  came  forw^ard,  trembling,  kneel- 
ed for  prayer,  and  promised  to  seek  the  Lord. 

In  Taburg  I  attended  a  meeting,  but  enjoying  no  liberty,  fell 
again  into  trials,  and,  immediately  after  meeting,  retired  to  a  river 
side  at  the  foot  of  a  hill — made  a  covenant  with  God — and  "  set 
up  a  stone"  for  a  witness.  It  pleased  the  Lord  to  lift  upon  me  the 
light  of  his  countenance,  and  I  'vent  on  my  way  rejoicing.  I 
preached  in  Trenton  ;  and  on  Sabbath,  May  20,  met  an  appoint- 
ment at  the  meeting  house  in  Russia,  and  spoke  from  1  Tim.  2:4 : 
"  Who  will  have  all  men  to  be  saved,"  &c.  I  endeavored  to  an- 
swer the  principal  arguments  usually  brought  against  the  doctrine 
of  free  salvation,  and  to  enforce  the  obligation  of  repentance  and 
faith.  The  Lord  accompanied  the  word  by  his  Spirit.  Blessed 
be  his  name.     After  I  left  the  meeting,  a  collection  of  five  dollars 


young 


woman 


was  brought  to  me.     Being  requested,  I  visited  a 

who  was  very  sick,  and  much  concerned  for  her  soul.  She  said  to  me. 


DAVID    MARKS. 


167 


1827, 

uid  the 

was  in 

to  be- 
lent  in 
.senibly 
le  sem- 
erabar- 
sistance 
ipeared 
od,  and 

others 

:ing8  in 
ably  in 
eceasity 
ireacher 
►Id  them 
lorth  to 
ral  who 
e  I  ob- 
lir  coun- 
thought, 
3n  your 

in  that 
len  you 

be  the 
Con- 
)ne  was 
kneel- 


id 


•ty,  fell 
a  river 
"  set 
me  the 
mg.  I 
)point- 
■m.  2:4: 
to  an- 
loctrine 
ice  and 
Blessed 
dollars 
woman 
d  to  me. 


"  ]\f y  groat  desire  is  to  be  prepared  to  meet  God.  If  this  might  be,  I 
should  not  wish  to  liv^  anoth<'r  day."  Tlius  it  is  with  ahnost  all  that 
live  in  sin  when  they  come  to  the  gate  of  death;  still  they  will  not  re- 
pent while  they  are  in  health,  and  whih'  thoy  may.  Sabbath  P.  M., 
I  spoke  to  a  crowded  assembly  in  JMiddleville.  I  returned  to  Rus- 
sia, and  preached  again  at  the  meeting  house  with  unusual  freedom. 
One  evening,  a^er  1  had  preached,  about  twenty  converts  came  to 
my  lodging,  and  sung  and  prayed  till  midnight.  A  young  man 
present,  said,  that  he  had  trusted  in  the  doctrine  of  decrees,  but 
the  Sabbath  before,  his  refuge  was  swept  away,  and  since  that  time 
he  had  been  much  concerned  for  his  soul.  Afler  midnight  he  be- 
gan to  cry  for  mercy.  I  was  called  up  to  pray  for  him,  and  be- 
fore morning  he  professed  to  find  peace. 

Saturday,  May  20,  I  attended  the  monthly  meeting  of  the  Free 
Communion  Baptist  church  in  Russia.  One  hundred  professors 
spoke  of  the  goodness  of  God.  Elder  Corps,  a  preacher  of  their 
connexion,  though  ninety-ltoo  years  of  age,  was  present,  and  ex- 
horted his  brethren  to  faithfulness.  About  a  year  before  this  time, 
a  great  revival  commenced  under  the  labors  of  Susan  Humes,  and 
continued,  as  I  understood,  till  about  three  hundred  professed  to 
pass  from  death  unto  life.  Most  of  the  converts  joined  the  Free 
Communion  Baptists.  The  people  were  much  attached  to  sister 
Humes,  and  viewed  her  as  a  chosen  vessel.  On  the  Sabbath  I 
met  with  them  again.  During  the  following  week  I  visited  sever- 
al towns  at  the  south,  and  enjoyed  happy  seasons  in  preaching  the 
Lord  Jesus. 

In  June,  I  returned  to  the  western  part  of  New  York,  visited 
about  twenty  towns,  and  attended  about  thirty  meetings  with  usual 
freedom.  July  2,  I  met  two  assemblies  in  Benton  and  Milo,  and 
baptized  one  in  each  town.  Some  revival  had  lately  been  enjoy- 
ed in  both  these  places.  On  the  8th  I  preached  in  Canandaigua 
and  baptized  two,  who  were  added  to  the  church.  I  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  July,  preaching  in  Sodus,  Lyons,  Junius,  in  several 
towns  east  of  Canandaigua,  and  in  several  churches  within  the 
limits  of  the  Owego  quarterly  meeting.  In  these  meetings  sever- 
al were  awakened.  *  O,  may  their  awakening  terminate  in  conver- 
sion.' 

In  August,  I  attended  a  session  of  the  Benton  quarterly  meet- 
ing in  Catlin,  and  also  met  assemblies  in  different  towns  till  I  came 
to  Canandaigua.  Here  I  preached  a  few  times,  then  visited  sever- 
al churches  of  the  Bethany  quarterly  meeting,  and  found  them 
generally  prospering. 

Friday,  Aug.  24,  1827,  I  attended  the  seventh  session  of  iha 
Holland  Purchase  yearly  meeting,  held  at  Bethany.  Several  im- 
portant subjects  were  considered  with  much  union.     Among  these 


;i-j^'ii.'.,L.^ .,  -,*^ 


^ 


1G8 


I 


u 


MEMOIRS    OF 


was  Free  Masonry.  It  appeared  that  j^cat  dissatisfaction  had 
arisen  on  tliis  subject,  and  was  rai)idly  increasing ;  and  the  testimo- 
ny of  Masons,  v/ho  were  daily  seceding,  publicly  declared  the  oaths, 
cerenionii's,  and  principles  of  tlie  order,  to  be  such  Jis  must  strike 
the  feelings  of  every  Christian  with  dread  and  horror.  Their  tes- 
timony was  confirnuHl  by  a  thousand  eireunistances  connected  with 
the  abduction  of  William  M()rgan,  whieh  had  eome  and  were  daily 
coming  befon;  the  public.  These  things  caused  many  of  the  breth- 
ren great  pain,  especially  when  they  n'flected  that  several  in  the 
denomination  who  were  nuich  esteemed,  were  bound  by  oath  to  the 
institution.  Those  preachers  and  brethren  present,  that  belonged 
to  that  society,  retired  by  themselves  to  ascertain  how  far  they  could 
concede  to  those  who  were  tried  on  account  of  their  connection  with 
Masonry.  They  reported  that  they  would  have  no  connection  with 
the  institution,  and  would  not  attend  their  meetings,  except  in  cas- 
es when  "  the^  were  summoned;"  that  in  this  case  they  could  not 
agree  not  to  attend — their  obligation  was  of  such  a  nature,  that  in 
this  thing,  they  were  bound  in  conscience  to  have  their  liberty.  It 
was  thought  the  brethren  generally,  who  were  Mason»,  would  con- 
cede to  this  position,  and  it  appeared  to  be  satisfactory  to  the  year- 
ly meeting.  On  Saturday  at  an  early  hour  worship  commenced  in 
a  grove.  The  assembly  was  large,  attentive,  and  solemn.  On  the 
Sabbath,  three  sermons  and  several  exhortations  were  given.  The 
blessing  of  the  Loi'd  rested  upon  us.  In  the  ministers'  conference 
on  Monday,  we  understood  that  the  brethren  appointed  to  visit  the 
church  in  Upper  Canada,  gathered  another  church  in  that  province. 
My  appointment  to  visit  Canada  was  renewed,  and  brother  F.  "W. 
Straight,  who  had  lately  received  a  letter  of  commendation  from 
the  church  in  Ontario,  was  appointed  to  accompany  me. 

On  Tuesday  evening,  I  attended  an  interesting  meeting  in  Cas- 
tile, and  on  coming  out  of  the  house  I  observed  the  northern  lights 
to  be  more  luminous  than  I  had  ever  before  seen  them.  They 
rose  in  bright  columns  nearly  over  our  heads  with  majestic  gran- 
deur. I  remembered  reading  that  the  northern  lights  were  never 
seen  till  the  year  1716.  I  felt  very  solemn,  and  reflected  on  the 
prophecy  named  in  Acts  2:19,  20:  ^^And  I  mil  shew  won- 
ders in  heaven  above,  and  signs  in  the  earth  beneath;  blood, 
and  fire,  and  vapor  of  smoke ; — before  that  great  and  notable 
day  of  the  Lord  come."  About  the  time  we  arrived  at  our 
lodgings,  a  bright  column  arose  in  the  east,  and  extended  over  our 
heads  nearly  to  the  western  horizon.  The  edges  were  smooth  as 
a  ribbon,  the  color  was  like  fire,  and  its  form  was  like  the  rainbow. 
There  were  no  clouds,  and  the  light  of  this  column,  with  those  in 
the  north,  illuminated  tlie  earth  nearly  or  quite  as  much  as  the 
light  of  the  moon  in  a  clear  night.    I  thought  much  of  the  last 


w^^'l 


WA 


DAVID    MARKS. 


1C9 


(lay,  ftn<l  quoried,  "  if  my  L<iril  should  now  corao,  am  T  iircparcd 
(o  meet  him  ?"  I  felt  great  compoj^ure,  and  thuu<;;hl  if  Ji-.su.s  should 
then  descftul,  and  the  trumpet  be  blown,  my  heart  woidd  say, 
"  Amen.  Even  so,  come,  Lord  Jesus."  Shortly  after  this,  I  visited 
a  family  that  did  not  believe  in  a  day  "of  Judjjjment  to  come;" 
l)Mt  on  this  oeeasion,  I  was  informed,  they  awoke,  and  seein;^  the 
li;.'ht,  fliou^^ht  tfte  Judr/nient  doy  had  come  ;  and  some  of  them  walk- 
<m1  their  ehamber  and  wept  bitterly,  wrinj^ing  their  hands  for  an- 
guish. Yet  when  the  light  began  to  lessen,  their  tears  dried  up, 
and  pmbably  they  said  in  their  hearts,  "  My  Lord  dcUiyeth  his 
comivyP     IJut  to  them,  alas  ! 

"  Thaf  awful  day  will  come, 
The  appointed  hour  nialies  liRHle." 

L<'aving  Castile  with  brother  Straight  we  held  meetings  in  sev- 
eral towns  west  and  north  of  Canandaigua  lake  and  enjoyed  profit- 
able seasons. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

My  First  Journey  to  London  District  in  Upper  Canada. 

September  26,  1827,  we  commenced  our  jouniey  from  Canan- 
daigua to  Upper  Canada,  preaching  by  the  way  till  we  arrived  at 
Royalton.  A  little  company  of  saints  had  been  gathered  in  this 
place  by  Elder  Crapsey,  and  organized  into  a  church.  We  attend- 
ed their  monthly  meeting,  and  on  the  Sabbath,  October  7,  preach- 
ed with  them  ;  the  next  day  we  crossed  the  Niagara  river  at  Lew- 
iston,  and  proceeded  to  Lunday's  Lane.  It  was  very  rainy,  night 
came  on,  and  with  difficulty  we  could  keep  the  road ;  so  we  called 
on  strangers  at  a  private  house,  and  were  kindly  received.  Soon 
they  recognized  my  countenance,  having  heard  me  preach  in  this 
vicinity  five  years  previous.  Continuing  our  journey,  we  passed 
through  Hamilton  and  Ancaster,  beautiful  villages,  situated  near 
the  head  of  lake  Onta,rio,  and  through  Brandford  to  Oxford.  At 
Oxford,  our  carriage  failed  through  the  dishonesty  of  a  smith  that 
repaired  it  at  Hamilton,  and  besides  suffering  a  loss  of  six  or  sev- 
en dollars,  our  lives  were  greatly  endangered.  In  about  two  hours, 
we  succeeded  in  getting  repairs  made  that  would  answer  for  the 
present ;  and  after  proceeding  a  few  miles,  entered  a  seven  mile 
wood.  The  road  was  rough  and  muddy ;  we  got  through  about 
dark,  and  calling  at  a  house,  were  told  that  it  Avas  two  miles  to  an 
inn,  and  a  very  good  road  except  a  quarter  of  a  mile  through  a 


I 


A 


VI 


170 


MEMOIRS    OP 


wood.  AV«»  wont  on,  pusscd  ovfi*  hrokm  lr)f»  hridf^oa,  nnd  throiii^h 
dct'p  Mind.  It  soon  bccainc  s(»  dark  tliut  we  conld  not  discrrn  onr 
hand  bcf'oiv;  ns.  When  confident  that  we  had  ^onc  a  mile,  and 
nothln;;  y«'t  n|>i)<Mirin}»,  hnt  a  thick  fon'st,  w«'  fcarccl  that  we  liad 
missed  our  way,  and  ini^ht  have  to  take  our  h)d'rinp  in  the  retreat 
ot*  the  wild  beasts.  If  disposi-d  to  nlnrn,  the  way  se<'n»ed  impass- 
able; so,  pro('eedin;ij  about  half  a  mile  fin'ther,  wo  saw  the  li;;ht  of 
a  dwelling;  which  we  found  to  be  an  inn,  and  were^lad.  They  Irce- 
ly  f^ave  us  (Mitertaimnent.  Saturday,  Oct.  1.'5,  we  passed  throui^h 
Westminst«'r,  crossed  the  river  Thames  to  Lon(U)n,  and  proceeded 
ten  miles  in  a  roufrh,  miry  road  to  the  north  part  of  the  town. 
Here  was  IIk^  residence  of  brother  Thomas  lluckins.  On  onr  ar- 
rival he  and  nearly  all  the;  neij^hborhood  were  assembled  in  month- 
ly meetiii}^,  A  little  boy  piloted  methrou^^h  the  wood  to  the  meet- 
ing about  the  time  the  people  were  beginning  to  disperse.  They 
were  expecting  us,  and  as  soon  as  they  saw  me,  they  returned,  and 
I  heard  a  shout  of  joy,  and  the  voice  of  thanksgiving.  This  touch- 
ed my  heart — 1  thought,  '  how  many  are  weary  of  liearing  the 
word ;  but  with  what  gladness  do  these  bn'thren  receive  a  s«'rvant 
of  the  Lord !'  When  I  entered,  the  house  was  full  of  people, 
nearly  all  of  whom  shook  liands  with  me,  and  several  wept.  Af- 
ter pr.aying  with  them,  I  returned  with  brother  lluckins.  He  was 
the  only  jireacher  of  the  Free-will  I^aptist  denomination  then  re- 
siding in  Upper  Canada.  A  nnival  had  commenced  among  them; 
three  had  been  converted,  and  three  or  four  were  seeking  the  Lord. 
In  the  evening  many  carae  to  our  lodging,  and  though  we  were 
much  fatigued,  they  woidd  not  be  satisfied  nor  separate,  till  they 
had  heard  a  short  discourse. 

Sabbath,  Oct.  14,  I  i)reached  with  them,  and  enjoyed  a  good  de- 
gree of  the  Spirit.  Some  were  awakened  to  seek  the  Savior,  and  a  few 
came  forward  for  prayer.  On  Tuesday  following,  I  held  a  meeting  at 
a  dwelling  house  in  another  neighborhood.  The  man  of  the  house 
and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  church :  they  told 
us,  that  from  a  late  examination  of  the  Scriptures,  they  were  con- 
vinced that  their  infant  baptism  was  not  authorized  by  God,  and 
that  now  they  believed  it  their  duty  to  be  baptized.  On  the  same 
day  I  returned  to  brother  lluckins',  spoke  to  a  considerable  assem- 
bly, and  seven  covenanted  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come.  Wednes- 
day evening,  brother  Straight  preached,  and  the  day  afler,  I  held 
another  meeting.  On  Friday,  I  was  called  to  visit  a  family  just 
bereaved  of  an  only  son,  three  years  of  age.  lie  was  suddenly 
killed  by  a  pole  which  rolled  from  a  log  fence.  The  parents  and 
others  wept  exceedingly,  and  while  I  addressed  them,  they  seem- 
ed scarcely  able  to  restrain  their  cries.  The  father  said,  he  consid- 
ered it  a  loud  call  to  him  to  be  also  ready,  and  that  he  wa^  resolv- 


DAVID    MAKKS. 


171 


they 


Ling  at 
house 
tolil 

0  con- 
,  uml 
same 

issem- 
flnes- 

1  held 
just 

denly 
ts  siiul 
seem- 
onsid- 
C3olv- 


0(1  to  nliey  it.  I  atl('U«l«'<l  the  ruiM'ral :  it  was  truly  n  time  of  weep- 
iii<;  and  tnonrnin^.  When  the  attendants  lic^ran  to  put  the  child 
into  the  cotlin,  the  mother  tor  a  Ion;;  time  could  not  he  |i<'i>iuided 
to  commit  her  son  to  the  "  narrow  house."  i>\w  cri«'d,  "()!  my 
son,  you  w«Te  pleasant."  This  scene  nnide  every  spectator  feel 
and  sy mpalhi/e. 

On  Satiinhiy  and  Sahltalh,  six  related  their  experience,  were 
liaptized,  and  added  to  the  church.  All  the  exeirises  were  hh'ss- 
ed  hy  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  Sahhath  evenin^r,  niany  s|M»ke  of 
the  dealings  of  (lod  with  them,  and  several  <if  the  anxious  said 
they  were  resolved  to  seek  the  Lord  till  death,  whether  they 
foun<l  ])eac<'  or  not. 

Monday,  Oct.  22,  I  hft  hrother  Strai;i;h*  in  London,  and  preach- 
ed in  Westminster:  two  came  forward  for  prayer.  The  next  day, 
I  h(  hi  a  nuM'tin;;  four  miles  south  of  the  Thames,  and  in  the  even- 
ing preached  in  Southw(dd.  The  latt«'r  meeting  was  very  s(demn. 
On<!  cried  for  mercyi  and  another  proniis(!d  to  kneel  and  pray  for 
a  season.  On  Wednes«lay  I  met  an  assembly  near  Dunwich,  the 
town  where  the  other  church  was  situated  that  we  had  come  to  vis- 
it. Several  of  the  brethren  were  at  the  meeting,  and  received  me 
very  affectionately.  After  speaking  more  than  an  hour,  on  less 
than  half  the  proj>ositions  of  my  text,  and  finding  that  my  strength 
failed,  I  ap[>ointed  a  meeting  for  the  next  day  to  iinish  my  sermon. 
The  Lord  gave  me  gr(!at  liberty,  and  nuuiy  wept.  On  Friday  I 
preached  on  })aek  street,  from  Ezekiel  3'3'Al  :  "Turn  ye,  turn  ye, 
from  your  evil  ways  ;  for  why  will  ye  die  ?"  I  think  that  I  never 
enjoyed  greater  liberty  than  on  this  occasion.  My  mouth  was  fill- 
ed with  arguments,  showing  the  sinner  his  evil  ways,  and  urging 
uiumswerable  reasons  why  he  should  turn  and  live.  The  solemn 
weight  of  eternal  things  seemed  to  rest  on  the  assembly,  and  sev- 
eral were  almost,  if  not  altogether,  persuaded  to  be  Christians. 
Next  morning  several  came  to  the  house  where  I  spent  the  night, 
and  we  enjoyed  a  melting  happy  season  in  prayer.  Four  entered 
into  an  engagement  to  seek  the  Lord.  In  the  evening,  the  Free- 
will Baptist  church  assembled  for  covenant  meeting.  It  consisted 
of  twenty  members,  and  though  they  had  been  destitute  of  preaeli- 
ing  nearly  a  year,  they  were  well  united.  Several  of  the  Calvin- 
istic  Baptists  and  their  minister  were  present,  and  spoke  in  the 
Spirit.  Such  unity  prevailed  in  the  meeting,  that  though  many  of 
different  denominations  took  an  active  part,  a  stranger  could  dis- 
cover no  difference  in  their  sentiments. 

Sabbath,  Oct.  28,  I  spoke  two  hours  and  twenty  minutes  in  Dun- 
wich with  unusual  freedom,  and  in  the  evening  preached  again  to 
a  crowded  and  solemn  audience.  Several  manifested  a  desire  to 
become  reconciled  to  God.     The  next  day  I  held  two  meetings : 


'ii 


Ml 

I'     ■    .  J 


'   o  ■    'Hit 


n-iw? 


11);' 


172 


MEMOIRS    OF 


the  latter  was  in  the  east  part  of  SouthwoUl,  and  a  most  solemn 
and  j)owerful  thne.  Nearly  the  whole  Jissembly  eame  forward  for 
prayer.  On  the  day  following,  I  faced  a  tedious  storm  ten  or  twelve 
miles  to  an  appointment  in  Westminster.  Only  one  person  attend- 
ed ;  I  prayed  with  him,  then  went  to  the  river  Thames  and  attend- 
ed a  meeting,  but  had  a  dark,  trying  time.  Still  I  believed  that 
trials  would  work  for  my  good. 

On  Wednesday,  I  returned  to  London  and  preached  in  the  even- 
ing. Nearly  the  whole  assembly  confessed  Christ,  one  of  whom 
found  comfort  during  my  absence.  The  next  day  I  attend(id  a 
meeting  with  brother  S.  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Shoff.  He  spoke  as 
a  penitent  and  several  others  said  they  were  resolved  to  attend  im- 
mediately to  the  duty  they  owed  their  Maker.  Friday,  I  preached 
to  a  few  in  the  east  part  of  the  town,  all  of  whom  arose  for  prayer. 
I  held  a  meeting  the  day  following  in  the  vicinity  of  the  revival, 
and  one,  on  relating  her  experience,  was  received  for  baptism. 

Sunday,  Nov.  4,  1827.  This  day  concludes  twenty-two  years 
of  my  life.  I  have  endeavored  to  return  humble  thanks  to  my 
Heavenly  Father  for  past  mercies  and  firmly  to  resolve  that  my 
dedication  to  Him  shall  be  entire,  that  I  will  strive  for  victory 
over  all  sjn.  All  the  particulars  of  this  resolution  I  have  written 
this  day  ;  and  promised  before  the  Lord,  to  read  them  daily  for  at 
least  one  month.  At  ten  o'clock  I  preached  at  the  house  of  broth- 
er Huckins  in  London,  and  baptized  four  converts.  In  the  after- 
noon we  came  to  the  table  of  the  Lord,  and  sat  togetl\,er  in  a  heav- 
enly place  in  Christ.  The  day  following,  w^e  held  another  meet- 
ing, and  nearly  all  spoke  of  the  goodness  of  the  Lord.  On  Tues- 
day, I  preached  two  or  three  miles  east  of  the  revival,  to  about  for- 
ty, who  covenanted  to  seek  and  serve  God ;  but  some,  I  feared,  did 
not  realize  their  obligation,  othei's  appeared  to  be  truly  pen- 
itent. Wednesday,  Nov.  7,  I  preached  a  farewell  discourse 
ft'om  2  Cor.  13:11:  ^^  Finally,  brethren,  fareioell.  Be  perfect,  he  of 
good  comf&rt,  he  of  one  mind,  live  in  peace  ;  and  the  God  of  love 
and  peace  shall  he  with  youP  After  the  exercises  closed,  three 
professed  to  have  found  Christ,  and  two  of  them  requested  to  be 
baptized  before  I  went  away.  As  I  had  made  appointments  at 
Dunwich,  not  expecting  to  return  to  London,  I  had  not  now  time 
to  baptize  ;  so  I  concluded  to  meet  my  engagements,  and  then  re- 
turn. 

Proceeding  to  Dunwich,  I  preached  by  the  way  in  Westminster 
and  Southwold.  On  the  Sabbath,  our  assembly  in  Dunwich  was 
said  to  be  larger  than  had  ever  before  been  in  this  township.  It 
pleased  the  Savior  to  favor  me  with  unusual  liberty,  and  I  believe 
the  Holy  Spirit  searched  the  congregation.  In  the  afternoon,  Je- 
sus made  himself  known  to  us  "  in  breaking  of  bread."     After  this 


W\ 


DAVID   MARKS. 


173 


I  held  three  meetings,  and  thought  the  seasons  were  profitable.  I 
preached  in  the  east  part  of  Southwold  again,  and  rejoiced  to  find 
that  tlie  solemn  concern  manifested  in  my  second  meeting  had  not 
abated. 

Friday  I  returned  to  London,  held  a  meeting  in  the  evening, 
and  one  the  next  day.  Six  related  their  experience,  and  were  re- 
ceived for  baptism.  In  the  evening,  for  the  first  time,  I  heard 
brother  Straight  preach  a  sermon  with  much  satisfaction.  Sabbath, 
Nov.  18,  the  assembly  was  large  for  this  town,  and  after  sermon, 
the  six  candidates  were  baptized,  rejoicing  in  the  Lord.  One  of 
them,  a  man  in  his  seventieth  year,  had  been  confined  by  sickness 
for  a  year  past,  and  was  brought  to  the  meeting  on  a  sled.  He 
went  into  the  water  as  though  he  enjoyed  the  strength  of  youth, 
and  came  out  happy.  This  was  a  remarkable  hour,  lleaven  smil- 
ed, and  glory  seemed  to  shine  on  the  candidates,  on  the  congrega- 
tion, on  the  water,  and,  indeed,  on  all  things  around.  As  the  peo- 
ple returned  from  the  water,  the  saints  sung  with  such  melody,  that 
it  seemed  almost  as  though  the  New  Jerusalem  had  come  down  out 
of  heaven.  In  the  evening  brother  Huckins  preached,  saints  re- 
joiced much,  and  sinners  wept  bitterly.  How  striking  the  contrast ! 
The  more  of  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  there  is  present,  the  more 
saints  will  rejoice,  and  the  more  sinners  will  mourn.  In  this  meet- 
ing, five  solemnly  promised  to  seek  the  Lord  till  they  should  find 
remission  of  sins.  I  remained  a  week  longer  in  London,  and  held 
meetings  nearly  every  day  which  were  attended  with  much  inter- 
est, particularly  on  the  Sabbath.  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  was  man- 
ifested in  a  powerful  manner,  and  the  word  seemed  to  cut  to  the 
heart  of  every  sinner  present.  I  baptized  the  wife  of  the  man 
aged  seventy,  that  was  baptized  the  Sabbath  previous.  She  waa 
sixty-eight  years  of  age,  and  within  four  or  five  days  had  experi- 
enced a  change  of  heart. 

Monday,  Nov.  26,  I  preached  again  and  bid  the  people  farewell. 
It  was  a  very  solemn  season.  One  backslider  humbly  entreated 
the  forgiveness  of  his  brethrpn  whom  he  had  grieved.  Next  morn- 
ing, a  little  after  the  dawn  of  day,  the  brethren  began  to  assemble 
at  the  house  where  I  spent  the  night,  notwithstanding  I  had  bid 
them  farewell,  and  continued  to  come  till  nine  o'clock,  when  near- 
ly the  whole  church  and  several  others  were  present.  Some  wept 
all  the  morning.  As  I  was  about  to  say  to  them,  in  the  language 
of  the  apostle,  "  What  mean  ye  to  weep  and  to  break  my  heart  ?*' 
brother  Huckins  said,  "  Brother  David,  you  are  now  going  away — 
here  are  souls  near  the  kingdom  of  God,  that  probably  will  soon 
be  converted  and  wish  to  be  baptized.  Who  shall  baptize  them  ?" 
When  I  considered  their  state,  how  they  were  without  a  shepherd, 
I  could  but  weep  with  them,  and  an  earnest  cry  arose  in  my  heart 
15* 


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174 


MEMOIRS   OF 


that  the  Lord  would  send  more  faithful  laborers  into  the  harvest. 
Aflcr  uniting  in  prayer,  tliey  sung  a  hymn  suited  to  the  occasion, 
and  our  parting  was  very  affecting  and  solemn.  When  I  was  out 
of  hearing,  I  gave  vent  to  my  feelings  in  an  adjacent  wood,  and 
wept  aloud.  Here  I  prayed  for  the  dear  brethren  in  Canada, 
that  God  would  enlarge  their  bordere,  till  the  "  spreading  vine  of 
low  stature"  should  extend  over  the  province.  I  had  spent  more 
than  six  weeks  in  these  parts,  baptized  seventeen  in  London,  and 
the  church  had  increased  to  forty-four.  The  church  in  London  is 
situated  thirty  miles  north  of  lake  Erie,  and  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  miles  west  of  Niagara  river.  Though  they  had  no  ad- 
ministrator, they  lived  in  great  union,  walking  in  the  order  and  dis- 
cipline of  the  gospel.  Several  of  their  women  were  much  devot- 
ed to  the  Lord. 

Brother  Straight  and  some  others  joining  me,  accomp.anied  me 
on  my  way  to  the  river  Thames,  where  I  parted  with  brother  S., 
he  having  concluded  to  spend  the  winter  in  Canada.  I  proceeded 
to  Oxford,  and  after  considerable  entreaty,  I  consented  to  preach, 
an<l  went  to  the  house  of  Elder  James  Harris,  a  Free  Communion 
IJaptist,  where  I  met  a  kind  reception.  In  the  evening  I  held  a 
meeting  at  his  house,  and  to  the  praise  of  God  we  had  a  precious 
season.  Several  were  awakened,  and  came  forward  for  prayer. 
Some  of  these  never  rested  till  they  obtained  a  lio[)e  in  God.  I 
had  designed  leaving  in  the  morning,  but  being  earnestly  persuad- 
ed, I  staid  the  day  and  held  two  meetings.  I  felt  thankful  for 
these  refreshing  interviews.  Sabbath  I  preached  three  sermons  in 
Blenheim.  Continuing  my  journey,  1  {)assed  thr(m;jfh  Ancaster, 
and  on  Tuesday  evening  preached  at  Salt  Fleet.  The  Spirit  of 
the  Lord  searched  the  assembly,  sinners  wept,  and  saints  shouted 
for  joy.  After  meeting,  several  came  to  my  lodginir,  and  with 
tears  entreated  me  to  labor  with  them  a  few  days.  But  thinking 
duty  called  me,  1  proceeded  on  my  way,  and  on  Dec.  0,  left  the 
province.  I  had  spent  more  than  two  months  in  Canada,  and  tra\  - 
elled  five  hundred  miles.  The  people  generally  were  kind  and 
liberal.  Though  among  strangers,  and  often  ladL'ing  at  public 
houses,  my  expenses,  besides  some  repairs,  had  not  amounted  to 
fifty  cents. 

Continuing  my  journey  eastward,  I  held  a  few  meetings  in  dif- 
ferent towns,  and  found  the  work  of  revival  hsul  commenced  in 
some  of  the  churches  of  the  Bethany  quarterly  meeting,  particu- 
larly in  Byron.  I  attended  a  session  of  the  Ontario  quarterly 
meeting  in  Sodus,  on  the  15th  and  16th  of  the  month,  which  was  a 
melting  sejvson.  Sodus  has  of\en  been  blessed  with  such  seasons; 
and  would  to  God  that  her  Christians,  and  all  others  that  have 
tasted  that  the  Lord  is  good  and  gracious,  would  remember  his 


DAVID   HARKS. 


175 


ft  i\w 

tra\- 

d  and 

)ublic 

(•(1  to 


kindness,  and  follow  hiin  with  all  the  heart.  On  my  return  to 
Canandaigua,  I  was  affectionately  received,  and  held  two  meetings. 
Here  1  heard  heavy  tidings — the  death  of  El<ler  Abel  Thornton. 
He  died  on  the  12th  of  May,  1827,  worn  out  in  the  morning  of 
life  by  his  miweaiied  labors  ibr  Zion. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Particulars  of  my   Travels  and  Labors  from  Dec.  1827,  to  May, 

1828, 

Having  been  appointed  by  the  Ontario  quarterly  meeting,  I  vis- 
ited a  revival  in  the  north  part  of  Scriba,  a  town  situated  on  the 
south  shore  of  lake  Ontario,  about  eighty  miles  from  Ctmandaigua. 
A  small  church  had  been  gathered  in  the  south  {<  irt  of  tiu;  towi, 
about  seven  years  previous.  At  this  time  they  luul  hut  nine  mem- 
bers. I  understood  the  revival  commenced  three  months  before, 
under  the  laboi*s  of  an  unordaini'd  i)reacher,  and  that  at  that  time 
there  was  but  one  praying  man  in  the  n(/ighburho(>(l.  Twelve  or 
fifteen  had  now  obtained  a  hope,  several  wanderers  had  returned  to 
their  Hrst  love,  and  Christians  in  adjacent  neighborhoods  were  r(?- 
vived.  Sabbath  breakcu's  and  the  ojienly  immoral  liad  reformed, 
and  now  attended  at  the  house  of  fJod. 

On  January  1,  1828,  the  salutation  of  friend  to  friend.  "I  wish 
you  a  happy  new  year,"  was  quite  frequent,  liut  to  some  in  Scri- 
ba this  wa.s  emphatically  a  nev;  year.  Old  thinys  had  passed  away, 
and  all thinys  had  become  neiv  :  and  they  couhl  say  this  Wiis  the 
only  happy  New  Year's  d;i,y  they  had  ever  seen.  At  fen  o'clock, 
A.  M.  several  of  the  brethren  and  converts,  with  myself,  met  with 
the  Methodists  in  an  adjacent  town,  and  w<'re  atVictionately  wel- 
comed. I  preached  a  tit-course,  and  many  spoke  of  th«i  joy  they 
had  found  in  the  Spvlor,  and  covenanted  to  dedicate  themselves  to 
Him  with  new  engagedness.  In  the  evi^iing  we  had  a  profitable 
meeting  in  Scriba.  T  eral  solenndy  covenanted  to  spend  the  year 
in  the  service  of  the  Lord.  I  wius  told  by  several  persons,  that 
while  they  wen;  retuniing  fj-om  worship,  they  heard  the  voice  of 
singing  in  the  air.  The  sky  wjis  clear,  and  they  said  the  singing 
appeared  to  be  very  high,  and  the  most  m(  lodious  of  any  music 
they  had  ever  heard,  and  continued  directly  over  their  heads  while 
they  travelled  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile.     A  non-professor  that 


■  >;„ 


II 


M 


176 


MEMOIRS    OF 


heard  it,  was  alarmed,  believing  it  was  the  voice  of  angels,  and  be- 
gan to  repent  of  his  sins.  From  this  time  the  work  revived  anew. 
Many  forsook  their  sins  and  called  on  the  name  of  the  Lord.  He 
heard  the  cries  of  the  penitent,  and  sent  salvation  to  the  broken- 
hearted. Then  did  Zion  rejoice  with  "joy  and  glailness,  and  sor- 
row and  sighing"  fled  away. 

I  continued  laboring  in  Scriba  for  one  month,  and  rejoiced  to  see 
the  work  of  the  Lord  spread  so  gloriously.  Sabbath,  Jan.  6,  1828, 
after  preaching,  I  bai)tized  seven,  and  the  next  day  gave  the  right 
hand  of  fellowship  to  a  small  band  of  brethren,  as  a  branch  of  the 
church  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  They  were  organize  d  the 
same  as  a  church,  and  did  their  own  business  in  the  same  manner : 
shortly  afterwards  they  became  distinct,  and  were  called  the  second 
Free-will  Baptist  church  in  Scriba.  Before  the  month  closed,  1 
baptized  eleven  more.  These,  with  two  or  three  others,  were  ad- 
ded to  the  church,  and  all  appeared  well  united  and  happy. 

Sabbath,  Jan.  20,  I  preached  three  lengthy  sermons,  and  retired 
much  exhausted.  For  three  weeks  I  had  spoken  upon  an  average 
between  three  and  four  hours  in  a  day.  A  httle  past  midnight,  1 
was  taken  ill,  and  raised  fresh  blood  very  fast,  till  my  strength  fail- 
ed. A  death-like  feeling  seized  me,  and  I  expected  to  depart  this 
life  immediately.  I  reviewed  the  doctrine  I  hjid  preached,  and  the 
manner  in  which  I  had  spent  my  time — I  found  nothing  to  regret, 
except  that  I  had  not  been  more  humble,  spiritual,  and  faithful  in 
my  calling.  I  thought  of  my  friends — I  was  willing  to  leave  them, 
believing  that  we  should  meet  in  a  better  world.  1  examined  my 
evidences  of  acceptance  with  God — through  grace  they  were 
briglit  as  the  sun,  and  tliis  was  one  of  the  happiest  hours  I  had  ev- 
er seen.  There  seemed  but  one  step  between  me  and  heaven. 
And  now,  with  feelings  that  I  had  never  before  conceived,  I  con- 
templated meeting  the  prophets,  the  apostles,  the  army  of  the  re- 
deemed, and  my  blessed  Savior  in  glory.  But  when,  in  my  feel- 
ings I  had  bid  my  friends  and  the  world  farewell — and  my  soul 
was  ravished  by  the  anticipation  of  an  immediate  admission  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven,  my  thoughts  turned  to  a  world  of  sinners,  ex- 
|)Osed  to  hell.  They,  and  they  only,  seemed  to  invite  my  stay  in 
the  world.  Something  whispered,  "  Wilt  thou  still  go  and  warn 
them  f"  Pity  moved  my  soul-  -I  wc^pt  for  them  and  said,  "  Yes. 
Lord,  I  will  go  and  team  them  as  long  as  it  shall  be  thy  will,  if  it 
be  etmi  forty  years."  At  this  moment  it  seemed  as  though  the  at- 
tendant angel  was  commanded  to  recall  the  warrant  of  death.  Im- 
mediately I  began  to  amend,  imd  in  a  few  days  ray  strength  was 
restored. 

About  the  30th  of  Jan.  I  preached  my  farewell  discourse  in  Scri- 
ba, and  to  many  it  was  a  solemn  time.    Fifteen  or  twenty  had  been 


IK 
W 
ft' 


DAVID   MARKS. 


177 


hopefully  converted  during  the  month,  and  a  considerable  number 
were  still  under  conviction.  After  visitinj^  and  preaching  in  dif- 
ferent towns,  1  returned  to  Canandaigua,  spent  a  few  days,  and  en- 
joyed some  good  meetings. 

Wednesday,  Feb.  20,  I  left  Canandaigua  to  visit  the  Owego  and 
Gibson  quarterly  meetings,  and  on  the  way  to  Middlesex,  my  mind 
was  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  salvation  from  all  sin.  The 
commandment  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  Matt.  5:48,  "  Be  ye  therefore  juv' 
feet,  even  as  your  leather  which  is  in  heaven  is  perfect"  came  with 
power  into  my  soul.  And  remembering  tlu?  declaration  of  the 
apostle,  1  John  5:3,  "  His  commandments  are  not  yrievous"  my 
unbelief  fled  away,  and  faith  said,  '  God's  ways  are  eijual,  and  his 
requirements  just.'  "  AVhosoever  therefore  shall  break  one  of  these 
least  commandments,  and  shall  teach  men  so,  he  shall  be  called  the 
least  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven."  Matt.  5:10.  Then  the  following 
queries  arose,  '  if  he  shall  be  least,  who  practices  and  teaches  con- 
trary to  the  least  of  Christ's  commandments,  Avhat  will  be  the  fate 
of  him  who  not  only  violates,  but  teaches  contrary  to  the  greatest 
commandment  ?  And  what  commandment  is  greater  than  this,  to 
be  pert'ect,  even  as  our  Father  in  heaven  is  perfect?  How  then 
dare  I,  a  vessel  of  the  Lord's  sanctuary,  that  ought  to  be  holy  in 
body  and  in  spirit,  live  in  sin  ? — and,  like  sati  •  ,  bring  Scripture  to 
justify  my  iniquity,  or  screen  my  guilty  conscience?  AVhen  I 
preach  to  sinners  that  they  should  "  repent,"  do  they  not  quote  the 
words  of  Christ  to  justify  themselves,  "  Without  me  ye  can  do  noth- 
ing T  And  were  I  to  preach  to  Christians  that  they  should  be 
"  perfect,"  would  they  not  say,  "  There  is  not  a  just  man  upon 
earth,  that  doeth  good,  and  sinneth  not  ?" '  After  reflecting  on  the 
above  queries,  the  conviction  settled  into  my  soul,  as  if  from  heav- 
en, that  these  Scriptures  are  as  unjustly  misapplied,  as  that  quoted 
by  the  tempter.  Matt.  4:6,  "  Cast  thyself  down :  for  it  is  Avritten,  He 
shall  give  his  angels  charge  concerning  thee,"  &c.  Now  it  is  cer- 
tain that  satan  did  act  himself  in  reciting  this  text :  he  seemed  to 
have  holy  Scripture  directly  to  the  point  tliat  he  wished  to  gain. 
So,  alas !  it  is  a  fact,  and  my  blood  chills  at  the  reflection,  that  sin- 
7iers,  and  even  saints,  often  quote  Scripture  as  satan  did,  and  make 
an  application  equally  erroneous,  to  justify  their  living  in  sin. 
'And  thou,  my  soul,  be  humbled  exceedingly  before  God;  for 
alas !  thou  also,  since  Heaven  forgave  thee  all,  hast  recited  and  ap- 
plied Scripture  to  justify  thyself;  as  though  those  who  are  redeem- 
ed from  sin  could  not  help  living  in  sin !  Hast  thou  found  that 
the  death  of  Christ  was  not  sufllcient  to  enable  his  children  to  be- 
come like  iVafhaniel,  ^^  an  Israelite  indeed,  in  whom  is  no  guile?" 
O  be  thou  abased  exceedingly,  for  thou  hast  applied  the  word  of 
God  like  unto  satan,  to  content  thyself  without  entire  victory  over 


rj 


I' ■ '' 


B' 


''■'.a 


178 


MEMOIRS    OF 


sin.  How  vain  was  tliy  thought,  tliat  death,  the  ojfspn'nf/  of  siit, 
shouM  in  any  way  sai-e  thee,  or  Jit  thoc  fbi*  lioavon.  If  the  hlood 
of  Jesus  have  not  the  cleansing  i)ower  to  perfect  thee  for  glory, 
how  shall  death  lit  thee  for  the  better  world  ?'  From  these  reflec- 
tions 1  sunk  into  nothing  before  God,  and  turning  aside  into  a  wood, 
I  fell  on  my  face,  and  called  on  the  Lord, — and,  blessed  be  his 
name,  I  felt  resolved  in  his  strength  to  strive  to  live  without  sin, 
and  "  follow  the  Lamb  whithersoever  he  goeth." 

A  large  number  {isssembled  at  my  appointment  in  Middlesex.  I 
spoke  from  Col.  2:G,  "  As  ye  have  therefore  received  Christ  Jestis 
the  Lord,  so  ivalk  ye  in  Him."  I  endeavored  to  urge  the  necessity 
of  Christian  perfection,  and,  to  the  praise  of  God,  we  had  a  good 
time.  On  Saturday,  an  appointment  on  a  council  called  me  to 
Benton.  In  the  evening,  the  council  adjourned  while  I  gave  a  dis- 
course, and  then  sat  till  three  in  the  morning.  Sabbath  I  s[)oke  to 
an  attentive  assembly  in  Benton,  from  Acts  9:29,  "  And  he  spake 
boldly  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  disputed  against  the 
Grecians ;  but  they  went  about  to  slay  him."  In  the  illustration 
of  the  text,  I  noticed,  first,  the  great  controversy  between  the  wick- 
ed and  righteous,  error  and  truth,  darkness  and  light,  the  enemy  of 
all  righteousness  and  "  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth ;"  secondly,  the 
character  of  the  disputants ;  thirdly,  the  position  and  arguments  of 
those  engaged  in  the  controversy — the  resort  of  the  wicked  to  per- 
secution in  support  of  their  cause,  when  repulsed  by  sound  argu- 
ment— and  the  final  victory  of  the  Son  of  God. 

Proceeding  on  my  way,  I  crossed  Seneca  lake,  and  held  a  meet- 
ing in  Dryden.  Thursday,  I  stopped  at  a  Methodist  prayer  meet- 
ing, and  the  brethren  would  have  me  preach.  Soon,  some  wept 
aloud,  others  shouted,  and  two  lost  their  strength.  Eight  came  for- 
ward for  prayer,  and  four  of  them  covenanted  to  kneel  and  pray 
thrice  a  day,  like  the  good  prophet  Daniel,  for  three  weeks.  I 
passed  through  Owego  to  Apalachian  creek,  and  Sabbath,  March 
2d,  held  two  or  three  meetings.  Several  appeared  to  be  serious, 
and  seven  or  eight  came  forward  for  |)rayer.  During  the  week  fol- 
lowing, I  attended  six  meetings  in  Gibson,  Pa.  and  in  towns  in  the 
vicinity.  On  Monday  evening,  March  10,  I  had  an  appointment 
in  Owego,  N.  Y.  Night  came  on,  and  losing  my  road,  I  Avander- 
ed  some  time  in  the  dark  ;  but  at  length  I  arrived  at  the  meeting, 
and  enjoyed  much  freedom  in  speaking.  My  nctt:t  meeting  was  on 
Owego  creek  ;  oidy  ten  persons  attended,  but  we  found  that  the 
presence  of  the  Lord  is  not  confined  to  a  multitude.  Wednesday, 
I  went  to  Candor,  in  which  town  I  had  an  appcintment  in  the  even- 
ing ;  but  it  being  very  unpleasant,  and  the  travelling  bad,  some 
advised  me  not  to  go  to  the  appointment,  thinking  that  none  would 
attend.     So  I  consented ;   but  soon  feeling  uneasy,    I  went  two 


■ 


DAVID    MARKS. 


179 


miles  to  the  mectinp^,  and  found  a  considerable  assem])ly,  and  we 
enjoyed  a  precious  season. 

Thursday,  IVIareh  13,  I  met  a  crowded  assembly  in  the  place, 
where,  two  weeks  before,  eight  came  forward  for  prjiyer.  One  of 
the  numb(!r  was  now  happy.  The  Lord  enabled  me  to  speak  with 
power.  Near  the  close,  1  told  the  assembly  the  Lord  had  express- 
ly commanded  them  to  choose  without  delay  whom  they  would 
serve — yea,  that  they  should  choose  to  serve  the  Lord.  (See 
Deut.  30:19  ;  Josh.  24:15  ;  Acts  3:19  ;  17:30  ;  Heb.  3:7,  8  ;  Matt. 
4:17  ;  0:33.)  And  further,  as  Moses  caused  a  division  among  the 
people,  Ex.  32:2G,  that  it  might  be  known  who  was  on  the  Lord's 
side,  so  I  requested  the  people  to  make  their  choice,  "  and  show 
their  deeds,"  reminding  them  that  "  nothing  is  secret  Oiat  shall  not 
be  made  manifest."  Luke  8:17.  I  further  said  to  them,  if  they 
secretly  chose  to  put  off  repentanc«>,  it  would  W  in  reality  to  choose 
satan  for  their  master,  and  would  thus  be  recorded  in  the  book  of 
remembrance  ;  and  that  if  they  chose  to  serve  the  Lord  secretly, 
^/<!«/ secrecy  is  forbidden,  Matt.  5:16,  16,  and  would  be  marked  as 
disobedience  by  the  displeasure  of  the  Almighty.  About  the  whole 
assembly  arose  to  manifest  that  they  would  seek  and  serve  God. 
I  reminded  them  that  their  covenant  was  registered  in  heaven,  and 
that  "  God  shall  bring  every  work  into  judgment ;"  we  then  joined 
in  prayer.  "  But  some  man  will  say,"  '  they  may  bi'eidc  their  cov- 
enant— and  in  that  case  it  will  be  worse  than  it  would  have  been 
if  they  had  not  covenanted.'  The  first  is  true  ;  but  the  latter  may 
be  doubted,  for  had  they  not  chosen  the  Lord,  they  must  have 
chosen  sin.  And  which  is  the  good  choice  ?  To  refuse  to  do  right, 
for  fear  that  we  shall  do  wrong,  is  to  give  up  ourselves  altogether 
to  work  iniquity.  Our  obligation  to  God  is  infinite,  therefore  our 
promise  cannot  increase  our  duty.  The  use  of  a  vow  is,  to  make 
ourselves  sensible  of  our  obligation.  Hence,  first,  it  is  good  to  vow 
unto  the  Lord  ;   and,  secondly,  to  pay  that  w  hich  we  have  vowed. 

On  Friday  I  spoke  in  Dryden  to  a  few,  principally  non-profes- 
sors. The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  was  present,  but  I  feared  the  great- 
er part  knev  not  "the  time  of  th(;ir  visitation."  Alas  !  what  mul- 
titudes are  h  jedless  of  their  preci">us  day  till  it  closes  in  eternal 
night!  O  my  God,  have  mercy  on  '..in  before  their  sun  shall  set. 
Sabbath,  March  IG,  I  went  to  an  appu"!u;nent  of  Elder  A.  Daniels, 
in  Virgil,  and,  being  invited,  |)reacho(i  to  the  people.  As  I  was 
about  leaving  the  place,  a  brother  gave  me  a  dollar.  I  was  told 
that  a  little  before,  a  minister,  who  was  a  poor  man,  after  preach- 
ing a  sermon,  seated  himself  shivering  with  the  cold,  and  this  liioth- 
er  took  off  a  new  great  coat  and  put  it  around  him.  When  the 
preacher  returned  it,  he  toUl  him  he  tiad  given  it  to  him,  and  he 
himself  would  wear  his  old  one  another  year.     "  The  liberal  devi- 


in 


rrl 


-  ''J 


180 


MEMOIRS   0^ 


3 


mm 


ii':.-  i! 


seth  liberal  things  ;  and  by  liberal  thinj^s  shall  he  stand."  An  un- 
converted young  man  also  gave  me  half"  a  dollar. 

In  the  seven  days  following,  I  attended  two  meetings  in  Spafford, 
two  in  Fabius,  and  one  in  Camillus,  four  in  Conquest,  and  one  in 
Cato.  Some  of  these  were  very  solemn  seasons.  In  the  latter, 
nearly  all  the  assembly  manifested  by  standing  up,  that  they  would 
ehoos(!  the  Lord  for  their  God.  I  feared,  however,  that  some  had  not 
become  sufficiently  humbled  to  persevere  in  their  duty :  others  were 
deeply  affected,  and  I  hoped  they  would  bring  forth  fruit  unto  eter- 
nal life.     Af\er  holding  another  meeting,  I  went  to  Junius. 

I  was  never  more  gladly  received  than  at  this  time.  My  friends 
had  heard  and  believed  that  T  was  dead  ;  and  now  when  they  be- 
held my  face,  they  seemed  to  view  me  as  one  that  had  arisen  from 
the  grave.  On  Thursday  I  had  a  very  distressing  cough,  yet  I 
rode  ten  miles  to  Waterloo,  and  spoke  to  a  few.  Here  I  met  a 
younger  brother.  He  w.as  greatly  surprised  on  seeing  me,  and 
wept  profusely.  After  the  meeting,  he  took  me  a'^ide  and  told  me 
he  was  resolved  to  seek  the  Lord,  and  the  next  day  covenanted 
with  me  to  perform  his  resolution.  After  holding  a  meeting  in  the 
west  part  of  Junius,  I  went  to  Canandnigua.  My  friends  in  this 
place  had  also  heard  that  I  was  dead,'  and  had  withdrawn  my  ap- 
pointments. I  met  with  brother  Straight,  who  was  recently  from 
Upper  Canada.  He  infoiTned  me  that  a  large  number  in  South- 
wold  and  Dunwich,  that  came  forward  for  prayer  during  my  stay 
in  those  places,  had  been  converted,  and  were  now  waiting  an  op- 
portunity for  baptism ;  and  that  he  had  come  with  a  request  for 
me  to  visit  them  immediately.  These  tidings  were  "  as  cold  water 
to  a  thirsty  soul  ;**  but  having  engagements  for  several  weeks,  I 
could  not  go  directly — so  I  sent  appointments  into  the  province  for 
the  ensuing  May.  Brother  Straight  wa.s  soon  after  set  apart  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  and  returned  to  Canada. 

Sabbath,  April  13,  I  preached  twice  in  Byron.  In  the  first 
meeting,  several  manifested  their  resolution  to  choose  the  Lord  for 
their  portion.  God  had  lately  visited  his  people  in  Byron  :  Chris- 
tians were  engaged,  and  several  ha<l  been  converted.  The  breth- 
ren entreated  me  to  remain,  but  duty  would  not  permit.  Next 
day  I  went  to  Batavia,  but  indisposition  prevented  me  from  hold- 
ing a  meeting.  A  severe  cough,  that  had  sometime  affected  me, 
still  continued  violent,  and  had  much  reduced  my  strength.  Thus 
infirmity  attends  me  in  this  world  ;  but,  glory  to  God,  for  the  grace 
that  assures  my  soul  of  immortality.  Tuesday  and  Wednesday,  I 
attended  meetings  in  Alexander,  Attica,  and  on  the  town  line  of 
Alexander  and  Bethany.  In  the  latter  place  was  a  glorious  revi- 
val, and  nearly  the  whole  assembly  manifested  a  resolution  to  serve 
the  Lord.     I  preached  at  Canandaigua  on  the  Sabbath,  and  attend- 


DAVID   MARKS. 


181 


he  first 
ord  for 
Chris- 
j  brcth- 
Next 
n  hold- 
ted  me, 
Thus 
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line  of 
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to  serve 
attend- 


i 


I 


i'x\  a  conference  meeting.  The  state  of  religion  wafl  rather  low,  jet 
several  wept  for  Zion. 

In  tlie  hitter  part  of  April,  after  holding  meetings  in  several 
towns,  I  miwle  another  visit  to  Scriba.  Tlu^  converts  reniaine*! 
steadfiist  and  generally  well  engaged.  Sev<'ral  that  covenanted  to 
seek  the  Lord  when  I  left  the  j)Iac(',  had  been  brought  into  liberty. 
I  was  considerably  affected  by  the  sudden  death  of  a  young  man, 
thnt  in  my  former  visit  often  attende<l  my  meetings,  and  was  some- 
times seriously  exercised.  Yet  he  delayed  seeking  ihe  Lord.  1 
was  informed  that  the  day  for  his  marriage  ha<l  been  appoiiite<l ; 
but  three  or  four  days  before  the  time,  while  in  company  with  the 
friend  of  his  choice,  ami  apparently  in  health,  he  suddenly  put  his 
hand  to  his  head,  and  cri(Ml  out  bitterly.  Immediately  he  became 
deranged,  and  died  in  a  little  time.  The  wedding  festivities  were 
changed  to  the  solemnities  of  a  ftmeral.  Thus  are  the  hopes  of 
this  workl  blasted,  and  thus  the  gay  and  thoughtless  forget  God — 
refuse  to  be  wise,  and  are  unprepared  for  eternity.  In  a  little  more 
than  a  week,  I  held  about  ten  meetings  in  Scriba  and  the  adjacent 
towns.     Some  of  them  were  quite  solemn  and  refrcLdiing. 

On  Saturday,  May  3,  a  two-days'  meeting  commenced  in  a  bam 
at  Scriba.  I  spoke  from  1  Thess.  5:19,  and  enjoyed  great  free- 
dom. Many  exhortations  were  given  in  quick  succession.  Nine 
dissenters  from  the  Calvinistic  Baptist  church  in  New  Haven,  re- 
quested by  letter,  that  they  might  be  constituted  a  church  in  fellow- 
ship with  our  denomination.  As  I  could  not,  some  other  preachers 
shortly  after  attended  to  their  request.  The  Sabbath  was  pleas- 
ant. I  addressed  six  or  seven  hundred  an  hour  and  three  quar- 
ters, from  Ezekiel  36:25,  *'  l^hen  will  I spnnkle  clean  water  upon 
f/oit"  &c  After  this,  three  related  their  experience,  and  were 
haptlzed.  Among  these  was  a  widow,  whose  husband,  a  captain 
of  a  vessel  on  lake  Erie,  was  lost  about  a  year  before  with  his 
crew  and  passengers,  amotmting  to  the  number  of  sixt<!(^n  pei*sons. 
During  the  revival  the  winter  previous,  she  was  constant  in  her 
attendance  of  iry  meetings,  and  at  length  came  forward  with  the 
anxious.  Like  Lydia,  her  heart  was  opened,  and  she  opened  her 
house  for  meetings.  It  had  pleased  the  Lord  to  comfort  her  soul 
with  his  salvation,  and  this  was  a  day  of  gladness.  After  baptism, 
we  collected  on  a  pleasant  green,  near  the  bank  of  the  stream,  and 
partook  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  The  heavens  seemed  to  "  drop 
flown  new  wine,"  and  the  songs  of  the  converts  rung  with  such 
holy  rapture,  that  I  exclaimed  in  my  heart, 

This  pbice  ii"  like  elvsinn  flcldB 
That  lie  o'er  Jordan'^  flood. 

In  the  ev(;ning,  I  spoke  to  a  considerable  assembly   in  the  south 
part  of  Scriba.     The  Lord  gave  mc  freedom,  and  filled  my  heart 
16 


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182 


MEMOIRS   OF 


with  gratitude  for  the  good  Hhown  me  this  day.  After  this  I  at- 
tended two  mci^tingH  in  Cato,  one  on  a  futieral  oceaaion,  and  held 
meetings  in  several  towns  on  th(!  way  to  Canandaigua. 

Friday,  May  10,  a  session  of  the  Hcinton  quarterly  meeting  open- 
ed in  tliis  place.     The  brethren  seemed  to  eome  "  liiie  clouds  full 
of  rain,"  and  many  wept  at  seeing  each  other.     The  me(!tings  of 
worship  were  intisresting.     On  the  Sahbuth,  four  sermons  wvre 
given,  and  several  animating  exhortations.     It  fell  to  my  lotto  bap- 
tize one  that  was  received  the  day  previous.     During  the  meeting, 
Klder  Josiali  Fowh'r,  from  Conesus,  made  as  humble  and  at!ecting 
a  confession  as  J  ever  heanl.     Jle  had  be«m  a  Free  Maaon,  and  had 
taken  several  of  the  higher  degrees.     Once  he  was  Immble,  and 
God  bl(;ssed  his  laboi*s.     He  spoke  of  his  enjoyment  till  the  time 
he  took  on  him  masonic  obligations,  which  was  more  thaji  six  years 
l>cforc.     Alluding  to  that  occurrence,  and  his  attention  afterwards 
to  Free  Masonry,  he  exclaimed,  "  O  my  brethren,  I  have  becm  in- 
to Babylon  !"     I  lis  feelings  overcame  him,  and  for  some  time  he 
wept  aloud.     Then  he  said,   "  O  my   God !    forgive  mc — O  my 
brethren,  will  you  forgivo  me  ? — O  sinners,  can  you  forgive  me,  for 
laying  this  stumliling  block  in  your  way  ?"     He  said,  that  for  five 
years  he  never  knew  of  the  conversion  of  one  soul  through  his  in- 
strumentality ;   and  at  length  the  Lord  took  him  in  hand,  while  he 
was  in  his  field,  and  he  thought  he  should  die  under  the  power  of 
God.     He  was  humbled  under  the  mighty  hand  of  the  Lord,  saw 
his  wandering,  and  promised  to  renounce  his  allegiance  to  that  in- 
stitution.    He  said  he  believed  the  Lord  had  forgiven  him  all,  and 
that  now  he  enjoyed  peace  like  a  river.    Those  who  were  acquaint- 
ed with  Elder  Fowler  knew  him  to  be,  naturally,  a  man  of  a  proud 
spirit,  and  his  unexpected  confession  greatly  aficctcd  the  assem- 
■bly. 


DAVID  MARKS. 


163 


assom- 


CIIAPTEIi  XVIII. 

My  Second  Journey  to  fAmdon  District,    Upper  fhnada. 

Moixlay,  IMay  12,  182H,  I  left  ('aimit<lui^'ii:i  for  TIpju  r  Cuiittdu, 
ami  in  four  days  pn^aehi'd  in  (Ircece  ami  I'arnui,  thrice  in  Clark- 
son,  and  once  in  Uoyulton.  Sabbath,  May  18, 1  attcndtMl  two  meet- 
ings six  miles  cast  of  the  village  of  Lcwi.ston,  and  was  aflbctionale- 
ly  received  by  brother  T ,  who  related  the  following  particu- 
lars of  his  conversion,  lie  said,  that  bein<;  a  royal  arch  mason,  he 
became  acquainted  with  some  facts  connected  with  the  alnluction 
and  murder  of  William  Morj;an,  who  was  carried  by  his  door,  and 
contined  in  the  Maga/ine  at  Niagara,  till  the  installation  of  the 
royal  arch  chapter  in  this  town,  lie  was  called  to  Canandaigua  as 
a  witncKs,  and  resolved,  agreeably  to  his  masonic  obligation,  to 
swear  "Ae  knew  nothing  of  the  affair."  He  said  he  felt  conscien- 
tious, and  doubted  not  that  he  was  doing  right,  till,  unexpectedly, 
the  trial  wjia  adjourned,  and  lie  was  dismissed.  Then  he  hasted  to 
be  alone ;  the  thought  of  his  narrow  escape  rushed  on  his  mind 
like  a  flood.  He  said  that  in  a  moment  it  appeared  to  him,  had  it 
not  been  for  the  mercy  of  God  in  thus  saving  him,  that  his  ruin 
would  have  been  effected  for  time  and  for  eternity.  Then  he  ad- 
ded, "  I  fell  on  my  knees  for  the  first  time,  and  returned  thanks  to 
Almighty  God,  and  promised  to  renounce  my  allegiance  to  Free 
Masonry,  to  the  world,  and  to  sin,  and  seek  the  salvation  of  mj 
soul."  He  returned  home,  confessed  his  resolutions  to  his  wife, 
and  published  his  renunciation  of  Masonry.  This  awakened  his 
com[)anion,  and  they  sought  the  Lord  till  he  S[)oke  peace  to  their 
souls.  Several  of  their  neighbors  became  concerned,  a  revival  fol- 
lowe  1,  and  was  still  progressing.  This  man  and  his  wife  appeare«l 
t*)  be  aurablc  converts,  and  much  engaged  in  the  service  of  the 
I^ord. 

M(>:idaj,  I  crossed  the  Niagara,  proceeded  to  St.  Catharines,  and 
seeing  many  people  in  the  centre  of  the  village,  1  felt  impressed  to 
s?peak  t  them  of  the  things  of  eternity.  I  shrunk  at  the  cross,  and 
past>ed  through   the  village, — then   feeling  coiuhinncd,   1  returned 

and  met  a  stranger,  that  afterwards  I  understood  to  be  Dr.  C , 

a  merchant  of  that  place.  I  asked  him  if  I  might  |)rea('h  in  the 
street.  He  replied,  "Yes;"  and  went  immediately  himself,  and 
sent  some  others  to  notify  a  meeting  to  commence  in  ten  minutes. 
I  placed  my  wagon  in  the  centre  of  the  village  for  a  pulpit,  and  at 
the  time  appointed,  kneeled  down  and  prayed.  About  one  lun- 
dred  and  fifty  people  gathered  around.     I  addressed  them  from 


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Amos  4:12,  ^^  Prepare  to  meet  thy  God"  Thoy  listonod  attentive- 
ly, and  son^io  appeared  affected.  I  ap[)ointed  a  rneetinj;  to  att(ind 
on  my  return.  Several  solicited  me  to  slay  the  ni^lit,  hut  my  en- 
ga<2;ements  ohliged  me  to  pursue  my  journey.  The  next  day  1 
called  at  an  iim,  and  preached  to  a  few,  from  Ex.  '3:14,  ^^  I  AM 
hath  sent  me  unto  yon."  In  the  afternoon  I  gave  an  exliortation  at 
Hamilton  to  a  few  people  in  tlie  street.  Two  drunken  men  tried, 
by  insidts  and  abuse,  to  embarrass  me — yet  the  Lord  blessed  me 
with  some  freedom.  One  of  these  was  a  negro,  and  the  other  was 
an  Irislnnan;  the  latter  laid  violent  hands  on  me.  Still  I  thought 
it  good  to  "r/o  out  into  the  hiyhways  and  hedycs,  and  compel" 
perishing  sinners  to  come  to  the  gospel  feast.  A  little  before  sun- 
set, I  arrived  at  Ancaster,  wishing  to  warn  the  wicked  of  this  vil- 
lage; and  having  but  few  minutes  to  stop,  I  gave  notice  for  preach- 
ing in  seven  minutes,  on  the  green  opposite  the  meeting  house. 
When  the  time  had  expired,  two  persons  were  present,  and  I  ask- 
ed them  to  give  me  a  text.  They  gave  me  "  Notliinff"  Soon  af- 
ter prayer,  seventy  or  eighty  people  assembled,  and  taking  my 
text,  I  proceeded  to  show,  first,  that  God  created  the  world  out  of 
nothing  ;  secondly,  that  man  was  placed  under  a  law,  in  which 
there  was  nothing  unjust ;  thirdly,  that  there  is  nothing  to  justify 
the  impenitent  transgressor  ;  fourthly,  that  there  will  be  nothing  to 
comfort  him  in  death — nothing  to  save  him  in  judgment,  or  to  give 
him  hope  in  hell ;  fifthly,  that  the  righteous  have  by  nature  viotliing 
meritorious,  nothing  of  their  own  of  which  they  can  boast,  nothing 
to  fear  in  death ;  and,  that  in  the  judgment  day,  they  will  have 
nothing  to  cause  them  grief,  and  in  heaven  nothing  to  disturb  their 
peace — and  finally,  that  in  time,  and  in  eternity,  nothing  will  turn 
to  the  advanta<ji:e  of  the  wicked,  or  to  the  disadvanta";e  of  the  rijjht- 
eous.  The  Lord  assisted  me,  O,  blessed  be  his  name.  Many  were 
solemn  and  several  wept. 

Continuing  my  journey,  and  preaching  as  I  stopped  by  the  way, 
I  reached  an  appointment  in  Southwold,  Friday,  May  23,  and  bro. 
Straight  and  the  converts  received  me  very  affectionately.  Many 
that  were  mourning  for  their  sins  when  I  left  the  place,  were  now 
happy  in  the  Lord,  and  we  had  a  joyful  meeting.  I  was  informed 
that,  from  the  time  I  left  this  place,  brother  Straight  labored  dili- 
gently with  the  people,  the  woi'k  soon  assumed  an  encouraging  as- 
pect, and  the  Lord  gave  him  much  success.  Before  he  left  for 
New  York,  a  first  and  second  letter  had  been  sent  to  Elder  Jen- 
kins of  Bethany,  requesting  him  to  come  and  baptize  the  converts ; 
but  no  answer  having  been  received,  the  church  in  Dunwich  sent 
brother  Straight  to  New  York,  with  a  request  that  he  might  be  or- 
dained. But  previous  to  his  return,  brother  Jenkins  came  to  their 
help,  baptized  forty,  principally  in  South  we'd,  and  organized  a 


DAVID    MARKS. 


185 


(rhurch.  I  wfus  informed,  tliat  the  first  time  they  attended  to  bap- 
tism, twenty  converts  submitted  to  Christ  in  this  ordinan(;e.  A 
spectator  held  his  wateh,  and  observed  that  tlie  administrator  was 
but  eleven  minutes  baj)tizing  the  twenty.  Some  had  asserted 
that  the  apostolic  manner  of  baptizing  could  not  have  been  by  im- 
mersion, — for  if  it  had  been  been,  the  twelve  apostles  could  not 
have  baptized  the  three  thousand  on  the  day  of  Pentecost.  On 
this  account  some  one  worked  the  following  sum :  If  one  baptize 
twenty  in  eleven  minutes,  how  long  will  it  take  twelve  to  baptize 
three  thousand  ?  He  found  the  answer  to  be  two  hovrs,  seventeen 
minvtcs  and  a  half.  Thus,  after  all  that  has  been  said  against  im- 
mersion, on  the  supposition  that  the  twelve  apostles  could  not  bap- 
tize three  thousand  in  a  day,  it  appears  that  it  would  have  been  to 
them  a  short  and  pleasant  work. 

Saturday  and  Sabbath  I  preached  in  Dunwich,  and  saw  some 
engaged  converts  that  were  awakened  in  my  former  visit.  Tues- 
day, I  met  an  assembly  on  Back  street,  and  in  the  forenoon  of  the 
day  following,  at  the  house  of  deacon  B.  His  wife,  having  been 
confined  twelve  years  by  sickness,  had  lost  the  powers  of  speech 
and  sight ;  but  still  retaining  the  sense  of  hearing,  she  had  request- 
ed that  I  should  liold  this  meeting.  A  number  that  were  awaken- 
ed came  forward  for  prayer.  In  the  afternoon  I  spoke  to  an  as- 
sembly at  the  house  of  Israel  Morse,  from  Rom.  0:21,  "  Hat/i  not 
the  potter  power  over  the  day^  of  the  same  himp  to  male  one  vessel 
unto  honor,  and  another  nnto  dishonor  ?  In  the  evening,  Mr.  M. 
and  his  wife  said,  tliat  under  God  the  discourse  had  removed  from 
their  minds  some  serious  objections  to  the  doctrine  of  free  salvation. 
They  appeared  much  concerned,  and  Ijoth  prayed  for  mercy.  The 
man  said  in  his  distress  that  he  feared  his  case  was  hopeless.  They 
confessed  their  sins,  and  seemed  resolved  to  seek  the  Lord  all  the 
days  of  their  life.  Next  morning  I  visited  and  prayed  with  them  ; 
they  appeared  to  be  truly  penitent.  One  of  their  daughters,  a 
yoimg  convert,  who  had  been  opposed  by  her  parents,  now  rejoic- 
ed greatly,  believing  they  were  near  the  kingdom  of  God.  In  a 
few  days  they  obtained  a  hope,  and  were  baptized.  Not  many 
months  afterwards,  this  young  woman  became  the  wife  of  brother 
Straight.  After  holding  another  meeting,  I  went  to  London,  and 
was  very  affectionately  >velcomed  by  brother  Iluckins  and  family. 
Our  interview  was  sweet.  The  day  following,  I  met  the  dear 
saints  in  London.  After  sermon,  twenty-eight  spoke  of  the  loving 
kindness  of  the  Lord,  and  of  the  way  in  which  he  led  their  souls, 
and  one  requested  baptism.  Having  consulted  several  of  the  min- 
isters in  Nev/  Tork,  also  the  brethren  in  Dunwich  and  Southwold> 
and  received  their  advice  to  examine  brother  Iluckins  foi*  ordina- 
tion, T  now  proposed  to  the  church  in  London,  to  call  a  council  for 
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186 


MEMOIRS    OF 


Hi 

f. 

nlr 

i  '' 

tho  purpose.  To  this  tlicy  all  jii^rccd.  Elder  Jenkins  had  propos- 
ed the  same  to  Ijrother  Iliickins,  but  from  views  of"  his  unworthi- 
ness,  he  poshucdy  refused  his  consent.  l>ut  now,  by  the  unani- 
mous reipiest  of  the  church,  he  concluded,  after  consid(a'able  hesi- 
tation, to  submit  to  an  examination. 

Sabbath,  June   1,   LS28,  1  preached  twice  in  London.     In  the 
latter  disecnirse,  the  Lord  helped  me  to  speak  about  two  hours,  and 
the  people  were  seriously  impressed.     Many  testified  of  the  grace 
of  God,  and  at  the  close  I  baptized  an  aged  woman.     As  she  came 
up  out  of  the  water,  she  praised  the  Lord  aloud.     A  3'^oung  convert 
th(;n  came  forward,  declared  lier  faith  in  Christ,  and  v.as  baptized. 
Two  solemnly  promised  to  seek  the  Lord.     Next  day  I  visited  sev- 
eral families,  and  preached  at  the  house  of  sister  Pierce.     Since 
my  former  visit,  her  husband  had  gone  the  way  of  all  the  earth. 
lie  was  friendly  to   Christians,  and  thought  he   enjoyed  some  re- 
ligion ;    but  it  seemed  to  consist  in  strict  morality.     lie  justified 
himself  in  the  neglect  of  family  prayer,  and  confessing  Christ  pub- 
licly,   and  thought  the  noise  and  talk  of  engaged   Christians  quite 
unnecessary.     His  wife,  and  most  of  his  children,  were  humble  fol- 
lowers of  Clirist,    "•  spoke,  often  one  to  anothei","  and,  I  believe. 
"  prayed  to   God  always."     He  was  of  opinion  that  they  made 
more  sound  and  show  about  religion,  than  was  necessary  ;   and 
they  feared  that  he  knew  nothing  of  true  "  godliness."     Still  they 
lived  affectionately,   tenderly  regarded  each  other's  feelings,  and 
were  closely  bound  together  by  the  family  ties.     In  this  situation, 
sister  P.  told  me  that  lie  approached  the  gale  of  death  ;   still  he 
changed  not.     He  was  appai-ently   struck   with  its  icy  hand,  and 
his  friends  waited  every  hour  in  expectation  of  his  decease.     To 
her  it  was  an  awful  hour !     She  loved  her  com[)aiiion,  yet  she  be- 
lieved he  was  trusting  in  a  false  hope.     But  what  could  she  do  ? 
Her  hist  hours  in  his  society  were  passing  s^viftly,  and  how  could 
slve  be,  Avliat  some  would  call,  so  uncharitable,  as  to  tell  her  hus- 
band plainly,   that  she  believed   he  was  deceived,   and  that    hr 
"  must  be  born  again,"  or  "  not  see  the  kingdom  of  God."     Still. 
how  could  she  bear  that  he  should  die  in  this  state  ?     He  remained 
at  the  point  of  death  some  days.     She  Avcpt — she  prayed — she 
poured  out  her  soul  to  God.     She  obtained  strength — told  her  hus- 
band, that  it  appeared  to  her  he  could  not  die  in  his  present  state  ; 
that  God  had  continued  him  these  several  davs,  that  he  mio-ht  dis- 
charge  some  duty  ho  had  neglected.     Finally,  she  told  him  her 
whole  soul ;    and  instead  of  being  grieved,  as  she  had  feared,  he 
confessed  his  lost  condition,  and  cried  to  the  Lord  for  mercy.     To 
the  great  joy  of  his  family,  he  found  pardon  and  the  witness  of  the 
Spirit,  to  which  he  confessed  that   till  now  he  had  ever  been  a 
stranger.     He  exclaimed,  "  O  that  I  could  talk,  and  I   would  tell 


DAVID    MARKS. 


187 


•opos- 

orthi- 

inani- 

hesi- 

[n  the 
's,  and 
grace 
>  cam«.^ 
oiivert 
plize«.l. 
ed  sev- 
Sinco 
earth. 
»me  re- 
iistified 
st  pub- 
is quite 
ible  fol- 
helieve. 
Y  made 
y  ;    and 
ill  they 
gs,  and 
ituation. 
still  he 
nd,  and 
se.     T() 
she  he- 
she  do  ? 
\v  couhl 
ler  h US- 
hat   hr 
Still, 
emained 
ed — she 
ler  hus- 
nt  state ; 
jght  dis- 
him  her 
:ired.  he 
■cy.     To 

3S  of  till' 

r  been  a 
ould  tell 


you  that  which  you  never  heard  before."  He  now  condemned  his 
former  faith,  and  exhorted  his  wife  and  children  to  perseveranee  in 
family  prayer,  and  in  the  i)ra(;tiee  of  all  the  (.'hristian  duties  he  had 
before  called  useless.  In  about  twenty-four  hours  al'ter  this,  he 
bid  the  world  adieu.  Sister  V.  remarked  that  she  never  came  to  a 
greater  cross  than  she  did  in  this  trial,  and  had  she  shrunk  from 
duty,  she  never  could  have  forgiven  herself;  but  now  she  felt 
great  thankfulness  to  God,  who  strengthened  her,  and  granted  the 
desire  of  her  soul. 

During  the  week  following,  I  attended  several  interesting  meet- 
higs  in  Southwold  and  Dunwieh.  At  the  last,  sixtfien  covenanted 
to  seek  the  Lord.  A  small  number  had  experienced  salvation  in 
my  absence  to  London,  and  brother  Straight  had  baptized  three — 
one  of  whom,  like  the  jailer,  went  forward  in  the  night.  The  con- 
verts were  much  engaged,  and  I  was  much  affected  while  reflect- 
ing on  the  change  religion  had  made  in  this  town.  Eight  or  nine 
months  ago,  the  voice  of  prayer  was  scarcely  heard  for  miles :  now 
a  little  army  worshipped  God  "  in  spirit  and  in  truth." 

The  dreary  waste  and  barren  land 

Have  smil'd  with  hoiiv'Dly  liftlii, 
Sinners  have  seen  the  Savior's  lianil. 

And  owji'd  his  mnndutos  rigiit. 

Friday,  brother  Straight  accompanied  me  to  London,  where  we 
held  a  two-days  meeting,  commencing  on  Saturday,  the  7th  of  June. 
At  this  time  five  deacons,  from  the  three  churcltes  of  our  denomin- 
ation in  the  province,  brother  Straight  and  myself,  sat  as  a  council 
of  examination.  Brother  Ilueklns  gave  an  interesting  i'elati(m  of 
his  experience  and  call  to  the  ministry,  and  staled  his  sentiments 
with  clearness.  After  a  close  examination,  the  eoimcil  jigretHl  that 
he  should  be  set  apart  to  the  work  unto  whieli  God  had  called  him. 
We  returned  our  humble  thanks  to  Almighty  God  for  huAing 
heard  the  groanings  of  our  brethren  in  Canada.  The  other  relig- 
ious exercises  on  the  first  day  were  interesting.  On  the  Sabbath, 
it  was  delightful  to  see  the  happy  Christians  of  London  coming  out 
of  the  forest  from  almost  every  direction,  to  witness  the  first  ordi- 
nation among  our  brethren  in  this  province.  It  fell  to  my  h)t  to 
preach  a  sermon  on  the  occasion,  from  1  Tim.  4:16,  "  Tali'  heed 
unto  thyself,  and  unto  the  doctrine  :  ronfinae  in  them:  far  in  doiiuj 
this  thou  shalt  save  both  thyself  and  them  that  hear  thee."  After 
this  brother  Straight  and  myself  proceeded  to  the  ordaining  prayer, 
to  the  laying  on  of  hands,  to  the  giving  of  the  charge,  and  the  right 
hand  of  fellowship.  We  then  commended  the  candidate  "  to  (iod, 
and  to  the  word  of  his  grace,"  believing  that  God  would  strengthen 
him,  and  make  him  a  shepherd  of  the  flock,  and  a  blessing  to  the 
church. 


}Y,'^ 


i     ^T: 


'  1  m 


'U 


188 


MEMOIRS    OF 


Tn  tlio  aftornoon,  brotlior  Stniijzht  prcaclicMl  a  wcij^lity  (lisooursc. 
Tlicn  an  aged  brother,  formerly  iioin  Scotland,  a  man  of  '  a  good 
understan<iing,'  and  much  piety,  arose  and  stated  that  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  society,  wilh  whom  lie  felt  the  sweetest 
union,  that  he  did  not  design  to  forsake  them,  or  any  Christians ; 
but  that  he  felt  it  to  be  a  duty  he  owed  to  God,  to  arise  and  be  bap- 
tiztid  ;  and  he  wished  also  to  exchange  the  place  of  his  meinber- 
shij)  from  one  Christian  church  to  another.  His  first  conviction 
that  he  had  not  been  baptized,  originated  from  reading  in  Dr. 
Parkhurst's  Greek  and  Juiglish  Lexicon,  the  definition  of  haptizo. 
the  original  word  from  Avhich  baptize  was  adopted  into  our  version 
of  the  Scrii)tures  ;  and  knowing  that  the.  learned  doctor  was  a  min- 
ister of  the  church  of  England,  and  that  he  practised  sprinkling  for 
baptism,  he  was  not  a  litiJe  surprised  on  reading  from  his  pen  the 
following  definition  of  bai'TIZO  :  "  7b  dip^  immerse,  plamjer  He 
expected  to  find  it,  "  To  dip,  pour,  sprinkle."  This  awakened  his 
attention,  and  he  examined  the  subject  for  himself.  He  said  the 
learned  had  deceived  him  ;  and  now  he  wa.s  convinced  that  the 
commandment  to  be  baptized  was  still  obligatory  on  him.  lie  was 
received  by  the  church  on  the  recommendation  of  the  Methodist 
brethren  that  were  present,  and  I  had  the  privilege  of  baptizing 
him.  He  had  been  a  class  leader  and  I  think  a  ])rofespor  about 
forty  years.  Since  his  connection  with  the  London  church,  I  be- 
lieve he  has  been  an  ornament  to  Zion  and  a  help  to  the  brethren. 
The  exercises  closed,  and  we  parted  hapy)y. 

About  this  time  I  met  with  some  trouble.  My  horse,  that  had 
cari'ied  me  nineteen  thousand  mih;s  in  a  little  more  than  five  years, 
received  an  injury  from  another  be.ist  .niid  died.  1  bad  ap})oint- 
ments  extending  between  three  and  four  hundred  miles,  commenc- 
ing on  Mondav,  and  knew  not  how  T  should  i-each  them.  I  told 
Dea.  P.,  to  whose  care  I  had  committed  the  horse,  that  I  thought 
he  should  sustain  the  loss,  as  it  liappened  through  his  want  of  care. 
He  made  no  objection,  and  purchased  me  another  horse.  About 
six  months  afterwards,  while  reflecting  on  this  occurrence,  I  be- 
came of  the  opinion  that  I  had  eri'cd  in  supposing  that  brother  P. 
ought  to  bear  this  loss,  because  he  did  not  keep  my  horse  lor  mon- 
ey, but  as  a  friend  to  show  me  a  favor :  and  I  regretted  having  re- 
ceived the  compensation.  So,  on  my  next  visit  to  Canada,  I  re- 
funded to  him  all  that  I  had  received,  with  as  nnich  satisfaction  as 
I  ever  received  what  was  owed  me  by  another.  He  with  several 
brethren,  howevir,  gave  me  fifteen  or  twenty  dollars. 

Monday,  June  9,  I  bade  the  brethren  in  London  farewell,  and 
proceeded  on  my  journey ;  but  my  horse  was  old  and  travelled 
very  slowly,  and  my  appointments  were  so  arranged  that  I  found  it 
difficult  to  meet  them.     Tuesday,  I  arrived  at  Oxford,  next  day  at 


DAVID    MARKS. 


180 


.IF" 


lOUglit 

f  cair. 

A.boui 

I   l.e- 

llier  V. 

r  mou- 


rinj!  re- 


jll,  aiul 

avelled 

ibnnd  it 

(lav  at 


Braiulfon! ;  and  tlie  morning  following,  started  bcforo  broaklast  in 
the  rain.  The  road  was  so  extremely  bad  that  I  wjus  unable  to 
travel  more  than  two  miles  an  liour ;  and  being  in  an  oj)en  car- 
riage, there  was  scareely  a  dry  thread  remaining  in  my  eloth<>H. 

At  one  o'elo(^k,  I'.  M.,  I  met  an  appointment  at  Aneaster,  where 
I  had  preached  from  the  word  "  Nothimj."  The  meeting  house 
wtus  opened,  and  about  one  hundred  people  assembled.  1  spoke 
to  them  from  the  word  *' SoMiiTiiiNM},"  —  and  endeavored  to 
show,  first,  that  there  is  sometli(n<j  above  all  things  ;  secondly,  that 
there  is  something  in  man  that  cannot  become  extinct ;  thirdly, 
that  there  is  naturally  something  in  man  that  makes  him  urdiappy ; 
foiu'thly,  that  there  is  something  in  the  gosfiel  to  reverse  man's 
st^vte ;  fifthly,  that  there  is  something  that  will  disturb  the  finally 
impenitent  in  death,  judgment,  and  in  eternity,  and  make  them  un- 
hap])y ;  sixthly,  that  true  Christians  possess  something  that  the 
world  n(;ver  knew ;  and,  finally,  that  in  the  great  change,  .and  in 
eternity,  they  will  have  something  that  will  yield  eternal  joy. 
Many  appeared  serious,  and  I  ho])cd  that  good  was  done. 

At  5  o'clock,  I  spoke  with  considerable  freedom  in  the  st/eet  at 
Hamilton.  Some  appeared  to  be  affected,  and  the  people  gave  me 
two  or  three  dollars.  On  Friday  I  met  about  one  thousand  peo- 
ple on  the  square  at  St.  Catharines,  and  spoke  to  them  an  hour 
and  a  half.  Near  the  close,  many  of  the  assembly  were  in 
tears,  and  I  felt  a  fervent  desire  that  the  Lord  would  visit  this  peo- 
ple.    After  a  part  of  the  asseml)ly  had  gone  away,  Dr.   C , 

though  not  a  professor,  called  for  a  collection,  and  presented  me 
ten  dollars.  He  invited  me  to  his  house ;  said  that  my  former 
discourse  in  this  place  made  deep  impressions  on  his  mind,  and  al- 
most persuaded  him  to  be  a  Christian.  Alas !  how  many  are  only 
almost  persuaded,  and  never  submit  themselves  entirely  to  God  ; 
but  die  in  their  sins  and  sink  to  eternal  ruin !  On  Saturday  I  left 
the  province,  spent  the  Sabbath  in  Royalton,  and  enjoyed  usual 
freedom.  From  Royalton,  I  went  to  Canandaigua,  and  preached 
in  nearly  half  the  towns  through  which  I  passed. 

After  this,  a  line  of  appointments  called  me  to  go  immediately  to 
the  west.  I  preached  from  one  to  three  sermons  a  day,  for  a  week, 
when  I  arrived  at  Boston,  Erie  county.  I  held  a  few  meetings  in 
this  vicinity  and  in  Eden,  then  visited  and  preached  in  various 
towns  at  the  east.  Many  of  these  seasons  were  solemn,  and  1 
could  but  hope  that  some  good  fruit  would  be  seen  in  eternity. 
About  this  time  I  fulfilled  all  my  appointments  that  had  been  pre- 
viously given  out ;  but  it  had  been  done  with  much  dilUculty,  as 
my  horse  would  at  no  time  travel  more  than  three  miles  an  hour. 
I  was  under  the  necessity  of  riding,  generally  twenty  or  thirty,  and 
sometimes  forty  miles  a  day ;  and  in  order  to  reach  my  appoint- 


!  \  ii\ 


I-  4 


'\h 


*  *•  'I' I 


ilih 


190 


MEMOIRS    OF 


Mi 


■0m 


incnta,  accasionally  rodo  half  tin;  Tii;i;lit.  As  I  had  not  monny  to 
jMircliaso  auotlicr  liorsc,  all  my  cllurls  (lurin;j:  this  time  to  procure 
(UK*  on  anvotlior  coinlitioris,  wore  iiuUcctual.  I  tiiink  that  I  iKjvcr 
pju'-sed  throu<^h  more  I'atifijiie  than  dur'm;^  the  lahors  of  this  month. 
But  notwilhstandiii^ij  my  embarnussmenls,  I  wjis  enabled  to  travel 
between  four  and  live  hundred  miles,  and  attend  thirty-tive  nieet- 
iiifjjs.  About  the  last  of  the  month,  i  eontraeted  a  debt  to  jtur- 
ehase  a  j^ood  horse  :  thus  one  burden  was  removed,  for  whieh  1  felt 
to  thank  the  Lord. 

During;  tlie  first  part  of  July,  I  preached  daily  amonj;  tlie  ehureh- 
C8  ill  the  Ontario  and  IJenton  (juarterly  meetings,  and  the  power 
of  God  was  often  in  oui*  midst.  In  the  latter  part  of  tin;  month. 
I  preaehed  to  many  eon (ijregat ions  within  the  limits  of  the  Owego 
(iuart<!rly  meeting,  and  enjoyed  some  heavenly  seasons.  In  Au- 
gust I  attended  a  session  of  the  IJenton  quarterly  meeting  at  Mid- 
dlesex, atid  pj-eaehed  with  nearly  all  the  ehurches  within  fifty  milcii 
of  Canandaigua.  In  some  places,  revivals  were  spreading,  and 
the  glory  of  God  was  shining  among  the  i)eople. 

It  has  been  already  stated,  that  unnimibered  cireumstances  com- 
pelled me  to  believe,  that  Masonry  approved  of  the  abduction  of 
Morgan,  &c. ;  and  that,  conse(iuently,  the  connection  of  Christian 
peoj)le  with  the  histitution,  became  a  trial  to  my  mind.  I  think, 
that  I  cannot  do  justice  to  tritth,  to  others,  and  to  myself,  without 
briefly  relating  the  result  of  this  painful  conviction. 

Soon  after  the  appearance  of  Morgan's  '  Illustrations  of  JVIason- 
ry,'  I  read — and  thought  within  myself,  '  Can  this  be  Free  Mason- 
ry, which  has  been  called  the  "  Handmaid  of  Religion  ?"  Can  it 
be,  that  so  many  of  the  popular  class,  and  even  ministers  of  the 
gospel,  have  passe<l  through  these  ceremonies — been  divested  of 
their  ivearing  apparel — blindfolded — have  entered  a  Lodge  "  intiik 
NAME  OF  THE  Lord" — and  been  led  about  a  lodge-room,  with  a 
rope  around  their  neck — and  then  sworn  they  would  not  reveal 
these  things,  "  under  no  less  penalty,"  than  having  their  "  throat 
cut  across,"  their  "  tongue  torn  out  by  the  roots,"  and  their  "  body 
buried  in  the  rough  sands  of  the  sea  f  '  If  I  had  liad  no  other 
guide  in  judging  of  the  truth  or  falsity  of  the  disclosures,  I  should 
have  concluded  from  the  lowness  and  wickedness  of  the  ceremonies, 
obligations,  &c.,  that  they  were  an  imposition  on  the  public.  But 
the  abduction  of  Moi-gan,  and  a  thousand  circumstances  connected 
with  it,  together  with  the  general  silefice  of  the  fraternity  on  the 
subject,  and  their  evasive  answers  to  inquiries,  forbid  this  conclu- 
sion. 

It  appeared  that  Capt.  Morgan  had  not  been  kidnapped  by  a 
few  individuals  of  low  standing,  but  as  has  since  been  said  by  the 
U.  S.  Anti-Masonic   Convention — "  Previously   to  his  seizure,  nu- 


£a*. 


DAVID    MA.KK3. 


191 


ley  to 
•oi'urc 
iKivcr 
iioiilh. 
travel 
nicc.t- 
j  j)ur- 
i  1  i'clt 

liurcli- 
power 
month. 
Owego 
in  A  li- 
lt Mid- 
y  milci? 


and 


es  com- 
^tion  oi 
Christian 
I  think, 
without 

;Mason- 

Mason- 

Can  it 

of  the 

ested  oj 

IN  TIIK 

with  (( 
reveal 
« throal 
body 
10  other 
I  should 
monies. 
ic.     But 
onnectcd 
on  the 
s  conclu- 


y 


)ed  by  a 
id  by  the 
zure,  nu- 


merous moetinpjs  V)f  Free  Masons,  in  lodp^es  and  otherwi.so,  were 
held  for  the  purpose  of  eontrivinijf  and   a(lo|)tinj»  thi;  nu)Ht  eertain 
means  of  earryinj?  into  elleet,  their  unlawful  objiH^ts   upon    him. 
i'iu'se  mo<!tinf^H  were  attendcMl,  and  llie  desijriis  of  them  approved 
by  several  hundnMl  of  the  most  nispeetable  and  intelligent  of  the 
Masonie    brethren.      They    ineluded   lejiislatcrs,   jiidjfes,  nherifFs, 
clerjrymen,  gem^rals,  jjliysieians,  and  lawyers.     And  they  proceed- 
ed in  dis(;har'jje  of,  what  they   deimied,  their   Masonie  duties."     It 
also  a[)peared  by  a  great  abundance  of  testimony,  that  Morgan  wa« 
lodged  in  the  jail  at  Caiuuidaigmi,  th(j  town  of  my  residence,  that 
he  wns  there  seized  in  the  night,  and  though  lu'  cried  nutrder,  wa<» 
thrust  into  a  coach  prepared  tor  the  occasion,  and  carried  by  diHer- 
ent  companies,  coaches,  and   horses,  more  than  one  hundred  niilcp 
through  a  populous  country,  and  confined  in  .a   fortress  b«;longing 
to  the  U.  States,  then  in  charge  of  Free  Masons,  who  had  j)iepai'- 
ed  it  for  his   reception  ;  that  he  was  confined  there  8<!veral  days, 
and  then  probably  mnrdcred.     Two  or  three  of  the  leading  men  in 
this  aggravating  and  appalling  ofTence,  were  citizens  of  Canandai- 
gua,  and   men  with  whom  I  was  acquainted.     As  before  stated,  I 
liupposed  that  those  engaged  in  the  crime  would  be  expelled  from  the 
lodges ;  but  instead  of  this,  if  I  was  correctly  informed,   (and   1 
never  heard  it  contradicted,)  those  who  had  been  the  most  active 
in  this  outrage,  were  held  in   fellowship   in  the  lodges  without  ad- 
monition ;  and  though  they  had  pleaded  guilty  to  tlu'ir  indictments, 
apparently  to  prevent  the  extent  of  the  conspiracy  from  being  dis- 
covered ; — yet  after  they  were  condemned — during  their  imprison- 
ment, to  which  they  had  been  sentenced  for  their  crime,  they  liv- 
ed like  gentlemen,  and  almost  constantly  shared  the  company  of 
their  brother  Masons,  who  sat  with  them  in  the  prison  to  "  pass 
away  the  time."    Thus  the  Masons  generally  held  these  crimin.als  as 
true  and  worthy  Masons,  and  every  effort  was  used  to  enabU;  them 
to  escape  justice  and  the  penalties  of  the  law ; — when,  on  the  other 
hand,  those  who  renounced  their      ligations,  and  confessed  their 
crimes  without  reserve  were  subjc      i  to  a  persecution  that  seem- 
ed to  be  without  end. 

In  Morgan's  Illustrations  it  appeared  that  the  obligation  of  the 
Master  Mason's  degree,  contains  the  following  clauses.  "  Further- 
more, do  I  promise  and  swear  that  I  will  support  the  constitution 

of  the  grand  lodge  of  the  state  of ,  under  which  this  lodge  is 

held,  and  conform  to  all  the  by-laws,  rules,  and  regulations  of  this 
or  any  other  lodge  of  which  I  may  at  any  time  hereaf'^  ?r  become  a 
member.  Furthermore,  do  I  promise  and  swear  that  I  will  obey 
all  regular  signs,  summons  or  tokens,  given,  handed,  sent  or  thrown, 
to  me  from  the  hand  of  a  bi'other  Master  Mason,  or  from  the  body 
of  a  just  and  lawfully  constituted  lodge  of  such,  provided  it  be 


1 


' 


u 


■  ::t< 


'^'(^ 


■:'il 


192 


MKMOIUS    OF 


wiLhiu  tlie  lonpjtli  of  my  r:il)lo-tovv.  Furthormoi'n,  do  1  promise 
and  rtwt'ur  Ihiit  a  Mastt!!'  JMasou's  HocrettJ,  ^\\vn  to  mo  in  charge  as 
such,  aiul  I  knowing  ihoin  to  be  such,  shall  remain  a.s  se- 
cure and  inviolable  in  my  breast  Jis  in  his  own,  whe;n  eomnumica- 
ted  lo  mi',  nmrder  and  treason  excepti^d  ;  and  they  li'l't  lo  my  own 
cleelion.  Furthermore,  do  1  promise  and  hwear  that  if  any  part 
of  this  my  solemn  <»ath  or  obligation  be  omitted  at  this  time, 
that  I  will  hold  myself  amenable  thereto,  whenever  informiid.  To 
all  which  I  do  most  solemnly  and  sinei^nily  pronnse  and  swear, 
with  a  fixed  and  steady  pur|)ose  of  mind  in  me  to  keep  and  per- 
form the  sanui,  bindinjj;  myself  und(U"  no  less  penalty,  than  to  have 
my  body  severed  in  two  in  the  midst,  and  divided  to  the  north  and 
south,  my  bowels  burnt  to  asluis  in  the  centre  and  the  ashes  scat- 
tered before  the  four  winds  of  heaven,  that  there  might  not  the 
least  track  or  trace  of  rememl)rance  remain  amonji;  meti  or  Masons 
of  so  vile  and  perjured  a  wretch  as  I  shoidd  be,  were  I  ever  to 
prove  willfully  guilty  of  violating  any  part  of  this  my  solemn  oath 
or  obligation  of  a  Master  Mjison.  So  helj)  me  God,  and  keep  me 
steadfast  in  the  duo  performance  of  the  same." 

On  the  clauses  quoted,  the  following  queries  were  suggested. 
♦  Has  a  man  a  right  to  swear  to  keep  things  secret,  the  nature  of 
which  he  does  not  know  ?  Since  man's  life  is  not  his  own,  has  he 
a  right,  in  any  case,  to  give  it  as  a  pledge  ?  What  is  the  design 
of  the  masonic  peiidhies,  unless  they  are  to  be  executed  ?  Can  an 
institution  exist,  with  obligations  and  penalties,  and  yet  have  no 
means  whereby  the  penalties  may  be  executed,  in  case  the  obliga- 
tions are  broken  ?  If  the  penalties  were  not  to  be  executed,  in 
case  of  a  violation  of  Masonic  obligations,  how  could  the  fraterni- 
ty have  kept  their  secrets  ?  Has  a  man  a  right  to  swear  to  "  sup- 
port" a  "  constitution,"  which  he  has  7iever  seen  nor  heard? — To 
"  conforrn"  to  "  by-laws,  rides  and  regulations"  which  he  does  not 
know  ?  Has  a  Christian  a  right  to  swear  to  ^^  obey  all  ret/idar  signs, 
summons  or  tokens,  given,  handed,  sent  or  thrown"  from  a  "  Master 
Mason,  or  from  the  bodg  of  a  just  and  lawfully  constituted  lodge 
of  such  ?"  How  does  he  know,  that  the  "  constitution,"  "  by-laws, 
rules,  regidations,  signs,  summons,  or  tokens,"  will  not  require  him 
to  assist  in  kidnapping  or  murdering  some  one,  that  has  thought 
the  duty  he  owed  to  his  God  or  to  his  country,  obliged  him  to  dis- 
close the  secrets  of  Masonry  ?  How  does  a  Master  Mason  know 
that  among  the  secrets  given  him  " in  charge  as  such"  there  will 
not  be  theft,  arson,  and  many  other  crimes — and  that  he  will  not  be 
called  to  testify  to  these  things  in  a  court  of  justice,  and  thus  be 
under  the  necessity  of  violating  either  his  masonic  or  his  judicial 
oath  ?  When  a  man  takes  the  obligation  of  a  Master's  degree, 
has  he  a  right  to  swear,  that  "  if  any  part"  of  the  "  obligation  be 


DAVID   MARKS. 


100 


omltlod  r.t  tills  time,"  lio  will  hoM  ]umf^vU  "  am/'Pfth//'  fhereto," — 
since  it  i.>  not  said,  //'  it  be  f'uryottcn  ;  but  "  //'  it  he  <iniitfc(/,*'  iui<l 
Ik;  knows  not  iv/tot  it  is  \hnt  is  onilttod,  or  w/n/  it  is  onnttrd?' 

As  /I  niinistcr  of  Christ,  and  a  watclintnn  in  Zioti,  I  tlionjrlit  it 
my  duty  to  divest  niyselt'  of  all  pn'jndicos,  and,  luiinliueneed  l»y 
nttachnient  to  my  friends  who  were  Masons,  candidly  search  alter 
the  truth  in  answer  to  tiiese  (jueries.  I  visited  many  Christian 
[leople  wJU)  had  nniounced  Ma^oiny,  and  they  aflirnied  that  Mor- 
gan's disclosures  wore  true.  I  conversed  with  many  who  still  be- 
lon<f;ed  to  the,  order,  and  none  would  dcni/  their  truth  in  penenvl, 
except  by  va^uo  remarks  or  api«irent  cavils.  1  entreated  them, 
if  these  things  were  not  so,  to  take  the  statements  by  course  and 
say  they  were  not  true.  Many  would  only  reply,  that  they  di<l 
not  wish  to  say  any  thing  on  the  subje(;t. 

A  convention  of  about  ninety  seceding  Masons,  that  declared  in- 
dependence from  the  Mafonic  institution,  jjublished  several  of  the 
higher  degrees,  which  contained  the  following  clauses.  In  the  royal 
arch  degree  :  "  Furthermore,  do  I  promise  and  swear,  that  I  will 
aid  and  assist  a  companion  royal  arch  Mason,  when  engaged  in  any 
dilhculty  ;  and  espouse  his  cause,  so  far  as  to  extricate  him  from 
tlie  same,  if  in  my  power,  whether  he  be  riff/tt  or  tcrot/f/. — Further- 
more, do  I  promise  and  swear,  that  a  companion  royal  arch  ma- 
son's secrets  given  me  in  charge  as  such,  and  I  knowing  them  to 
be  such,  shall  remain  as  secure  and  inviolable  in  ray  bre^ist  as  in 
his  own,  murder  and  treason  not  excepted."  In  the  degi'ee  called 
the  "  Holy  and  Thrice  Illustrious  Order  of  the  Cross :"  ''  You  fur- 
ther swear,  that,  should  you  know  another  to  violate  any  essential 
^X)int  of  this  obligation,  you  will  use  your  most  decided  endeavors, 
by  the  blessing  of  God,  to  bring  such  person  to  the  strictest  and 
most  condign  punishment,  agreeably  to  the  rules  and  usages  of  our 
ancient  fraternity  ;  and  this  by  pointing  him  out  to  the  world  as  an 
unworthy  vagabond ;  by  opposing  his  interest,  by  deranging  his 
business,  by  transferring  his  character  after  him  wherever  he  may 
go,  and  by  exposing  him  to  the  contempt  of  the  whole  fraternity 
and  the  world,  but  of  our  illustrious  order  more  especially,  during 
his  whole  natural  life. — To  all,  and  every  part  thereof,  we  then 
bind  you,  and  by  ancient  usage  you  bind  yourself,  under  the  no 
less  infamous  penalty  than  dying  the  death  of  a  traitor,  by  having 
a  spear,  or  some  other  sharp  instrument,  like  as  our  divine  Mas- 
ter, thrust  in  your  left  side,  bearing  testimony,  even  in  death,  of  the 
power  and  justice  of  the  mark  of  the  holy  cross." 

From  these  testimonies,  together  with  that  of  hundreds  who  had 

seceded,  and  from  the  testimony  of  Masons  who  had  not  seceded, 

I  was  unable  to  form  any  other  conclusion  than  that  the  secrets  of 

the  order  had  been  revealed.     And   in  answer  to  the  preceding 

37 


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f|iH'ri<'s,  T  was  ronstniiri<'«l  fo  concliidc  tliat  \t  was  iiicoiisistrnt  for  a 
Clirisliaii  to  lie  (•<iiin(n't<'(l,  in  any  maimer  whatever,  willi  the  in"*!!- 
tiition  or  tValeriiify  of  Tree  Maso?is.  Also,  that  I  could  not  <lis- 
cliar^c  (lie  duties  of  a  "  wntvhmun"  in  Zion,  and  keej)  my  p;arment.s 
clear  I'rom  the  blood  of  souls,  without  preachinjif  piihliely  a;;ainsf 
Vvviy  MiMoniy,  as  well  as  against  other  evils. 

On  Friday,  Au<,nHt  'J'.),  1«2H,  I  attended  the  IIollai\d  I'urehase 
yearly  meetin;^,  at  Flint  (rreek  in  Middlesex.  AHer  ceviM'al  re- 
aolvcB  were  passed  on  dilVerent  suhjeets,  FIder  Hrowti  and  twooth- 
t-rs  were  appointed  to  visit  some  ehui'eln'S  lat<'ly  raised  up  in  Wayne, 
and  other  towns,  in  Ashtabula  county,  Ohio.  Brother  Strai;:^lil, 
inyself,  atid  soin(!  others,  were  appointed  to  visit  the  animal  confer- 
ence of  the  Free  Comnumion  Baptists,  in  I'pper  Canada.  After 
this,  re[)orts  were  presented  from  the  four  quarterly  nieetinf^p, 
IJethany,  Flrie,  IJeiiton,  and  Ontario.  l{el'reshin<f  tidin<js  ()f  nni- 
vals  and  additions  in  difl'erent  places,  gladdened  our  heai'ts  and 
strenjjfthened  our  hands.  It  appe.ired  by  the  reports,  that  at  this 
time  there  were  in  the  yearly  meeting  forty-nine  churches,  one 
thousand  six  hundred  and  fifty  members,  and  thirty  ordained  minis- 
ters. 

Saturday  morning,  public  worship  commenced  in  a  grove,  previ- 
ously prepanid  for  the  occasion.  Three  sermons  were  preached, 
.ifter  which  brotluu-  James  Bignall  of  Barrington,  N.  Y.  was  or- 
dained to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  On  the  Sabbath,  the  assem- 
bly was  large,  and  worship  commenced  jiL  nine  o'clock,  A.  M.  Af- 
ter two  discourses,  brother  Straight  pro.  ched  from  Eph.  3:8,  1) : 
''  Unto  me  who  am  less  than  the  least  of  ail  saints,  is  this  grace 
given,  that  I  should  preach  among  the  Gentiles  the  unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ,"  &c.  The  people  observing  that  the  speaker  was 
a  youth,  and  knowing  it  had  been  but  a  little  time  since  he  was  con- 
verted, listened  to  his  address  with  more  than  usual  attention  and 
solemnity.  Joy  and  gladness,  weeping  and  mourning,  pervaded 
the  assembly.  At  the  close,  brother  Norton,  a  very  aged  man,  re- 
cently from  Vermont,  arose  on  the  stand,  and  sung  a  beautiful 
parting  hymn,  that  was  composed  by  one  of  his  brethren  in  the  east 
on  his  separating  from  them.  I  lis  person  Avas  tall,  erect,  and 
of  comely  form.  His  eyes  were  sunken,  and  his  face  wrinkled  by 
age ;  his  locks  were  white  like  wool,  and  his  singing  seemed  to 
have  an  unusual  charm.  When  he  commenced,  the  assembly  were 
just  beginning  to  disperse  ;  all  stopped,  and  listened  with  perfect 
silence,  except,  occasionally,  several  burst  forth  into  weeping. 

In  the  meeting  of  business  on  Friday,  the  subject  of  Free  Ma- 
sonry was  again  introduced.  It  appeared,  that  a  number  of  our 
own  brethren  and  some  of  our  preachers  had  renounced  their  ma- 
sonic obligations ;  and  that  the  connection  of  some  others  with  the 


;)re; 

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that 


DAVID    MAUK,^. 


195 


in.xtiltition,  Imd  liocom*'  :i  s(»n'  triiil  <o  llic  (•lniiclu'8.  A  movo  win 
male,  that  "  \vr  ((tiisidcr  M:»-«Mirv  iinHrrfssttri/^aiifi-sm'jiftintf,  and 
ii'i (•/,■('( f ;  anil  that  lor  a  Cliristiuii  t(»  Im-  a  Muxm  is  a  m'nn-  worthy 
of  aihiionilioii."  Al'lrr  iniich  »li.<*«'iissioii.  it  passrd  hy  a  hir<:<'  lau- 
jority.  Only  lour  rnnaitHMl  iir-iilor;  hnt  two  voted  a^'idiist  it,  and 
these  were  hrethi-en  that  lhon;iht  f/nir  niasonie  ol»li<.'alions  l»indin;r. 

liiit  it  had  alv.ay.-  heeii  the    praeti t'  the  yearly  meeting',  if  pos- 

.-ihle,  to  act  nnftniinonsh/ :  therefore  they  aj^reetl  to  refer  \hr  snl)- 
jcot  to  the  mini.-iters'  conlen  lu-e  on  Monday,  for  a  reconsideration. 
Darin*;  the  yi'arly  ineelin;;,  this  was  a  snhjeet  of  nnieh  ferv<'nt 
pniyer  and  many  tears.  In  the  eonferenee  the  resolve  was  ehan<;- 
e<l  to  the  following;  foi-ni  :  "  We  advise  the  «|nartei-ly  ine<'tinj;s  and 
(hnrclKjS  in  our  connexion,  not  to  hold  fr/ioir.s/n'/)  with  artit'c.  Free 
}f(fsotis  ;  but  that  they  aihtionish  such  of  tln-ir  l>relhi-cn  as  Ixdong 
t(»  the  fraternity,  to  renounce,  or  withdraw  thoir  stundin*;  iu  the 
lodges,  and  in  all  places  to  refrain  from  advocating  the  system." 


I 


"'I 


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I 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

My  Fourth  Journey  to  New  EnyUmd. 

Having  been  appointed  by  the  yearly  meeting  a  messenger  to 
the  second  session  of  the  General  Conference  of  the  Free-will  Bap- 
tist Connexion,  to  be  held  in  New  Hampshire,  T  left  my  good 
home  in  Canandaigua,  on  IVIonday,  Sept.  8,  1828;  and  the  next 
day,  at  Waterloo,  wa^*  joined  by  brother  Wm.  Van  Tuyl,  a  young 
preacher  who  had  agreed  io  accompany  me  on  this  journey.  I  had 
an  interview  at  this  place  Avith  my  brother  Ives,  who  was  itill  se- 
rious. '  O  Lord,  may  I,  shall  1,  ever  see  Ives  a  Cliristian  ?  O, 
grant  that  I  may,  for  thy  mercy's  sake.'  I  had  an  appointment  in 
the  evening  at  Junius  ;  but.  on  our  arrival,  we  found  my  parents 
sick,  and  a  daughter  of  my  step-mother  api)arently  at  the  point  of 
death,  and  unprepared  for  the  change.  A  few  months  before,  she 
was  awakene<i,  and  covenanted  to  seek  the  Lord  ;  btit  through  the 
influence  of  her  associates  she  was  persuaded  to  attend  a  ball,  and 
her  conviction  left  her.  For  this  she  now  deeply  sighed.  The 
symptoms  of  death  seemed  floating  upon  her  eyes;  death's  visage 
was  ujjon  her  features  :  she  could  only  tell  us  in  a  faint  whisper, 
that  she  had  no  hope,  while  to  appearance  the  next  hour  would 
conduct  her  to  eternal  scenes.  It  was  so  sickly  in  the  vicinity, 
that  there  was  scarcely  enough  in  health  to  take  care  of  the  sick. 


'u^^J 


.  '.'jf 


**   A  .f  d 


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196 


MEMOIRS    OF 


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111  these  cii'ounistances  the  parental  home  was  gloomy.  On  the 
morning  following,  previous  appointments  calicd  us  to  pursue  our 
journey.  We  had  a  sorrowful  parting,  little  expecting  that  we 
should  all  meet  again  in  this  world. 

Proceeding  on  our  way,  we  attended  meetings  in  Montezuma, 
Mentz,  and  Spafford.  At  the  latter  meeting,  a  young  woman  re- 
lated an  interesting  experience  and  desired  to  be  ba})tized.  I  re- 
membered that  six  months  before,  I  tried  for  several  hours  to  per- 
suade her  to  tuni  to  God,  and  that  she  then  entered  into  a  cove- 
nant to  kneel  and  pray  thrice  a  day  for  a  year.  She  said  she  had 
often  been  sorry  she  made  the  engagement,  for  she  became  discour- 
aged, thought  her  prayers  would  be  useless,  and  should  have 
given  the  struggle  over,  had  it  not  been  fortht  Indin;^  influence  of 
this  covenant.  She  dared  not  break  it.  "  Sc,"  said  slie,  "  I  con- 
tinued seeking,  and  about  three  weeks  ago  the  Lord  con-erted  my 
soul — now  I  thank  God  that  he  put  it  into  my  heart  to  make  thig 
covenant ;  for,  if  I  had  not  made  it,  probably  I  should  not  have 
sought  the  Lord,  but  have  died  in  my  sins,  and  have  been  lost  for- 
ever !"  She  appeared  to  be  strong  in  the  Lord  and  very  happy. 
After  baptism,  we  went  to  the  south  part  of  the  town  and  held  a 
meeting. 

On  Saturday  we  went  to  Fabius,  where  I  had  an  appointment ; 
but  understanding  that  th<i  Spafford  quarterly  meeting  was  in  ses- 
sion at  New  Berlin,  fifty  miles  distant ;  and  that  the  preachers  who 
had  been  expected  to  attend,  were  sick,  or  otherwise  detained,  1 
thought  it  my  duty  to  go  to  the  uarterly  meeting.  Leaving 
brother  Van  Tuyl  to  attend  my  app<  ntment,  I  started  about  four 
o'clock,  P.  M,  and  reached  New  Be  'in  by  ten  or  eleven  o'clock 
next  morning.  The  people  were  asse.  bled  in  a  grove,  and  as  I  en- 
tered, brother  Adon  Aldrich,  the  only  p  iacher  that  was  present,  and 
some  others,  thanked  the  Lord  aloud,  riiis  was  the  third  day  of 
the  meeting,  and  I  understood  they  1  d  nad  no  preaching,  except 
from  the  assembly  of  saints  and  youn  conv^erts.  I  took  my  seat 
to  hear,  and  soon  found  that  my  lot  h  l  fallen  in  a  heavenly  place, 
and  in  a  happy  company.  It  seeme^  "s  though  a  fresh  breeze 
from  glory  blowed  gently  upon  us.  The  time  was  all  occupied  ei- 
ther in  singing  or  speaking,  and  many  that  spoke  had  excellent 
gifts  in  exhortation.  Thus  t'le  meeting  continued  till  about  tweh  e 
o'clock,  when  a  little  girl,  who  sat  on  her  mother's  lap,  arose  and 
sung  a  beautiful  verse,  and  then,  with  modest  confidence,  address- 
ed the  wicked  with  pathos  and  power.  Said  she,  "  You  may  slight 
the  Savior  now,  but  the  time  is  soon  coming  when  you  will  be  sor- 
ry— Avhen  you  pass  through  the  dark  valley  and  shadow  of  death, 
you  will  need  this  religion  which  you  now  despise."  Her  exhorta- 
tion was  contmued  ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  and  had  much  effect  on 


DAVID    MARKS. 


197 


tlie  assembly.  I  understood  that  she  was  but  ten  years  ohl,  and 
had  been  a  professor  of  religion  tAvo  }'ears.  She  had  been  baptiz- 
ed and  received  into  the  church;  and  was  a  steady  traveller,  often 
making  mention  of  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

During  the  intermission,  I  enjoyed  a  sweet  interview  with  the 
brethren  and  learned  from  them,  that  since  the  last  spring,  a  bless- 
ed revival  had  been  witnessed  on  the  hills  of  New  Uerlin,  and  Nor- 
wich, an  adjacent  town.  In  this  work  many  had  been  translated 
into  the  kingdom  of  God's  dear  Son.  Brother  Aldrich  had  bap- 
tized forty,  and  gathered  a  church  of  about  fifty  members,  the  only 
one  of  our  denomination  within  fifty  miles  ;  and  a  large  field  ap- 
peared to  be  opening  for  gospel  labors.  In  the  afternoon,  I  spoke 
about  two  hours  Avith  much  freedom.  Many  tears  were  shed,  and 
great  solemnity  rested  on  the  people.  In  the  evening,  I  preached 
near  the  Unadilla  river.  The  house  was  crowded,  and  at  the  in- 
troduction, I  counted  fifty  persons  that  stood  up  and  sung,  nearly 
all  of  whom  appeared  to  "  sing  with  the  spirit,  and  with  the  under- 
standing also."  On  the  day  following  I  attended  two  meetings. 
The  Lord  met  with  us  and  made  them  impressive  to  lAany. 

From  Norwich,  I  went  to  AVindsor,  to  attend  the  Susquehanna 
yearly  meeting,  and  there  met  brother  Van  Tuyl.  On  Friday, 
Sept.  19,  1828,  the  second  session  of  this  yearly  meeting  com- 
menced, and  continued  with  much  interest  until  Sabbath  evening. 
Several  good  discourses  were  given  by  different  preachers,  and 
many  spiritual  exhortations  contributed  to  the  interest  and  profit 
of  the  meeting.  It  fell  to  my  lot  to  speak  two  or  three  times:  it 
pleased  the  Lord  to  give  me  freedom,  and  bless  his  word  to  the 
awakening  of  some,  who  afterwards  professed  to  find  peace  in  be- 


lieving.    Sabbath 


evenmg, 


brother  B.  A.  Russel  was  ordained  to 


the  work  of  the  ministry. 

The  Susquehanna  yearly  meeting  was  organized  a  year  before 
I   ^  this  time  at  Dryden,  New  York.     It  now  consisted  of  three  quar- 

m  terly  meetings,  Owego,  Gibson  and  Spafford.     The  Owego  quar- 

terly meeting  was  gathered  about  the  year  1818,  through  the  in- 
strumentality of  brethren  from  Vennont.  Spafford  quarterly 
meeting  was  organized  in  1827.  About  the  same  year,  the  Gib- 
son quarterly  meeting  was  formed  principally  from  several  churcli- 
es  that  had  formerly  constituted  a  yearly  meeting  of  Free  Com- 
nium'on  Baptists.  The  numbers  in  the  yearly  meeting  were  not 
exactly  ascertained.  The  probable  esHmate  was  as  follows,  eigh- 
teen churches,  twelve  ordained  ministers  and  five  hundred  and  fif- 
ty-fi\  e  members. 

Monday,  after  a  few  minutes  notice,  I  preached  standing  under 
a  tree,  to  about  one  hundred  people  in  Bainbridge.  Some  heard  with 
tenderness.     We  proceeded  to  New  Berlin,  and  next  day  met  an 
17* 


i 


J*-« 


198 


MEMOIRS    OF 


lie  ■  'A 


assembly  in  the  grove  where  the  quarterly  meeting  was  held.  I 
preached  on  repentance,  faith,  and  baptism,  and  enjoyed  some  free- 
dom. 

On  Wednesday  we  continued  our  journey  eastward,  and  in  eight 
days  arrived  at  Randolph,  Vt.,  a  distance  of  two  hundred  and  six- 
teen miles.  On  our  way  we  held  five  meetings  :  the  first  was  in 
Johnstown,  N.  York,  where  w^e  stopped  to  feed  our  horses.  I  pass- 
ed into  the  street,  and  observing  the  peo[)le  running  to  and  fro, 
while  all  seemed  thoughtless  of  God  and  eternity,  I  felt  a  cry  in 
my  soul,  and  concluded  to  embrace  the  opportunity,  for  rebuking, 
exhorting,  &c.,  out  of  season"  2  Tim.  4:2 :  and  obtaining  liberty 
of  the  owner,  I  stood  on  a  platform,  before  a  store  in  the  centre  of 
the  village,  and  began  to  preach  from  Rev.  6:17  :  "  For  the  great 
day  of  his  wrath  is  come ;  and  who  shall  be  able  to  stand  ?" 
About  one  hundred  and  fifty  or  two.  hundred  people  listened  to 
the  Avord,  notwithstanding  it  rained  ;  and  when  I  was  speaking  on 
the  last  proposition  of  the  text,  a  certain  judge  interrupted  me. 
saying,  "  Friend,  you  must  stop ; — this  is  very  improper — you  are 
disturbing  the  people.  There  are  houses  enough  to  preach  in."  I  re- 
plied, that  I  had  no  intention  of  disturbing  the  people  ;  that  on  en- 
tering their  village,  I  heard  the  voice  of  i>rofane  swearing,  and  no 
one  forbid  it ;  and,  that  I  supposed,  if  I  preached  Christ  to  them 
in  the  " highway"  no  one  would  attempt  to  prevent  me.  He  on- 
ly replied,  that  it  was  improper,  and  then  departed.  Immediately 
a  lawyer  seized  me,  and  by  a  sudden  pull,  brought  me  nearly  to  the 
ground,  saying,  "  Come  and  go  with  me  to  jail."  I  asked  him  why 
he  would  imprison  me.  lie  replied,  "  For  disturbing  the  peace  of 
the  village"  and  demanded  a  reason  for  my  conduct.  I  told  him 
that  I  was  one  of  those  servants  whom  the  Lord  had  sent  out  into 
the  "  highways  and  hedges,"  &c.,  and  asked  him  if  it  was  disturb- 
ing their  peace  to  try  to  persuade  the  wicked  from  the  way  to  hell. 
He  halted,  and  looking  me  sternly  in  the  face,  commanded  me  to 


stop,  saying,  "  I  will  hear  no  such  talk."  The  people  gathered 
around  in  a  throng,  and  some  cried,  "  He  is  crazy — flog  him." 
Others  said,  "  He  did  not  talk  like  a  crazy  man ;  but  the  more- 
part  remained  silent.  Wliile  the  lawyer  was  holding  me,  I  disco\  - 
ered  from  his  breath,  that  he  used  ''  strong  drink."  He  then  said. 
if  I  would  leave  the  place  in  silence,  he  would  let  me  go.  I  tokl 
him,  that  because  my  time  to  stay  had  now  expired,  I  intended,  ii' 
dismissed,  to  leave  immediately.  As  he  let  me  go,  I  said,  "  Tour 
blood  be  upon  your  own  head"  He  turned  suddenly  toward  mc. 
as  though  he  thought  I  had  threatened  his  life,  and  demanded  what 
I  meant  by  this  saying.  One  that  stood  by,  told  him  that  it  was  a 
saying  of  Scripture,  and  that  my  meaning  was,  that  I  was  clear 
from  his  guilt,  and  that  he  would  bear  it  alone.     He  said,  "  So  he 


DAVID    MARKS. 


199 


'^'j 


?V,"  and  left  me.  Many  followed  me  to  my  carriage,  invited  me 
to  their  dwellings,  and  earnestly  entreated  me  to  remain  till  even- 
ing, and  preach  in  the  court  house,  or  in  one  of  their  m<>eting 
iious(;s.  But  duty  called  us  to  haste  on  our  way.  As  wr^  left  the 
town,  the  Lord  poured  his  Spirit  upon  me,  and  caused  me  greatly 
to  rejoice.  The  other  meetings  were  in  Broad  Albin,  A^'ilton,  and 
Kingsbury. 

Friday,  Oct.  3,  1828,  we  attended  the  A\>rmont  yearly  meeting 
conference  in  Randolph.  The  principal  subject  discussed,  was 
Free  Masonry.  Several  brethren  in  this  state  had  seceded  from 
the  institution,  testified  that  its  Avorks  are  evil,  and  tliat  the  disclos- 
ures made  by  Capt.  William  Morgan,  and  others,  were  true.  It 
appeared  that  these  circumstances  had  induced  many  brethren  to 
examine  the  nature  and  tendency  of  the  oaths  and  ceremonies  of 
the  order.  The  result  was,  that  the  allegiance  of  brethren  to  the 
institution  became  a  trial.  The  subject  ai)peared  to  have  been  lirst 
introduced  into  the  church  in  this  town,  and  afterwards  referred  to 
the  yearly  meeting.  When  the  discussion  began,  I  had  not  a  thought 
of  taking  any  active  part.  I  was  young — a  stranger  to  nearly  all, 
and  I  said,  "  Days  should  speak,  and  multitude  of  years  should 
teach  wisdom."  Again,  all  my  brethren  were  dear  to  me,  and  I 
thought  I  would  not  chill  the  feelings  of  any  by  engaging  in  a 
j)oint  of  dispute.  But,  unexpectedly,  I  felt  an  impression  from 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  to  open  my  mouth,  and  I  dared  not  disobey. 
Like  Ei)hraim,  I  "  spoke  trembling,"  and  remarked,  that  secrecy 
is  a  sign  of  iniquity ;  that  men  boast  of  their  </ood  deeds,  and  often 
publish  them  as  by  the  sound  of  a  trumpet ;  but,  their  evil  deeds, 
of  which  they  m"e  ashamed,  they  conceal ;  therefore  said  our  Sa- 
vior, "  Men  loved  darkness  rather  than  light,  because  their  deeds  are 
evil"  After  this,  I  quoted  several  passages  of  Scripture,  to  show 
that  the  works  of  Christ  were  wrought  openly,  that  "  in  secret'' 
he  "  said  nothing,"  &c.  I  spoke  about  an  hour  with  much  free- 
dom, and  presented  many  testimonies,  showing  what  are  the  oatlis 
and  ceremonies  of  the  institution.  Little  more  was  advanced  in 
favor  of  Masonry. 

A  preacher,  who  said  in  the  commencement  of  the  discussion, 
that  he  was  included  among  its  defendants,  obser\ed  that  it  would 
seem  to  be  useless  to  say  anything  in  defence  of  Masonry,  yet  he 
must  dissent  from  my  remarks.  This  was  about  all  he  said,  except, 
near  the  close,  he  remarked,  that  he  was  a  royal  arch  Mason,  and 
that  the  clause,  "  right  or  wrong,"  contained  in  what  was  called 
Masonry,  were  words  that  had  not  escaped  his  lips,  that  before  God, 
he  Avould  say  to  this  yearly  meeting  he  had  never  taken  such  an 
obligation.     Upon  this  Capt.  D ,  a  brother,  arose,  and  said  that 


m 


'§iM' 


200 


MEMOIRS    OF 


lit  ■  1' 


m 


he  was  ti  royal  arch  mason,  and  felt  tried ;  "  For,"  said  he,  "  I 
once  asked  this  brother,"  alluding  to  the  one  that  had  just  spoken. 
"  how  he  got  along  with  this  part  of  the  obligation,  '•  )'{g/it  or 
wrong  T  He  replied,  that  he  refused  to  take  it,  and  being  urged 
for  half  an  hour,  he  at  last  told  the  one  that  administered  the  oath, 
that  he  would  not  take  it,  if  they  drew  him  in  quarters,  and  that 
ui)on  this,  the  phraseology  Avas  so  changed  that  he  took  the  obliga- 
tion Brother  D.  now  wept  profusely,  and  renounced  his  allegi- 
ance to  the  institution.  To  this  explanation,  the  preacher  that  first 
spoke,  made  no  reply  ;  but  appeared  to  be  much  attached  to  Ma- 
sonry, and  after  the  meeting,  told  me,  that  he  could  go  no  further 
with  me.  I  asked  him  to  go  alone  witli  me  and  pray  ;  he  refused, 
saying,  he  had  gone  with  me  to  the  end  of  his  faith.  It  is  but  just, 
however,  to  add,  that  this  preacher  renounced  his  masonic  obliga- 
tions in  less  than  one  year.  After  many  weighty  and  spiritual 
testimonies,  the  conference  passed  a  resolve,  that  "  Free  IMasonry 
is  the  unfruitful  works  of  darkness,"  entreating  all  their  brethren 
who  had  been  connected  with  it,  to  come  out  from  it  and  have  no 
fellowship  with  it. 

I  had  never  taken  part  in  any  discussion  with  more  reluctance 
than  I  did  on  this  occasion.  My  course  was  entirely  contrary  to 
my  natural  inclination,  to  my  earthly  interest,  and  to  my  expecta- 
tion. I  felt  the  tenderest  regard  for  my  brethren  that  were  Ma- 
sons ;  and  while  I  felt  pressed  by  the  Spirt  of  the  Lord  to  testify 
against  the  system,  I  wept  for  them  day  and  night.  But  what  are 
the  feelings  of  my  brethren,  what  are  my  own  feelings,  when  they 
come  in  competition  with  the  requirements  of  God!  Some  seem- 
ed to  be  offended,  and  the  preacher  named  before,  asked  me  if  1 
had  not  been  employed  to  come  from  N.  York  on  purpose  to  oppose 
Masonry.  But  though  by  this  course  my  influence  with  man}' 
might  be  diminished,  I  enjoyed  what  I  i)rized  above  the  friendship 
of  a  world — peace  of  conscience — peace  with  God. 

On  Saturday,  worship  continued  through  the  day  with  much 
spirituality.  On  the  Sabbath,  the  house  was  crowded  and  hun- 
dreds stood  without.  Elder  Morse  gave  a  short,  but  good  discourse  ; 
after  which,  I  addressed  the  people  about  two  hours.  In  the  after- 
noon. Elder  Harvey  preached  an  interesting  sermon.  The  meet- 
ing was  solemn,  and  at  times  much  tenderness  was  observed  in  tlie 
assembly.  Aflter  it  closed,  as  I  passed  out  of  the  house.  Major  F. 
gave  me  a  dollar ;  tears  started  in  his  eyes,  and  he  said,  "  Pray 
for  me."  I  understood  that  he  had  been  a  Universalist,  also  that 
he  was  the  first  that  publicly  renounced  Masonry  in  Vermont. 

On  IMonday  I  spoke  to  a  considerable  assembly  in  Tunbridge  ; 
some  wept,  and  some  were  happy.     In  the  evening  I  addressed  a 


DAVID    MARKS. 


201 


crowded  coDgregation  in  Strafford.  Next  morning  we  proceeded 
on  our  journey,  and  in  a  little  more  than  two  days  arrived  at  Sand- 
wich in  New  Hampshire. 

On  Thursday,  Oct.  9,  1828,  the  General  Conference  openc  din 
this  town  at  9  o'clock,  A.  M.  Messengers  were  present  from 
Maine  eastern,  and  Maine  western  yearly  meetings, — from  the 
yearly  meetings  in  New  Hamjjshire,  Vermont,  Holland  Purchase, 
and  Ohio,  and  from  the  11. 1,  quarterly  meeting  ;  and  during  its  sit- 
ting, forty  or  fifty  ministers  attended.  Elder  Nathaniel  King,  of  Vt. 
WAS  appointed  moderator,  and  Elder  John  Buzzell,  of  Maine,  as- 
sistant moderator.  At  the  previous  session  in  1827,  brother  IIo- 
sea  Quinby  had  been  chosen  standing  clerk.  Among  the  subjects 
discussed,  on  which  resolves  were  passed  in  Conference  waa  the 
following : — 

Speculative  Free  Masonry. — The  Vermont  yearly  meeting  con- 
ference presented  their  resolves  against  Masonry,  asking  liberty  to 
publish  them  in  the  Morning  Star,  a  religious  paper  designed  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  denomination.  An  indejinite 
postponement  was  moved.  I  had  resolved  that  I  would  be  silent 
on  the  subject.  Brethren  from  Vermont  beckoned  to  me  more 
than  once,  but  I  persisted  in  my  resolution  till  I  felt  that  the  Lord 
required  me  to  open  my  mouth.  Then  I  spoke  against  the  motion, 
and  argued,  from  the  disclosures  that  had  been  made  of  the  se- 
crets of  Masonry — from  the  nature  and  tendency  of  the  institution, 
that  the  resolves  of  the  Vermont  yearly  meeting  were  righteous, 
and  ought  to  be  known  to  the  denomination.  Soon  after  I  com- 
menced speaking,  some  brother  asked  the  moderator  if  I  was  not 
"  out  of  order."  He  answered  in  the  negative,  and  I  continued  my 
address  about  an  hour  with  much  freedom.  I  felt  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  assisting  me,  and  there  was  much  Aveeping  in  the  Conference. 
When  I  spoke — for  anything  I  knew  to  the  contrary, — all  the  fa- 
thers in  the  connexion  that  were  present  might  be  Masons.  But 
my  joy  was  great,  and  I  thanked  God,  on  finding  that  Elders  Buz- 
zell and  King,  and  the  aged  men  that  had  home  the  burden  in  the 
heat  of  the  day,  and  had  led  this  connexion  as  a  flock,  had  ever 
stood  opposed  to  the  institution.  A  large  majority  voted  against 
the  motion,  and  the  conference  agreed  to  give  the  Vermont  yearly 
meeting  conference  liberty  to  publish  their  resolves  in  the  Star.* 

After  an  adjournment,  Elder  Buzzell  asked  me  how  I  dared, 
since  I  was  but  a  young  man,  to  speak  as  I  had  against  Masonry 
before  the  aged,  &c.     I  replied,  in  the  language  of  David,  "  Is 

*  Through  some  means,  or  some  misundcrstnndiDg,  these  partirulars  coiicerninp  Ma- 
sonry never  found  place  in  the  minutes  of  the  General  Conference.  It  is,  however,  but 
just  to  add,  that  the  standing  clerk  is  uot  a  mason.  He  is  a  man  whom  I  highly  es- 
teem. 


:■  /•« 


•^^i 


'  ! 


^m 


202 


MEMOIRS    OF 


mm 

m  u 


there  not  a  cause  ?"     He  said  with  a  smile,  "  Tes — is  there  not  a 


cause 


9» 


The  business  of  the  Conference  in  j^eneral,  was  conducted  with 
mu<'h  unanimity  of  sentiment  and  feeling  ;  and  all  af)peared  to  be 
of  the  opinion,  that  the  continuance  of  a  General  Conference  was 
needful  for  the  prosperity  of  the  denomination.  Still,  some  fear- 
ed that  its  resolves  might  yet  be  so  construed  as  to  form  a  disci- 
pline, and  thus  supplant  one  of  the  first  [)rinciples  of  the  denomi- 
nation, viz.  "  To  hold  the  New  Testament  as  the  only  Avritten  law 
or  rule  for  the  government  of  the  church."  I  understood,  howev- 
er, that  all  the  members  of  the  Conference  considered  the  object 
of  this  convention  to  be,  not  to  male  laws  for  the  church,  but  to 
search  for  an  understanding  of  the  perfect  law  that  Christ  has  made, 
and  hold  it  up  for  the  benefit  of  all.  For  "  in  the  multitude  of 
counsellors  there  is  safety/." 

The  meeting  of  business  continued  three  days ;  and  durhig  the 
time,  meetings  of  worship  were  held  on  every  evening,  at  one,  two, 
or  three  places,  and  once  or  twice  in  the  afternoon.  On  one  eve- 
ning I  spoke  at  the  Ridge  meeting-house,  from  James  4:10 : 
"  ffumlle  yourselves  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord"  On  the  Sabl)ath, 
meetings  were  held  at  two  meeting  houses  in  Sandwich.  In  the 
forenoon,  a  funeral  discourse  was  pi-eached  on  the  death  of  Elder 
Tliomas  Jackson,  at  one  place,  by  Elder  J.  White,  and  at  the  other 
by  Elder  A.  Caverno.  A  solemn  season  was  enjoyed  at  the  old 
meeting  house ;  and  at  the  Ridge,  I  understood  that  it  was  a  time 
of  much  weeping.  In  the  afternoon  I  spoke  at  the  old  meeting 
house  ;  and  in  the  evening,  worship  was  attended  in  various  parts 
of  the  town,  and  some  appearances  of  a  revival  rejoiced  our 
hearts. 

On  Monday  I  went  to  the  house  of  sister  Quinby,  a  widow  in 
Israel.  I  was  in  this  family  four  years  before,  and  now  under- 
stood, that  at  the  first  meeting  which  I  then  held,  while  I  w\asS 
speaking  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ,  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  bless 
the  word  to  the  awakening  of  Hosea,  a  son  of  sister  Quinby.  In 
about  two  months  he  obtained  peace,  soon  became  a  preacher 
and  was  now  clerk  of  the  General  Conference.*  '  O  Lord,  help 
him  and  me  to  be  humble  as  the  apostolic  Christians,  and  meek  as 
the  holy  Jesus.' 

The  ensuing  week  was  occupied  in  preaching  in  Parsonsfield, 
Newfield,  Limerick,  and  attending  the  Parsonsfield  quarterly  meet- 
ing in  Limington,  Me.  In  the  latter  place,  several  had  been  re- 
cently converted,  and  the  church  had  at  this  time,  between  two  and 
three  hundred  members. 

*  Mr.  Quinby  is  now  principal  of  Sniithville  Seminnry,  in  R,  Island.     [Ed. 


■!,.t 


DAVID    MARKS. 


203 


Having  sent  appointments  to  AVcarc  quarterly  meeting,  antl  al- 
so to  the  north  part  of  Vermont,  Tuesday,  Oct.  1,  I  left  brother 
Van  Tnyl,  expecting  to  meet  him  in  Sutton,  Vermont,  and  preach- 
ed in  the  evening  at  Weeks'  corner  in  Parsonsfiehl.  The  school 
house  was  filled,  about  fifty  stood  without,  and  though  the  evening 
was  cold,  they  continued  to  hear  till  the  discourse  was  closed. 
Many  wept.  Monday  evening  I  spoke  to  three  or  four  hundred 
in  Sandwich  ;  after  which  I  received  an  interesting  letter  from  a 
young  man  of  that  town,  who  informed  me,  that  at  the  meetings  I 
had  lately  attended  in  that  place,  his  mind  was  much  wrought  up- 
on by  the  Spirit ;  that  he  had  been  brought  to  repent  of  his  sins, 
and  that  now  his  heart  was  filled  with  the  love  of  God,  «fec.*  '  () 
thr.t  the  Lord  may  bless  and  keep  him  in  the  truth  of  Jesus.' 

I  next  visited  several  churches  in  Wcare  quarterly  meeting.  In 
Bradford  I  found,  to  my  great  joy,  that  God  was  again  pouring  out 

*Tliis  young  man  was  Samuel  Dekde,  u  (luaker.  lie  was  well  eilucated,  and  pog- 
st.^sed  more  than  a  coinnion  inti'llcct.  As  he  al'lerwards  was  n  prominent  man  in  ihe 
Frfe-»"ill  Haptixt  denomination,  and  exerted  much  iniluenee  over  the  subject  of  tliis  Me- 
moir, t.ie  reader  may  be  interested  in  an  extract  ironi  this  letter. — Ed. 

'•  My  Christian  Brother, 

Thou  may  est  think  strange  at  being  thus  addressed  by  a  stranger,  but  af- 
ter a  little  explanation,  thou  mnyest  not  wonder  ihat  I  should  have  a  deisire  to  do  thus. 
On  Thursday,  the  9th  inst.,  I  met  a  stranger  in  the  street  whose  countenance  greatly 
struck  me,  and  I  said  with  myself,  "This  Is  a  heavenly  messenger."  On  the  evening  of 
the  ftdlowliig  day,  I  attended  meeting  where  I  had  been  told  that  David  Marks,  a  stran- 
ger from  Ihe  west,  was  expected  to  preach.  He  was  the  man  whom  I  met  in  the  street. 
And  indeed  ho  did  preach — and  he  preached  the  i^os^pcl  too,  which  touched  my  heart,  and 
smote  my  breast  with  deep  repentance,  and  kindled  the  most  ardent  desire,  to  become  a 
true  follower  of  .lesus.  The  next  ilay,  I  attended  meeting  in  the  P.  M.,  but  I  saw  noth- 
ing of  Unvid  again  till  the  12th,  in  the  A.  M.,  I  saw  him  weeping.  I'rubably.  thought  I, 
his  lieart  is  tilled  with  the  love  of  Jesus,  and  with  a  sense  of  Ihe  undone  situation  of 
poor  sinners,  and  these  things  cause  him  to  weep.  1  thought  then,  David  will  have 
something  f(>r  us  this  afternoon,  and  my  expectations  were  realized;  for  the  gospel  was 
again  proclaimed,  and  reached  the  hearts  of  many.  Blessed  be  God  our  Savior,  for  the 
love  of  Jesus  that  filled  my  heart.  I  shall  never  forget  it  while  1  live.  When  the  meet- 
ing closed,  I  felt  as  though  I  must  sjieak  with  David  before  he  left  the  town  ;  but,  as  I 
could  not  then,  I  concluded  to  attend  the  evening  meeting  where  Elder  Bowles  was  ex- 
pected to  i)reach.  Perhaps  thon  mayest  recollect  that  as  thou  wast  about  to  enter  the 
house,  a  person  inquired  thy  name,  and  then  fell  into  weeping.  That  was  the  person 
who  now  addresses  thee.  So  unexpected  an  interview,  together  with  a  sense  of  the 
low  state  of  Zion,  and  of  the  wickedness  of  my  own  heart,  filled  me  with  such  tender- 
ness, and  such  desires  for  the  prosperity  of  the  church,  and  the  repentance  of  sinners, 
that  1  could  not  refrain  from  weeping.  But  ah!  my  friend,  when  I  come  to  speak  of  the 
meeting,  words  and  language  must  fail  me.  The  blessed  joys  of  that  heavenly  season 
cannot  be  expressed.  1  was  never  at  such  a  meeting  before.  The  power  of  the  gospel 
was  poured  forth  as  a  river.  It  seemed  to  me  the  whole  audience  were  almost  persuad- 
ed to  be  Christians.  Several,  I  know,  were  smitten  to  the  heart  and  almost  ready  to 
come  forward  and  confess  Jesus  their  Savior  :  and  I  will  tell  thee,  my  friend,  that  I  was 
one  of  those  myself  who  had  long  been  almost  persuaded  to  be  a  (Miristian.  M>  situa- 
tion and  feelings  were  told  to  me  by  Elder  Bowles  and  my  friend  David  much  better 
than  I  eoidd  have  told  them  myself.  *  *  My  soul  was  completely  filled  with  the  l<)ve 
of  Jesus,  and  I  thought  that  if  it  should  appear  to  be  my  duty,  1  should  be  willing  to  tes- 
tify for  Jesus  at  that  meeting.  But  1  could  not  see  that  I  had  anything  more  to  do  at 
that  time  tlmn  submit  to  the  will  of  God,  and  tell  my  feelings  to  those  vvlio  had  handled 
His  word  soskillfully  for  the  good  of  my  soul.  Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  I.nrd  for  the 
peace  I  flnil  in  submitting  my  will  to  His.  Do,  my  friend,  pray  forme  and  the  others 
who  were  with  me  tenderly  afTected  at  that  meeting. 

Since  that  evening,  my  soul  has  been  filled  with  tenderness  and  prayer.  Wee))ing  and 
mourning  over  Zion  have  been  my  constant  companions.  My  very  heart  seems  willing 
to  leave  all  and  follow  Jesus,    1  almost  long  to  go  with   David    to  proclaim  salvation  to 


W^'^ 


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'is. 


"   .     i'! 


M 


204 


MRMOmS    OP 


his  spirit  on  this  people,  aivl  that  eighty  peraons  had  professed  to 
pass  from  death  unto  life.  Several  of  the  converts,  1  understood, 
dated  their  awak(^nin<jj  from  the  revival  in  this  place  nearly  tive 
years  heforc.  I  hehl  two  meetings  Avith  them,  and  we  were  hap- 
pier than  the  kings  of  the  earlh.  Fishersficld  had  also  been  bless- 
ed with  some  revival.  Thursday,  October  30,  I  rode  lifty-nine 
miles  to  Lisbon  and  ])reached  in  the  evening.  My  soul  was  hap- 
py. The  day  following  I  held  a  meeting  in  Waterford,  Vt.  Somt.' 
wept,  others  rejoi(;ed  and  thought  this  a  good  meeting ;  but  to  mo 
it  was  a  dark  time. 

On  Saturday  I  was  joined  by  brother  Van  Tuyl.  Sabbath  we 
met  about  four  hundred  people  assembled  in  the  meeting  house 
built  by  Elder  John  Colby.  A  large  number  of  this  assembly 
were  disciples  of  Jesus.  In  the  forenoon  I  spoke  from  Isa.  25:6, 
7,  8:  and  in  the  afternoon  from  Mark  16:15,  16.  In  both  meet- 
ings, I  believe  the  Lord  stood  at  my  right  hand  and  blessed  the 
word  of  truth.  In  the  evening  we  were  accompanied  by  Elder 
Jonathan  Woodman  and  wife,  to  the  house  of  brother  David  Colby, 
a  preacher  of  the  gospel,  and  a  brother  to  John  Colby,  who  now 
rests  from  his  labors.  We  held  a  meeting  in  the  neighborhood, 
and  spent  the  night  at  the  dwelling  of  brother  Colby.  In  this 
house,  Elder  John  Colby  lived  in  youth,  and  from  it  commenced 
his  extensive  travels  and  gospel  labors,  which  wore  out  his  life  in 
the  morning  of  his  days.  My  mind  was  filled  with  solemn  reflec- 
tion, while  viewing  the  places  that  had  witnessed  his  tears,  and 
lodging  in  the  room  which  he  finished  for  his  place  of  rest,  study, 
and  devotion.  In  the  morning  we  visited  his  father,  Dea.  Thomas 
Colby,  whom  we  found  in  the  evening  of  life,  strong  in  the  Lord, 
and  waiting  in  full  expectation  of  the  rest  that  his  son,  and  some  others 
of  his  family,  had  gone  to  enjoy.  After  a  short  and  agreeable  vis- 
it, we  returned  Avith  brother  Woodman,  from  whom  we  received 
some  favors.     "  It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive." 

Our  interview  Avith  brother  Woodman  was  interesting.  He  had 
just  returned  from  Montpelier,  where  he  had  served  as  chaplain  to 
the  legislature  in  its  last  session.  He  Avas  called  to  the  ministry  at 
an  early  age,  and,  through  the  blessing  of  God,  his  labors  have 
been  very  useful.  He  is  still  but  a  young  man.  For  the  sake  of 
Zion,  may  his  life  be  continued  long  on  the  earth.  On  Tuesday 
forenoon  Ave  held  a  meeting  in  the  north  part  of  Danville.     It  was 


K'H  ' 


llill 


dying  sinners.  If  my  God  should  call  me,  I  feel  as  though  I  could  say  with  thee,  '  I 
will  preach  the  gospel,  if  1  beg  my  hrend."  Do  assure  thyself  that  as  an  Shibtissiidor  of 
JesuB,  thou  hnst  the  hiirhest  nffection  of  my  soul  in  the  love  of  the  gospel.  My  spirit 
goes  with  thee  in  carrying  tlie  gospel  to  sinners.  My  daily  prayers  are  for  thy  success 
and  prosjierity  in  the  truth.  .May  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  Ihec  henceforth  and 
forever.  Amen.  Yours  in  love,  Samuel  Debde. 

Sandwich,  Oct.  21.  1828. 


''.f1 


H' 


DAVID   MARKS. 


205 


38C(l  lO 

rstooil, 
ly  live 
0  lisip- 

'ty-nin«^ 
as  hap- 

t  to  mo 

atli  wo 

r    llOUf'O, 

^scmbly 
;a.  25:6, 
11  meet- 
ised  tho 
J  Elder 
i  Colby, 
■ho  now 
jorhood, 

In  this 
imenced 
5  life  in 
n  reflec- 
ars,  and 
5t,  study, 
Thomas 
le  Lord, 
le  others 
able  vis- 

eceived 

He  had 

plain  to 

nistry  at 

)rs  have 

sake  of 

Tuesday 

It  was 


th  thee,  "  1 
biissador  ol' 
My  spirit 
liy  success 
ccforlh  aiiJ 

[,  BF.GDB' 


a  solemn  season,  yet  if  the  Lord  sent  us  to  this  place,  it  might  be 
said  to  the  people,  "  I  was  a  hungered,  and  ye  gave  me  no  meat : 
— I  was  a  stranger  and  ye  took  me  not  in  ;"  for  no  one  invited  us 
to  take  any  refreshment — so  we  proceeded  on  our  way  in  the  rain. 
IJut  it  is  enough  that  the  servant  be  as  his  Lord.  Continuing  our 
journey,  we  attended  meetings  in  Topsham,  Orange,  Corinth,  Tun- 
bridge — and  on  Saturday  arrived  at  Randolph.  These  opportuni- 
ties were  blessed  of  the  Lord.  '  O,  that  I  may  meet  some  fruits 
of  them  in  heaven.' 

Sabbath,  Nov.  9,  1828,  T  preached  with  freedom  to  about  seven 
Innidred  people  in  Randolph,  from  Ps.  50:21,  22.  They  were 
generally  solemn,  and  many  wept.  AVe  were  affectionately  receiv- 
ed in  brother  Arnold's  family,  who,  with  other  brethren  and  friends, 
conununicated  to  us  liberally  such  things  as  we  needed.  May  the 
Lord  reward  their  kindness.  In  the  afternoon.  Elder  Ziba  Pope 
accompanied  us  twelve  miles  to  Bethel,  where  I  preached  in  the 
evening.  We  staid  at  an  inn,  and  in  the  morning  J21der  Pope 
kindly  paid  our  bill.  We  then  parted  with  him,  crossed  the  Green 
Mountains  to  West  Rutland,  and  on  the  next  day  preached  in 
Kingsbury,  but  had  a  dark,  trying  time.  Yet  the  saying  of  our 
Lord,  "  Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit,^^  &c.,  comforted  me.  We 
next  h(!ld  meetings  in  Wilton  and  Broad  Albin ;  and  on  Saturday 
arrived  at  Plainfield,  N.  Y.  Sabbath  forenoon,  we  enjoyed  a  good 
season  at  the  Free  Communion  Baptist  meeting  house  in  Winfield, 
and  in  the  afternoon,  I  preached  to  a  few  in  the  Seventh-Day  Bap- 
tist meeting  house  at  Brookfield.  We  stopped  the  next  day  with 
my  fi'iend  S.  Gardiner,  and  held  a  meeting  at  his  house.  But,  alas ! 
how  had  seven  years  changed  the  scene — and  how  different  was 
the  general  state  of  feeling  from  what  it  was  eight  years  be- 
fore, when  sinners  were  flocking  to  Jesus !  As  the  converts  were 
not  gathered  into  any  particular  church,  they  had  become  greatly 
scattered.  Some  had  joined  different  denominations,  some  had 
backslidden,  some  had  removed,  and  some  had  gone  "  the  way  of 
all  the  earth."  "\^Tiile  viewing  the  different  state  of  things,  I  ex- 
claimed with  sorrow,  "  How  is  the  gold  become  dim !  how  is  the 
most  fine  gold  changed !"  The  godly  man  hath  ceased,  and  the 
voice  of  devotion  hath  faltered  on  the  lips  of  the  convert.  The 
Lord  gave  me  freedom  in  speaking :  yet  a  cloud  of  thick  darkness 
seemed  to  hang  over  the  people,  and  Zion  appeared  to  be  clothed 
with  mourning.  Yet  I  had  a  witness  that  my  garments  were  clear 
from  the  blood  of  sinners  in  Brookfield. 

AVednesday,  Nov.  19,  we  proceeded  to  Norwich,  and  were  kind- 
ly received  by  brother  Richmond  and  family.     A  few  had  been 
converted  and  six  had  been  baptized  since  my  former  visit.     In 
the  evening  we  held  a  meeting ;  and  the  next  day  went  to  an  ap- 
18 


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206 


SiSMOIBS    OF 


pointmont  at  the  wliite  meeting  house  on  the  Unadilla  river;  but 
the  (lay  being  stormy,  the  door  was  locked,  and  only  one  person 
appeared.  Wc  kneeled  on  the  steps,  united  in  prayer,  and  then 
departed.  Soon  we  met  with  several  whose  attention  had  been  at- 
tracted, and  they  solicited  us  to  r(!turn.  The  door  being  opened, 
about  twenty  assembled,  and  I  spok(^  from  Luke  10:42. 

On  B'riday  we  held  a  meeting  in  Eaton,  and  were  blessed  with 
the  free  Spirit.  We  proceeded  to  Fabius  and  tarried  over  the 
Sabbath.  I  gave  two  discourses  and  brother  Van  Tuyl  one. 
Monday  we  met  a  large  assembly  in  Spafford,  and  saw  some  signs 
of  a  good  work.  One  said,  that  when  we  came  to  this  place  be- 
fore, she  was  in  her  sins,  but  the  Lord  sent  the  word  to  her  heart, 
and  she  believed  he  had  converted  her  soul.  After  preaching  in 
the  north  part  of  tlie  town,  we  held  meetings  as  we  proceeded,  in 
Elbridge,  Gate  and  Mentz.  Friday,  Nov.  28,  we  arrived  at  ray 
father's,  and,  unexpectedly,  found  my  sister,  whom  we  left  at  the 
point  of  death,  still  alive.  Her  health  Avas  partially  restored,  and 
she  appeared  much  conceraed  for  the  salvation  of  her  soul. 

Sabbath,  Nov.  30,  though  laboring  under  much  indis[)osition,  I 
attended  two  meetings  in  Junius ;  and  the  next  day,  on  our  way  to 
Canandaigua,  preached  to  a  few  in  Waterloo  with  freedom.  We 
were  affectionately  received  by  our  friends  in  Canandaigua.  Here 
brother  Van  Tuyl  left  me,  and  returned  to  his  parents  in  Jerusa- 
lem. During  the  time  he  had  accompanied  me,  he  generally  labor- 
ed under  great  trials  respecting  his  duty  in  the  church.  He  pray- 
ed much,  and  sometimes,  after  the  journey  of  the  day,  spent  half 
the  night  in  supplication  to  God.  Still  he  seemed  to  have  as  deep 
a  sense  of  his  unworthiness  as  any  Christian  I  ever  saw.  But 
about  the  time  of  our  return,  he  became  settled  in  the  belief,  that 
God  had  called  him  to  the  gospel  ministry,  and  that  he  would 
strengthen  him  in  obedience.  He  had  generally  spoken  by  exhor- 
tation ;  but  now  he  resolved  to  give  himself  up  to  God,  and  ven- 
ture forth  preaching  the  doctrine  of  the  gospel,  and  his  peace  be- 
came settled.  We  had  journeyed  with  each  other  fifteen  hundred 
miles  ;  our  heartg  were  knit  together,  and  we  enjoyed  the  sweetest 
union  :  yes,  we  truly  knew  the  joys  of  Christian  friendship.  Pre- 
vious to  our  separation,  we  retired  and  joined  in  solemn  prayer. 


DAVm    MARKS. 


20^ 


CIIAPTKU  XX. 

Particulars  of  my  Travels,  Sfc.  for  jive  months  after  my  Jieturn 

front  New  Jthiyhmd. 

• 

Saturday,  Dec.  6,  1828,  I  attended  montlily  meeting  with  the 
church  in  Canandaigua,  and  our  hearts  were  comforted  together. 
1  continued  in  the  town  a  few  days,  and  hehl  several  meetings.  In 
the  first  of  these,  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  send  the  word  with  jiower 
to  the  heart  of  a  young  num  who  had  been  much  oi)posed  to  God 
and  his  people.  Others  also  became  serious,  and  an  encouraging 
pros[)ect  caused  joy  to  spring  up  in  our  hearts. 

During  this  month,  I  went  to  the  Holland  Purchase,  visited  many 
churches,  and  enjoyed  some  precious  seasons.  In  Clarkson  and 
Parma,  a  revival  had  commenced  under  the  labors  of  Elder  Eli 
Hannibal,  and  was  progressing  gloriously.  In  the  last  of  the 
month  I  returned  eastward,  and  on  Saturday  and  Sabbath,  Jan. 
3  and  4,  1829,  attended  the  Ontario  quarterly  meeting  at  Galen. 
Several  were  awakened  and  one  hopefully  converted.  It  was  said 
that  no  session  of  this  quarterly  meeting  had  been  so  interesting 
as  this.  Several  received  letters  of  commendation  to  preach  the 
gospel,  and  three  churches  containing  about  ninety  members,  were 
received  into  the  quarterly  meeting. 

From  Galen  I  returned  to  Canandaigua,  and,  to  my  great  joy,  I 
found  an  increasing  attention  to  the  things  of  God.  .On  the  9th 
and  10th  of  January,  several  others,  with  myself,  went  from  Can- 
andaigua to  attend  the  Benton  quarterly  meeting  at  Middlesex. 
Among  the  number  was  the  young  man,  that  was  awakened  at  my 
first  meeting  after  my  return  from  N.  England,  and  also  his  com- 
panion, whom  he  had  just  married.  She  was  also  seeking  the  Ix)rd. 
We  enjoyed  a  comforting  season  through  the  meeting,  and  at  the 
close  the  young  man's  wife  was  brought  into  liberty.  On  Monday 
we  returned  to  Canandaigua,  and  in  the  evening  had  a  meeting. 
After  several  had  spoken,  the  young  man  said,  it  had  been  a  sub- 
ject of  much  query  with  him,  why  he  did  not  find  a  pardon  of  hh 
sins.  "  But,"  said  he,  "  I  have  concluded,  it  is  because  I  have  not 
given  up  my  young  companions,  for  still  I  fear  their  persecutions 
and  dread  their  vain  laughter.  I  will  give  them  up."  Then  he 
fell  on  his  knees  and  solemnly  bade  his  associates  farewell,  declar- 
ing, that  by  the  help  of  God,  he  would  go  with  tliem  in  sin  no 
longer.  He  arose,  sat  awhile,  then  fell  again  on  his  knees  and 
said,  "  O  Loi-d  God,  thou  hast  converted  my  companion,  and  why 
may  not  my  poor  soul  be  converted  !"     Soon  his  voice  seemed  to 


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UEMOIRS    OF 


falter,  and  aftor  a  litth;  p;iiHo,  Ik;  said,  "  Lonl,  it  bnj^ins  to  come ; 
I  thank  thoc — but  tlicro  is  som(?  buiilciii  yet  left ;  Lord,  take  it  all 
away."  llo  H(><>in<Ml  to  plead  with  God,  as  a  man  plcadoth  to  the 
face  of  a  fricMid,  till  his  burden  wan  all  removed.  Then  he  aro.-c 
and  praise<l  the  Lord  aloud,  and  took  «very  unconverted  person  in 
the  ass(!mbly  by  the  hand,  and  exhorte*!  each  to  forsake  sin,  and 
bcjjfin  with  him  to  seek  for  immortality.  I  never  saw  the  hand  of 
fJod  mor(!  visible  in  tin;  conversion  of  a  soul,  than  in  this  instance. 
The  ass(  inbly  was  small,  and  there  was  not  one  whose  heart  was 
nninoved,  or  that  refused  to  ben<l  the  knee.  From  this  time  the 
.seriousness  of  several  be«jan  to  increase. 

Ilavinnr  been  appointed  with  brother  Van  Tuyl  to  preach  once 
in  two  weeks  with  the  ehurcln's  in  the  lJ<'nton  (juarterly  meetiuf^. 
the  ensuing  two  w<!eks  were  occupied  with  my  first  tour.  Some 
of  tile  assemblies  were  very  large,  and  were  scenes  of  thrilling  in- 
terest. 

Sabbath,  Feb.  1,  1820,  w.as  ns  beautiful  a  wint(;r  day  as  I  ever 
saw.  It  seemed  to  me  that  the  earth  was  fidl  of  the  glory  of 
the  Lord.  I  sjwke  to  a  considerable  assembly  in  Milo,  and  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  meeting  much  solemnity  rested  on  the  peojde. 
*  O  that  men  would  give  "  earnest  /iccd"  to  the  things  wliich  belong 
to  their  eternal  peace,  in  tlie  day  of  their  visitation.'  My  health 
had  become  so  impaired  by  my  excessive  labors,  that  I  thought  it 
duty  to  rest  a  little,  and  refused  the  entreaties  of  some  friends  to 
attend  a  meeting  in  the  evening.  But,  nothwithstanding,  they  gave 
out  the  appointment.  I  endeavored  to  speak  to  the  people,  though 
in  much  we<ikness,  and  with  little  libert}'. 

Feb.  7,  I  attended  a  meeting  in  Canandaigua,  and  found  the 
prospect  so  promising,  that  I  decided  to  remain  and  labor  for  a  lit- 
tle season  with  the  people.  The  next  day  wtus  the  Sabbath.  Af- 
ter the  close  of  my  evening  sermon,  a  daughter  of  a  noted  deist 
arose,  confessed  her  need  of  salvation  and  determination  to  seek  it. 
For  four  days  I  visited  and  prayed  from  house  to  house,  and  re- 
joiced to  find  a  few  resolved  to  seek  salvation.  I  attended  two 
meetings,  in  one  of  which  I  spoke  from  the  saying  of  certain 
Greeks,  "  Sir,  we  ivould  see  Jesus."  A  desire  to  see  Jesus  was  in- 
creased in  the  minds  of  some,  several  kneeled,  their  cries  and 
groans  were  heard  through  the  assembly,  and  one  was  converted. 

On  Saturday  and  Sabbath  I  attended  appointments  in  Poultney. 
and  in  the  early  part  of  the  week  held  three  meetings  in  Canandai- 
gua ;  some  confessed  their  sins,  and  one  professed  to  be  born  of  God. 
I  visited  a  man  that  had  been  sick  the  greater  part  of  two  years, 
and  was  now  given  over  by  his  physician.  He  said  that  he  had 
never  been  confined  a  day  till  this  sickness ;  yet  he  had  neither 
feared  nor  served  God ;  and  now  he  was  confident  he  had  but  few 


once 


Some 


ends  to 


I 


DAVID    MARKS. 


2on 


<la)f»  to  live — wan  still  nnpicpiin-*!,  un«l  liad  iiuTnI  frais  of  the 
ilinii;4<'  l<»  which  he  wius  swiftly  luistcnio*^.  With  hitt*  r  wcepinj; 
jio  liiiueiitcd  his  iir;;l*'('t,  and  cried  to  ( lod  I'oi-  nicrcv.  and  a^ked 
otiieiv  fo  pray  tor  him.  Alas!  what  nudtitiidcs  (hiis  ne;;lcct  ( iud, 
and  are  tilii  d  with  confii-tion  when  dcalh  hcj^ins  to  east  its  j^looniy 
>liade  around  (li'in.  'J'hey  see  the  end  of  their  associaU  s,  yet  re- 
fuse to  tak«  vurnin^,  lill  they  iheniscdves  are  plnn;^<'d  into  the  samp 
wo.  "  O  that  turn  uuic  irixi;  (Init  ihtt/  tronhl  rotisfdrr  f/irir  Utttvr 
rnJ."  Friday,  Feb.  20,  brotlier  William  Van  Tnyl  had  an  ap- 
pointment to  preach  with  us  j  hot  as  ho  did  not  conic,  I  pive  a  dis- 
course. We  enj(»y«'d  a  favoi'cil  season  :  two  sjioke  and  refpiested 
prayers.  Our  meetin;,'s  on  the  Sabbath  were  >-nlcnm.  I  j^ave  ft 
discoiMse  from  Jer.  8:20  :  "  T/ic  /tarirst  is  jxisf,  the  sinnnicr  is  end- 
ed, (tiid  we  arc  not  sarrd." 

On  Tuesday  I  left  C'anandaigua  to  p;o  to  the  Snstpieliatma  river, 
ijitendiiifif  to  return  iiiiinedial«'ly.  I  was  informed  at  Waterloo,  that 
brother  William  Van  Tuyl  was  sick  with  tla;  nnim[)s,  which  was 
the  reason  he  did  not  attend  his  appointment.  On  Thursday  eve- 
ning I  arrived  at  the  house  of  KIder  K.  Dodge  in  Drydeii,  and 
here  I  heard,  "William  Van  Ti  vi-  Is  dead/"  For  a  few  min- 
utes I  was  "  slow  of  heart  to  l»elieve  ;"  then  the  reality  rushed  up- 
on me  like  a  flood ;  and  for  ludf  an  hour  grief  so  overcame  me, 
that  I  eould  scarcely  retain  my  breath.  '  William  was  dear  to  me, 
and  it  seemed  but  yesterday  that  he  held  my  hand  and  j)rayed  by 
my  si<le.  I  felt  that  the  hand  of  the  Lord  had  indeed  touched 
me.  William,  my  companion  in  travel,  and  in  the  bonds  of  the 
gospel,  is  gone ;  and  I  shall  not  see  him  again  till  I  go  to  the  other 
world.  O  what  a  satisfaction  it  would  be  eould  I  have  one  more 
conversation  with  him.  But  no!  if  1  visit  his  grave,  it  will  be  si- 
lent ;  and  if  I  speak  at  his  tomb,  it  will  not  answer  me.  William 
was  my  friend.  I  knew  of  none  on  earth  that  loved  me  more. 
Many  a  half  night  have  we  spent  together,  wdien  the  fields  witness- 
ed our  devotions,  and  the  Lord  heard  our  prayers.  I  anticjipated 
comfort  with  him  in  days  to  come.  But  now  he  is  cut  off  from  life 
at  the  early  age  of  twenty-three.  O,  liow  suddeidy  was  he  called  ! 
In  the  vigor  of  health,  and  in  the  strength  of  youth,  he  has  fallen.' 
Leaving  Dryden,  I  rode  more  than  twenty  miles,  to  Owego,  with- 
out stopping ;  and  for  several  miles  I  could  not  refrain  from  weep- 
ing aloud. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  week  I  went,  by  request,  to  visit  a  revi- 
val in  Greece,  near  Rochester,  and  attended  a  conference,  which 
was  conducted  as  these  useful  meetings  generally  are  in  times  of 
revival.  It  was  thought  one  hundred  in  the  vicinity  had  experi- 
enced a  saving  change  within  four  months.  I  preached  three  times 
with  much  freedom,  and  rejoiced  to  hear  the  converts  praise  the 
18* 


I 


4 


ir 


.  it  ^^1 


■  *1 


,f-iV 


210 


MEMOIRS    OF 


::,;i 


Lord.     They  were  much  engaged ;   their  testimonies  were  in  the 
Spirit,  and  in  nuiek  succession. 

Returning  u,  Canandaigua,  I  spent  the  Sabbath,  March  15^  with 
the  church.  Our  evening  meeting  was  rendered  very  solemn  by 
the  power  of  God.  Five  spoke  in  a  -'cry  affecting  manner,  and  ex- 
pressed much  anxiety  to  find  salvation.  At  the  close  of  the  meet- 
ing, twenty  persons  promised  to  observe  the  next  day  as  a  solemn 
fast.  Then  a  young  convert,  who  had  acknowledged  that  the  Scrip- 
tures required  him  to  be  baptized,  but  had  neglected  this  command- 
ment, because  he  felt  no  particular  impression  to  obedience,  arose 
and  said,  that  he  now  considered  it  his  duty  to  keep  all  his  Lord's 
precepts,  and,  as  the  next  day  was  appointed  for  a  fast,  he  wouM 
follow  his  Lord  in  baptism.  Accordingly,  at  the  hour  appointed, 
the  people  assembled,  and  the  Lord  met  with  us.  The  young  man 
was  baptized,  and  became  a  useful  member  of  the  church. 

During  the  week,  I  commenced  a  second  tour  through  the 
churches  of  Benton  quarterly  meeting.  March  27,  I  met  an  as- 
sembly at  the  school  house  in  Milo,  w4iere  brother  Van  Tuyl  had 
preached  his  last  discourse.  I  stood  in  the  place  once  occupied  by 
him,  and  with  many  tears  gave  vent  to  the  feelings  of  my  heart.  I 
spent  the  night  at  the  house  of  brother  Randolph,  where  brother 
Van  Tuyl  closed  his  eyes  in  death.  The  family  gave  me  the  fol- 
lowing particulars:  After  returning  from  his  appointment,  he  laid 
himself  on  the  bed  and  said,  "  I  shall  no  more  an'se."  They  then 
sent  twelve  miles  to  his  parents,  and  informed  them  of  his  situa- 
tion. "NVlien  his  mother  entered  his  apartment,  she  was  surprised 
at  his  feeble  appearance,  and  exclaimed,  "  O  William,  my  son,  do 
you  think  you  shall  get  well  ?"  He  replied,  "  Dear  mother,  it 
concerns  me  little,  whether  I  live  or  die."  Having  taken  cold, 
while  travelling  to  meet  his  appointments,  his  disorder  was  past 
cure.  He  endured  severe  distress  with  much  patience,  and  often 
expressef".  his  willingness  to  depart.  He  adjusted  his  temporal 
concerns  with  calmness,  and  gave  a  suit  of  clothes  to  a  poor  preach- 
er. His  constitution  was  naturally  strong,  but  in  one  week  it 
yielded  to  the  violence  of  disorder,  and  he  approached  the  gate  of 
death.  His  friends,  seeing  that  he  was  failing  fast,  asked  him  the 
state  of  his  mind.  Being  unable  to  talk,  he  requested  a  hymn 
book,  and  pointed  them  to  the  twenty-seventh  hymn,  of  the  tir^t 
book  of  Dr.  Watts,  as  expressive  of  his  feelings. 

"  Death  may  dissolve  my  body  now, 

And  bear  my  spirit  liome  ; 
Why  do  my  minutes  move  so  slow, 

Nor  my  deliverer  come."  &c. 

During  his  sickness,  he  had  not  once  expressed  a  desire  to  re- 
cover, but  seemed  to  rejoice  in  the  expectation  of  his  change.     Be- 


ir 


DAVID  MARKS. 


211 


ing  asked  if  he  felt  willing  to  depart,  he  said,  ''  Yes."  This  was 
his  last  word ;  then,  with  sweet  composure  in  his  countenance,  he 
Hfted  his  hand  toward  heaven, — it  fell  on  his  bosom,  and  he  sunk 
in  the  embraces  of  death.  He  had  requested  that  I  sliould  preax'h 
at  his  funeral ;  but  his  parents  not  knowing  where  they  could  find 
me,  called  on  Elder  Bignall,  who  delivered  a  sermon  on  the  oc- 
casion. 

Previous  to  his  journey  to  New  England,  lie  had  intended  to 
study  medicine,  and  made  an  engagement  for  that  purpose;  but,  at 
the  yearly  meeting  in  IMiddlescx,  the  earnest  requests  for  preach- 
ing that  were  presented  from  almost  every  direction,  touched  hi;> 
heart,  and  reminded  him  of  his  call.  Retiring  with  me  to  a  field, 
he  fell  on  his  face,  and  for  a  long  time  wept  aloud ;  then  he  cov- 
enanted to  abandon  his  temporal  prospects,  and  submit  himself  to 
God.  After  returning  from  New  England,  till  his  last  sickness  he 
preached  constantly,  with  freedom,  and  to  general  satisfaction.  I 
saw  him  for  the  last  time  at  the  January  term  of  the  Benton  quar- 
terly meeting,  and  then,  expecting  to  meet  soon,  we  parted  with- 
out bidding  each  other  farewell.  Thus  thousands  of  friends  se})- 
arate,  expecting  soon  to  sec  each  other,  but  meet  not  again  in  this 
world.  On  Saturday  morning  I  spent  more  than  two  hours  at  his 
grave  in  solemn  reflection,  and  felt  that  it  was  better  for  me  to  go 
to  the  tomb  of  a  friend,  than  to  visit  the  house  of  mii-th. 

I  held  four  meetings  in  Milo,  and  one  in  Darrington  ;  and  on 
Wednesday,  preached  in  Middlesex.  Signs  of  revival  in  this  vi- 
cinity had  encouraged  the  brethren,  and  ten  now  covenanted  to 
seek  the  Lord.  Some  of  them  wept  aloud,  and  appeared  to  be 
near  the  kingdom  of  God.  Shortly  afterwards,  the  greater  part  of 
these  professed  to  find  Christ.  I  held  meetings  in  two  other  neigh- 
borhoods in  Middlesex,  and  on  Saturday  returned  to  Canandaigua. 
I  commenced  my  late  journey  with  a  wagon  ;  but  in  consequence 
of  a  fall  of  snow  on  the  first  Sabbath,  I  was  under  the  necessity  of 
borrowing  an  old  sleigh,  which  I  used  ten  days,  and  in  the  time 
travelled  a  circuitous  tour  of  one  hundred  miles.  The  ground  be- 
ing bare  half  of  this  distance,  I  walked  the  greater  part  of  the  way, 
and  was  obliged  to  pay  nearly  seven  dollars  for  the  use  of  the 
sleigh.  This  is  a  specimen  of  the  frequent  expenses  of  an  itiner- 
ant preacher,  who  will  not  let  small  difficulties  cause  him  to  disaj)- 
point  an  assembly. 

Sabbath,  April  5,  I  preached  in  Canandaigua,  and  baptized  a 
young  convert,  who  was  added  to  the  chuivh.  The  church  was 
happily  united ;  and  though  the  revival  had  ceased  to  sjiread,  there 
were  several  serious  inquirers,  and  their  sighs  frequently  gave  ad- 
ditional solemnity  to  our  meetings.  The  ensuing  week,  I  held 
meetings  in  several  towns  between  Canandaigua  and  Scriba,  and 


t 


■     \ 

I 

( 


Hf: 


212 


MEMOIRS    Oli' 


'k^'i 


on  Sabbath,  April  1 2,  preached  to  a  crowd  of  people  assembled  at 
the  latter  place.  Nearly  a  year  had  passed  since  my  last  visit  to 
this  town.  Though  the  church  had  enjoyed  little  preaching  in  the 
time,  its  members  remained  steadfast — and  of  the  twenty-three  that 
I  baptized,  I  believe  none  luid  turned  back  after  satan.  This  gave 
me  much  joy.     I  spent  eight  days  in   Scriba  and  the  towns  in  its 


vicinity.     Our 


meetmgs 


were  favored   seasons.     In  one,   eleven 


anxious  sinners  present(>d  themselves  for  prayer.  At  another,  I 
bai)tized  three  who  were  added  to  the  church. 

On  Monday  I  attended  a  meeting  three  miles  south  of  Oswego 
village.  As  it  commenced,  a  violent  shower  arose,  and  I  spoke 
from  Matt.  24:27,  '■'■  For  as  the  lightning  cometh  out  of  the  east,  and 
shineth  eveti  unto  the  tvest,so  shall  also  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  man 
be"  The  Spirit  moved  on  the  i)eoi)le,  and  the  frequent  flashes  of 
lightning  illustrated  the  solemn  sulyect.  In  the  three  days  following. 
I  preached  in  Victory  and  Cato, — proceeded  to  Wcedsport,  and  wasS 
affectionately  received  by  brother  Joseph  Finck.  lie  had  been  ed- 
ucated for  a  lawyer,  and  now,  with  his  wife  and  a  daughter,  was  a 
member  of  the  church  in  Cato.  Tiiough  they  lived  at  a  distance 
from  their  brethren,  they  .appeared  to  be  true  Christians, — were 
strict  in  their  attendance  on  family  prayer,  morning  and  evening. 
Every  child,  servant,  and  visitant,  was  required  to  attend  the  exer- 
cises. A  part  of  the  family,  with  myself,  was  about  to  go  to  an 
evening  meeting ;  but  lest  some  should  retire  before  our  return,  or 
be  too  weary  to  be  profited,  they  were  called  together  for  family 
devotion.  O,  that  every  Christian  would  keep  such  ordi^r,  and 
honor  the  family  altar.  If  all  were  thus  faithful,  what  good  would 
result  to  the  rising  generation  !  How  many  might  be  converted, 
that  for  want  thereof,  will  probably  die  in  their  sins,  and  sink  to  ev- 
erlasting ruin ! 

Sabbath,  I  preached  in  Spafford,  and  many  were  much  affected. 
A  young  man  said,  that  during  a  discourse  in  my  last  visit,  convic- 
tion touched  his  heart,  and  he  resolved  to  seek  the  Lord  till  he 
should  find  salvation.  He  related  his  experience  for  baptism,  and 
was  received  by  the  church.  In  the  afternoon,  I  preached  with 
the  second  church  in  Spafford,  and  baptized  the  young  man.  On 
Monday  I  went  to  Conquest,  and  attended  a  meeting  of  business  to 
settle  a  difficulty  in  the  church  of  Cato  and  Conquest,  occasioned  by 
an  impostor,  whom  they  had  received  without  letters  of  commen- 
dation, judging  from  his  own  testimony,  and  his  appearance,  that 
he  was  a  good  man.  The  result  of  this  meeting  was,  that  the 
church  generally  became  convinced  he  was  a  deceiver,  and  agreed 
to  hold  no  fellowship  with  him.  But,  four  members  were  dissatis- 
fied with  this  decision,  and  withdrew  from  the  church — took  part 
with  the  impostor  for  a  few  months,  when  he  got  drunk,  and  con- 


ii 


DAVID   MARKS. 


213 


ducted  80  wickedly  that  he  was  put  into  the  state's  prison.  Then, 
I  understood,  they  gave  him  up,  and  concluded  that  he  was  a  bad 
man.  This  is  one  instance,  among  several  within  my  knowledge, 
in  which  churches  have  suffered,  and  the  cause  has  been  brought 
into  contempt,  by  the  reception  of  a  stranger  without  suitable  let- 
ters of  commendation.  Some  good  people  have  thought  them  to 
be  unnecessary,  and  have  supposed  that  they  possessed  a  spirit  of 
discernment,  which  enabled  them  to  know  a  man's  heart  by  his 
own  testimony  and  appearance.  By  referring,  however,  to  Acts 
18:27,  and  2  Cor.  3:1,  it  is  evident,  that  lett(;rs  of  commendation 
were  in  use  among  the  Apostles  and  primitive  Christians : — and  it 
hardly  seems  possible,  that  any  Christian,  after  reflection,  can  sup- 
pose himself  to  be  so  much  more  spiritual  in  discerament  than  the 
primitive  Christians,  that  he  may  safely  dispense  with  the  use  of 
'  letters  of  commendation.* 

After  preaching  once  in  Conquest,  I  went  to  Tyre,  formerly  a 
part  of  Junius,  and  found  my  father  very  sick.  He  could  speak 
with  difficulty,  and  was  in  constant  expectation  of  death.  I  stopped 
a  day,  and  then  appointments  called  me  to  leave.  I  had  some 
queries  respecting  duty  ;  but  recollecting  our  Lord's  reply  to  one, 
who  said,  "  Suffer  me  first  to  go  and  bury  my  father,"  I  concluded 
it  was  duty  to  fulfill  my  engagements.  With  a  sorrowful  heart,  I 
took  leave  of  my  father,  and  on  Friday,  May  1,  arrived  at  Canan- 
daigua.  On  the  Sabbath,  the  Lord  accompanied  his  word  with 
power  to  the  hearts  of  many,  and  we  enjoyed  a  pleasant  season  in 
attending  to  baptism. 


'ill 

it" 


2U 


MfiMOmS    OF 


I 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

3fy  Third  and  Fourth  Journics  to  the  District  of  London,  Upper 
Canada,  and  other  partieidars  till  November,  1829. 

Wednesday,  May  13,  1829,  I  started  to  go  to  Upper  Canada, 
appoinlnjents  having  been  previously  given;  and  during  the  week, 
I  attended  two  meetings  in  Greece,  one  in  Clarkson,  and  one  in 
Parma.  In  Greece,  a  few  came  for^vard  for  prayer.  Sabbath, 
May  17,  I  preached  in  Parma  on  the  atonement.  Afterwards  this 
sermon  was  publicly  opposed  by  some  advocates  of  a  particular 
atonement,  A  considerable  number  of  converts  were  present,  and 
we  enjoyed  a  good  season  in  communion.  A  revival  had  lately  re- 
joiced many  in  this  vicinity,  and  Elder  Hannibal  had  baptized 
twenty.  In  the  evening,  I  preached  to  a  crowded  assembly  in 
Clarkson,  and  enjoyed  freedom.  The  Lord  had  poured  out  his 
Spirit  in  this  place  also,  and  seven  had  lately  been  added  to  the 
church.  On  Tuesday,  I  spoke  two  hours  with  freedom,  to  a  crowd- 
ed assembly  on  the  town  line  of  Batavia  and  Elba.  Many  were 
under  serious  impressions,  and  about  twenty  came  forward  for 
prayer.  Six  years  had  ptissed  since  I  labored  in  this  place;  and 
now  my  heart  again  rejoiced,  to  find  that  another  revival  had  com- 
menced, and  four  persons  had  already  been  converted.  Among 
these  was  Esq.  Foster,  son  of  Judge  Foster,  lately  deceased.  He 
appeared  to  be  like  a  little  child.  Thus,  pure  religion  makes  all 
its  subjects  innocent  as  children,  and  affectionate  like  brethren. 
Infidels  have  nothing  in  their  system  that  can  do  this. 

I  next  preached  twice  In  Royalton,  and  spoke  to  an  attentive  as- 
sembly in  the  court  house  at  Lockport,  On  Friday,  being  very 
desirous  to  attend  the  IJcthany  quarterly  meeting  at  Attica,  I  con- 
cluded to  return  fifty  miles,  though  it  would  oblige  me  to  travel 
with  much  speed  to  reach  my  next  appointment,  in  Cimada.  The 
reports  from  the  churches  were  very  refreshing.  On  the  Sabbath, 
about  eight  huvilred  people  were  present  at  an  early  hour.  An  in- 
teresting discourse  was  preached  by  Elder  Brown.  I  then  felt  it 
duty  to  address  the  people.  The  Lord  filled  me  with  his  Spirit,  all 
glory  be  to  his  name !  for  without  his  grace,  all  preaching  is  but  a*; 
"  sounding  brass  or  a  tinkling  cymbal."  The  meeting  closed  with 
great  solemnity,  and  several  were  apparently  much  profited  by  the 
services. 

In  the  evening,  I  rode  eighteen  miles  to  brother  Barker's  in  Ba- 
tavia ;  and  finding  the  family  mostly  absent  at  a  meeting,  I  retired 
to  rest  at  11  o'clock.  At  two  I  arose,  and  found  that  the  family 
returned  from   meeting  only  an  hour  before ;   and   that  since  I 


DAVID   MARKS. 


213 


preached  in  the  place  five  days  previous,  it  was  believed  six  or  sev- 
en had  been  converted.  Now,  w(!  spoke  of  the  loving  kindness  of 
the  Lord  and  were  very  hai)py.  Between  three  and  four  o'clo<;k, 
I  went  on  ray  way  to  Canada ,  and,  though  the  weather  was  ex- 
tremely warm,  I  reached  my  api>ointment  in  Southwold  on  Thuins- 
day  at  six  o'clock,  having  travelled  two  hundred  and  fourteen 
miles  in  four  days.  Friday,  1  held  a  meeting  with  brother  Straight 
in  another  part  of  Southwold.  In  this  vicinity,  the  state  of  religion 
was  quite  low ;  yet  it  pleased  the  "good  Shepherd"  to  manifest 
himself  to  his  flock  at  this  time,  and  one  came  forward  for  prayer. 
We  spent  the  Sabbath  in  Dunwich,  and  each  gave  a  discourse, 
with  considerable  freedom,  to  a  large  assembly.  Here  also  there 
was  a  lack  of  engagedness,  and  many  seemed  to  have  been  chilled, 
as  by  the  north  wmd.  Yet  I  believe  the  brethren  generally  were 
determined  to  strive  for  heaven. 

On  Wednesday,  three  brethren  accompanied  me  twelve  miles  on 
hoi'seback  in  a  rough  road,  to  a  Scotch  settlement.  Here  we  met 
a  considerable  assembly,  composed  mostly  of  emigrants  from  Scot- 
land. They  spoke  the  Gaelic  language,  and  usually  hcai'd  preach- 
ing in  that  tongue  every  Sabbath.  The  Lord  gave  me  liberty, 
and,  though  they  understood  P^nglish  very  poorly,  they  ap|)eared 
serious,  and  requested  us  to  hold  another  meeting.  Thursday,  I 
spoke  in  Southwold  from  Rev.  2:1.  We  had  a  solemn,  confessing 
time.  Many  were  revived,  spoke  of  their  unfaithfulness,  and  of 
their  duty,  in  a  very  feeling  manner.  At  times  there  was  such 
weeping  in  the  assembly,  that  it  seemed  enough  to  touch  the  hard- 
est heart.     One  was  awakened,  and  requested  prayers. 

On  Saturday,  I  attended  the  monthly  meeting  of  the  church  in 
Dunwich.  Some  of  the  brethren,  I  understood,  were  at  home,  en- 
gaged in  worldly  cares  ;  others  were  at  the  raising  of  a  building, 
&c.,  so  that  our  number  was  small ;  still  we  enjoyed  a  comfortable 
waiting  on  the  Lord.  I  endeavored  to  urge  ipon  those  present, 
the  impropriety  of  brethren's  absenting  them  Ives  from  monthly 
meeting  on  such  occasions ;  and  remarked,  '  worldlings,  or  oth- 
ers, wished  to  invite  the  assistance  of  their  Christian  neighbors, 
they  might  choose  another  day,  rather  than  the  one  set  apart  by 
the  church  for  a  sacred  purpose.  But,  if  worldlings  will  not  re- 
gard the  appointment  of  the  church,  then  Christians  should  well 
know,  in  such  cases,  which  call  is  binding,  and  obey  the  exhorta- 
tion of  Paul,  Heb.  10:25,  "  Not  forsaking  the  assembling  of  our- 
selves together."  Were  it  not  that  Christians  meet  for  worship, 
church  vivsibility,  if  not  Christianity  itself,  would  soon  become  ex- 
tinct in  the  earth ;  and  this  probably  would  be  the  consequence, 
should  every  Christian  neglect  the  meetings  of  the  church.  Yet 
strange  it  is,  that  there  are  some  professed  Chriatians,  who  think 


!Mai:";.?*t1 


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themselves  excusable  in  neglecting  the  appointraenta  of  the  church. 
I  remarked,  that  I  thought  such  membei*s  as  neglected  meetings 
that  are  essential  to  church  visibility,  and  attended  to  worldly  con- 
cerns on  the  day  of  their  appointment,  as  much  violate  their  obli- 
gation as  Christians,  and  as  church  members,  as  they  would  by 
profaning  the  Sabbath.  A  cburch  consists  of  individuals,  and,  to 
be  as  "a citi/  set  on  a  hill"  its  members  must  attend  worship,  and 
let  their  light  shine.  It  is,  however,  but  just  to  remark,  that  this 
case  was  an  exception  to  the  general  faithfulness  of  the  brethren 
in  Canada ;  for  I  have  found  no  people  that  take  more  pains  to  at- 
tend their  meetings. 

Sabbath,  June  7, 1  preached  on  the  town  line  of  Dunwich  and 
Southwold,  but  my  mind  was  in  trials.  Others,  however,  appeared 
to  be  happy.  In  the  after  part  of  the  day,  the  Lord  poured  heav- 
enly consolation  into  my  soul,  and  opened  my  mouth  to  praise  him. 
On  Tuesday,  I  was  greatly  depressed  with  a  sense  of  my  unwor- 
thiness  and  little  spirituality.  O,  why  this  dull  and  stupid  state  ? 
Why  so  little  power  in  my  preaching  ?  and  why  are  my  labors  at- 
tended with  so  little  success  ?  O  Lord,  revive  thy  work  in  my 
soul.  At  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  I  spoke  from  1  Corinthians 
1:25,  "  Because  the  foolishness  of  God  is  tviser  than  men,"  &c.  It 
pleased  the  Lord  to  open  to  my  mind  the  excellencies  of  the  gospel, 
and  refresh  me  with  the  streams  that  "  make  glad  the  city  of 
Ck)d." 

On  Wednesday,  brother  Straight  and  myself  started  for  Oxford, 
to  attend  the  annual  conference  of  the  Free  Communion  Baptists 
in  this  province,  and  held  a  meeting  in  the  east  part  of  Westmins- 
ter. We  understood  that  in  this  neighborhood,  though  thickly  set- 
tled, there  was  scarcely  a  professor  of  Christianity.  While  speak- 
ing to  the  few  that  attended,  I  was  so  affected  with  a  sense  of  their 
situation,  that  I  gave  vent  to  my  feelings  by  many  tears. 

Friday,  June  12,  1829,  the  conference  opened  at  10  o'clock,  A. 
M.,  at  the  house  of  Dea.  Burtch.  Being  requested  to  preach,  I 
spoke  from  1  Pet.  2:5.  The  Lord  favored  me  with  one  of  my 
best  seasons,  and  comforted  the  hearts  of  many.  Our  yearly  meet- 
ing had  appointed  brother  Straight  and  myself  to  attend  this  con- 
ference to  open  a  correspondence,  and,  if  convenient,  to  effect  a  un- 
ion with  this  people.  They  received  us  affectionately,  and  advised 
their  churches  to  appoint  messengers  to  meet  in  conference  with 
us  in  two  weeks.  On  Saturday  morning  a  sermon  was  preached, 
and  the  remainder  of  the  day  was  occupied  by  the  brethren.  On 
Sabbath  forenoon,  I  spoke  of  the  fulness  there  is  in  Christ  for  lost 
and  perishing  sinners,  from  Matt.  18:11,  "  I' or  the  Son  of  man  is 
come  to  save  that  which  was  lost."  In  the  afternoon,  brother 
Straight  preached  from  1  Thess.  4:16,  17,  18,  "For  the  Lord  him- 


f  II 


DAVID   MARKS. 


2lV 


self  shall  descend  from  heaven  with  a  shout"  &c.  IMany  were 
comforted.  The  awakening  power  of  God  reached  tlie  liearts  of 
sinners,  and  several  left  the  assembly  under  serious  impressions. 
We  then  united  in  communion,  and  had  a  very  solemn  season. 

On  Monday  I  rode  forty  miles  to  London,  and  was  kindly  re- 
ceived by  brother  Huckins  and  family.  Next  morning  a  messen- 
ger came  in  haste,  and  told  us  that  sister  Sophronia,  wife  of  Dea. 
Pierce,  was  thought  to  be  dying.  We  hastened,  and  on  coming 
near  the  house,  heard  death-like  groans.  She  was  in  great  dis- 
tress :  soon,  however,  her  struggles  abated ;  she  gave  me  her  hand 
and  called  me  by  name,  saymg,  "  The  Lord  is  good  to  me."  I 
had  often  seen  her  when  here  a  year  before,  and  many  times  had 
heard  her  sing  with  joy  in  the  meetings  at  London.  But  now  the 
features  of  death  marked  her  countenance.  She  said  she  thought 
her  time  was  short,  and  asked  me  to  pray ;  after  which  I  repeated 
the  following  lines  of  Dr.  Watts  : 


"  Death  may  dissolve  my  body  now, 
And  hear  my  spirit  home,"  &c. 

She  said,  "  Amen,  and  desired  the  brethi'en  that  were  present  to 
sing.     They  began  to  sing, 

"I  know  that  my  Redeemer  lives — 
^  What  comfort  this  sweet  sentence  gives  ! 

lie  lives,  he  lives,  who  once  was  dead, 
He  lives  my  everlasting  Head." 

Soon  she  joined  her  hollow  voice,  and  though  her  breath  was  short, 
and  her  frame  trembled  as  though  she  was  sinking  in  death,  yet 
she  kept  the  tune,  and  sung  the  hymn  through  with  ecstacies  of 
joy.  Never  did  such  glory  adorn  an  earthly  palace,  as  now  seem- 
ed to  shine  on  the  bed  of  death.  All  were  in  tears  except  the  dy- 
ing saint.  O,  that  every  infidel  could  have  witnessed  this  scene, 
I  retired  for  a  moment,  lest  I  should  be  overcome  by  its  touching 
sublimity.  Soon  afterwards,  she  sung  the  following  lines  with 
great  animation : 

'  O  Christians,  are  you  ready  now 

To  cross  the  narrow  flood  ! 
On  Canaan's  happy  shore,  behold 

And  see  a  smiling  God. 

To  see  a  pilgrim  as  he  dies, 

With  glory  in  his  view;  ^ 

To  heaven  he  lifts  his  longing  eyes, 

And  bids  the  world  adieu  ! 

While  friends  stand  weeping  all  around, 

And  loth  to  let  him  go. 
He  shouts  with  his  expiring  breath, 

And  leaves  them  all  below.' 

When  she  had  finished,  she  clapped  her  hands  and  shouted  for  joy. 
Language  cannot  describe  the  touching  glory  of  this  scene ;  but 
19 


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218 


MEM^OmS    OF 


the  holy  serenity  and  heavenly  rapture  that  were  then  witnessed 
amid  the  strniifgles  of  ^^dying  nature,  were  too  dee]>ly  engraven  on 
the  minds  of  the  spectator  to  lie  easily  forgotten.  lier  hu.sl)and  sat 
by  her  and  Avept  bitterly,  .ihe  entreatiMl  him  to  forb(!ar,  and  ex- 
horted him  to  be  reconciled,  saying,  "  I  shall  soon  get  through  ; 
life  is  short,  and  you  will  follow  me  in  a  little  time." 

Immediately  after  this,  one  of  her  brothers  arrived,  took  her 
hand,  and  asked  if  she  knew  him.  She  said,  "  Yes,  and  I  think  I 
shall  leave  you  soon."  Then  she  began  to  grow  cold,  her  breath 
grew  short,  her  pulse  '  faint  and  few' — she  gasped — .and  all  was 
still.  The  friends  began  putting  her  in  a  position  for  lay- 
ing out ;  but,  to  the  astonishment  of  all,  she  opened  her  eyes, 
groaned,  and  said,  "  0  Lord,  hoic  hug?"  In  about  ten  minutes, 
she  again  appeared  to  be  breathing  her  last — again  revived,  and 
wished  to  hear  singing.  Thus  she  continued  through  the  day, 
much  distressed  for  want  of  breath,  occasionally  growing  cold,  and 
apparently  sinking  in  death,  and  then  again  reviving. 

At  her  earnest  request,  a  meeting  had  been  appointed  at  the 
house  at  5  o'clock,  P.  M. ;  but,  as  she  fell  into  a  sleep,  the  assem- 
bly repaired  to  an  adjacent  grove.  The  interview  was  impressive. 
In  the  evening  she  sung  with  great  animation.  Many  spectators 
were  deeply  affected,  and  holy  manna  seemed  to  fall  upon  us  like 
the  dew  from  heaven.  A  friend  said  to  her,  "  Singing  wearies 
you ;  you  would  do  better  to  forbear,  till  you  receive  new  lungs 
and  a  new  voice."  She  replied,  "  I  cannot  w^ar  out  in  a  better 
way."  She  now  grew  weak — her  pulse  ceased — ^lier  limbs  became 
motionless  and  entirely  cold,  and  her  breath  short  and  faint.  The 
body  also  became  cold,  and  some  parts  turned  purple  and  spotted. 
She  continued  in  this  state  about  six  hours,  and  then,  to  the  aston- 
ishment of  all,  the  body  regained  its  heat,  the  pulse  beat,  and  signs 
of  life  increased.  I  returned  with  brother  Huckins,  and  early  next 
morning,  a  messenger  again  called  us  to  go  and  see  her  die.  We 
found  her  in  great  agony  of  body,  but  composed  and  happy  in 
mind.  She  desired  prayer ;  after  w  hich,  the  brethren  began  to 
sing.  She  attempted  to  join,  moved  her  lips,  but  could  only  occa- 
sionally utter  a  sound.  She  continued  through  the  day  in  a  very 
happy  state  of  mind,  and  in  the  afternoon  sung  with  great  anima- 
tion, 

« O,  sisters,  will  you  meet  me,'  6zc. 

In  the  evening  I  read  a  chapter,  and  several  that  were  present, 
sung  her  favorite  hymn, 

•  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  lives,'  &c. 

She  said,  "  I  can't  keep  from  singing,"  and  sung  with  them  through 
the  whole  hymn.     At  the  close,  she  clapped  her  hands,  and  ex- 


DAVID    MARKS. 


219 


cliiimcd,  "  Glory  to  God,  glory,  glory,"  &c.  Ilcr  joy  appeared  'u\- 
cxprcKsiblo,  and  a  cloud  of  glory  .sicincd  to  overshadow  us.  Slie 
desir(;d  us  to  pray,  and,  though  in  great  distress,  she  said,  "1  am 
well." 

Tims  she  continued  through  the  week,  and  on  Sabbatli,  June  23, 
1  addressed  a  large  assembly,  seated  under  a  temporary  bower  in 
sight  of  the  dying  saint.  After  sermon,  a  young  lady,  in  an  aflfeet- 
ing  manner,  confessed  her  sins  and  resolution  to  "  titni  and  live." 
Next,  a  man  of  gray  hairs  arose,  and  apparently  with  nuieh  peni- 
tence, ex{)ressed  his  fears,  that,  by  his  sins,  he  was  lost  for  ever. 
Then,  an  interesting  youth,  lately  from  Lower  Canada,  confessed 
with  much  emotion,  that  he  was  a  lost  sinner,  and  earnestly  re- 
quested the  prayers  of  Christians.  Though  nearly  the  wliole 
church  was  present,  I  think  every  member  spoke  of  the  goodness 
of  God,  and  we  enjoyed  a  very  refreshing  season.  On  Wednes- 
day, June  24,  sister  Pierce  still  remained  in  the  same  happy  frame, 
and  waiting  every  hour  in  constant  expectation  of  her  change. 
But,  to  the  surprise  of  all,  she  continued  three  weeks  longer — and 
then  fell  asleep. 

On  this  day  I  started  for  New  York  in  company  with  brother 
Straight  and  his  wife,  and  on  Thursday  evening  preached  in  Ox- 
ford. On  Friday,  Saturday,  and  Sabbath,  we  attended  the  confer- 
ence with  the  messengers  of  the  Free  Communion  Baptist  church- 
es. There  were  six  messengers  from  the  Free-will  Baptist  con- 
nexion, viz.,  four  from  the  churches  in  Canada,  brother  S.  and  my- 
self;  and  fourteen  from  the  Free  Communion  Baptist  connexion. 
After  a  full  investigation  of  our  sentiments  and  practice,  several 
resolves*  were  passed  Avith  unanimity.  These  were  presented  to  the 
Holland  Purchase  yearly  meeting  at  the  term  in  August  following, 
and  were  approved  unanimously. 

Meetings  of  worship  on  Saturday  and  Sabbath  were  interest- 
ing, and  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  bless  the  word  to  the  awakening  of 
some.  Sabbath  evening,  I  preached  at  thv  house  of  Dea.  Burtch, 
and  many  were  deeply  impressed.  After  meeting,  one,  in  great 
distress,  prayed  for  mercy  a  considerable  time.     Soon  afterwards 

*  Those  resolves  were  as  follows  :  "  First,  tlint  we  find  only  one  ilifTerencc  in  theory 
between  the  two  denominHtions,  ntirnely,  whereas  the  Free-will  IJnptists  infiiiitiiin  tl'Ht 
a  snint,  in  this  state  of  probation,  may  lose  that  grace  and  that  charaeter  which  consti- 
tute him  such,  and  thus  finally  perish  ;  ihe  Free  Communion  Baptists  generally  main- 
tain tl\c  reverse.  Secondly,  we  find  but  one  difl'erence  in  prac^tice,  namely,  that  the  Free 
Comniunion  Baptists  have  a  few  "  written  articles  of  faith,"  abstract  from  the  Scrip- 
tures, while  the  Free-will  Baptists  acknowledge  no  standard  but  the  Bible.  Thirdly, 
agreed,  that  we  do  not  think  these  differences  to  be  of  sufllcient  importance  to  warrant 
propriety  in  our  maintaining  separate  visibility.  Fourthly,  agreed,  that  we  ludd  a 
friendly  correspondence  with  each  other — "follow  after  the  things  which  make  for 
peace" — baptize — break  bread,  and  ordain  with  each  otheras  occasion  may  require  ;  also 
inat  we  assist  each  other  in  church  labors,  &c.,  with  the  same  fteedom,  as  though  we 
were  but  one  denomination." 


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220 


MEMOUCS    OF 


lie  found  peace  in  believing.  AVe  attcndcMl  a  meeting  in  Blenlieini 
the  (lay  following,  and  on  Wednesday  met  jioout  six  hnndred  peo- 
ple in  a  beautiful  pine  grove  at  St.  Catharines.  A  stand  for  the 
speaker,  and  seats  for  the  people,  had  been  jU'epared.  I  preached 
with  some  freedom,  and  brother  Straight  followed  me. 

On  Wednesday,  July  2,  we  left  the  province,  and  in  two  days 
rode  eighty  miles  to  Greece,  where,  according  to  a  jjrevious  en- 
gagement, we  {ittended  a  two-days'  meeting  on  Saturday  and  Sab- 
bath, July  4  and  5.  The  assembly  was  large,  the  power  of  the 
Lord  was  present,  and  one  was  hopefully  converted.  Monday  I 
preached  near  lake  Ontario,  and  baptized  four.  During  the  week 
following,  I  held  ten  meetings  in  Ogden,  Byron,  Elba,  Batavia,  At- 
tica, Middlebury,  and  Warsaw.  In  the  latter  my  soul  was  filled 
with  great  mourning  and  pity  for  sinners.  July  16,  I  attended 
meetings  in  Leicester  and  Moscow.  The  meeting  in  the  latter 
place  was  a  precious  time.  Tlie  Lord  had  lately  visited  this  vicin- 
ity in  mercy,  and  forty  persons  had  professed  to  have  passed  from 
death  unto  life.  On  Friday  I  preached  in  Geneseo,  and  spent  the 
greater  part  of  the  next  day  mourning  on  account  of  my  unworthi- 
ness,  and  praying  the  Lord  to  revive  his  v  ork  in  my  soul. 

Sabbath,  July  19,  I  spoke  to  a  solemn  congregation  in  Conesus. 
It  was  a  time  of  much  seriousness  among  tho  people,  and  one  had 
lately  experienced  a  change  of  heart.  A  eudden  death  that  had 
happened  a  few^  days  before,  had  been  instrumental  of  exciting 
much  seriousness  in  this  vicinity.  The  circumstances,  as  related 
to  me,  were  as  follows.  A  young  woman,  who  was  teaching 
school  in  the  neighborhood,  returned  from  worship  on  r„  Babbath 
afternoon.  A  shower  soon  attf^v  arose.  She  was  seated  near  the 
door,  beside  a  young  man,  to  ^vnom  she  was  engaged  in  marriage. 
As  the  thunder  increased,  the  young  man  arose,  and  remarked  that 
he  thought  it  unsafe  to  sit  in  the  door.  The  young  woman  replied 
with  a  smile,  "  I  v'ill  change  places  with  you,  for  I  am  the  last  one 
to  be  afraid  of  lightning."  She  had  scarcely  taken  her  seat,  when 
an  arrow  of  lightning  passed  through  the  roof  of  the  house,  through 
the  chamber  floor,  and  struck  them.  They  both  fell,  and  likewise 
every  person  that  was  standing  in  the  house,  except  a  lad  about 
twelve  years  old.  He  passed  over  their  bodies,  supposing  the 
whole  family  to  be  dead,  and  carried  the  tidings  to  a  neighboring 
house.  Assistance  was  immediately  afforded,  and  all  soon  recov- 
ered, except  the  young  woman  that  feared  not  the  lightning.  On 
her  the  message  of  wrath  was  executed,  and  she  was  now  in  eter- 
nity. The  lightning  melted  a  knife  in  the  pocket  of  the  young 
man,  rent  his  pantaloons,  and  tore  his  boots  from  his  feet ;  yet  he 
received  no  material  injury.  Thus  was  one  "  taken  and  the  oth- 
er left." 


DAVID    BIAUKS. 


221 


Elder  Josiah  Fowler  who  resided  in  this  jdaee,  (old  in(>  that  he 
had  often  conversed  with  this  youn;?  woman,  and  exhorted  her  to 
repentance.  She  would  freely  confess  her  need  of  an  interest  in 
Christ ;  yet  she  made  vain  excuses,  said  she  was  youn;; — had  time 
enough  yet,  and  she  hoped  that  she  shouhl  rej)ent  before  death. 
r>ut  how  was  she  mistaken  !  And,  alas !  thousands  of  others  are 
walking  in  the  same  way,  who  will  neither  see  nor  feel  their  dan- 
g«'r,  till  they  "  stumble  on  the  dark  mountains."  O  that  men  would 
take  warning. 

Elder  Fowler  had  but  lately  taken  a  residence  in  this  j)lace,  and, 
though  in  consequence  of  renouncing  his  allegiance  to  Free  Ma- 
sonry, as  before  stated,  a  storm  of  persecution  had  fallen  upon  him; 
yet  the  Lord  stood  at  his  right  hand,  and  renewed  the  blessings 
that  formerly  crowned  his  labors.  In  Sparta,  an  adjacent  town, 
his  preaching  had  been  instrumental  of  awakening  many  who  had 
nlready  been  converted.  Since  the  commencement  of  the  revival 
in  that  place,  he  had  baptized  a  number,  and  gathered  a  church  of 
sixteen  members.  Several  of  the  converts  attended  my  meeting 
at  Conesus,  and  gave  animating  exhortations.  One  of  them,  a  lad 
apparently  about  thirteen  years  of  age,  affectionately  entreated  his 
i'eilow  youth  to  come  to  the  Savior,  saying,  "  The  sun  is  not  more 
full  of  light,  nor  the  ocean  more  full  of  water,  than  Christ  is  of 
grace  for  perishing  sinners." 

For  the  four  weeks  ensuing,  I  held  meetings  in  Penfield,  Onta- 
rio, Reading,  and  Canandaigua,  and  also  attended  the  IJenton  quar- 
terly meeting  at  Catlin.  Wednesday,  Aug.  19,  I  left  Canandai- 
gua, to  attend  the  yearly  meeting,  and  make  another  visit  to  Up- 
l)er  Canada.  During  the  journey  of  this  week,  I  preached  in 
Greece,  Clarkson,  and  Byron  ;  and  at  the  latter  place  baptized  a 
young  couple  that  had  been  lately  married,  and  lately  espoused  to 
Christ.  On  the  Sabbath  I  spoke  to  a  crowded  assembly  on  the 
line  of  Batavia  and  Elba,  on  the  subject  of  our  Lord's  '  great  com- 
mission.' I  next  held  meetings  in  the  south  part  of  Batavia,  in 
Bethany,  and  Orangeville.  The  glory  of  the  Lord  appeared  in  the 
latter  assembly,  to  the  joy  of  saints  and  conviction  of  sinners.  A 
small  church  had  lately  been  gathered  in  this  place,  through  the  in- 
strumentality of  Elder  J.  Miner,  with  whom  I  had  enjoyed  many 
pleasant  hours  in  Green  Creek,  Ohio.  On  Wednesday  I  spoke  to 
a  very  solemn  assembly  in  Sheldon.  During  the  sermon.  Elders 
Fowler,  Bignall,  Straight,  and  some  other  brethren,  came  into  the 
meeting,  and  we  had  a  pleasant  interview  ;  for  as  "  iron  sharpen- 
eth  iron,  so  a  man  sharpeneth  the  countenance  of  his  friend." 
These  brethren  were  on  their  way  to  yearly  meeting,  and  the  next 
day  we  proceeded  in  company. 
19* 


I 


222 


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Oi»  FrMuy,  Aii;];ust  28,  1821),  the  yciirly  meeting  commenced  in 
Kden,  Jinil  ('()iUinu(!il  four  (lay.s.  The  exerei.Hes  in  the  ine»'tin;^H  ol 
worship  were  very  inleii  stin;^.  Many  were  refreshed,  and  several 
l)ack>nd(M's  cauK!  forward  for  prayer.  KKler  James  Harris,  from 
Upper  Cana<la,  Khh-rs  Ch(;ney  and  Walker  from  Ohio,  and  Klder 
Nowbold,  from  Pennsylvania,  attende«l.  The  Wayne  (jnarterly 
meelinj^  in  Ohio  mad<!  a[»pli('ation  to  unite  with  the  yearly  meet- 
in*;.  A  council  was  appointed  to  examine  into  their  standin<;,  and 
if  they  thou;;ht  a<lvisal>lo,  to  receivo  them  into  th(^  connexion. 
This  was  done.  Tlu?  Wayne  (juarterly  meeting  containe<l  eight 
churches,  five  eltlers,  one  unordained  j)reacher,  and  one  Imndred 
and  forty-eight  members.* 

*  Fn^f'-wiU  niiiillHtrt  cnmtiUMiced  their  oxixtnice,  hm  fi  il«  iKiminiifion.  Iti  N.  Fiij^liinil,  at 
K  period  when  iiiniiy  oiitered  thi;  rniiilHtry  to  K»iii  n  livelihood,  nnd  when  HoiiiPtiriieH  iht 
lii<«t  cow  of  II  poor  iiinri  w>»h  Hold  to  ptty  tliti  iiiiiilMtcr'H  lux.  I'IiIh  Htiitc  ol'  tliiii|{H  llit'. 
viewed  with  utter  iibhorreiiee  ;  mid  iillhoiixli  in  their  eiirly  rine  they  iidopted  (he  pliiii 
ortnipplyliiK  the,  wiiiilH  of  the  iiiiiilMiur  and  the  poor  ol'tliu  rhureh,  iVoin  ii  chureli  Htoek. 
rAlMitd  liy  II  tii\  oil  the  iiieiiilierH  proportioned  to  their  properly,  thin  Hyvieiii  wiin  iini 
Adopted  liy  the  ehiirehen  tliiit  were  HidiHe(|neiilly  oi'Uiinl'/.ed.  Another  nnd  t^tniiiiie  rule. 
to  ){ive  tu  niinlMierit  when  they  lelt  itii  linpreHi^lon  to  do  ko,  prevulled  in  hoiiic  portioiiit  ul 
th<'  tienoiniiiiition.  (.real  evils  of  course  iiecenHHril)  rollnwed.  At  thin  Ni'KHion  of  tlir 
H.  P.  yearly  ineetiiiir.  Mr.  Murku  wah  appointed  to  write  a  circular  to  the  i|iiHrterly  meet 
iii^.s  on  the  Hiihjiut  ol'tliv  Mupp(  rt  of  the  niiiiiHtry,  nnd  la)  helore  tin  in  it  re{(nhir  hnxIiiii 
for  thin  Hpreilli;  cdtjiict.  The  rollowins  brieC  eMru<t  Iroiu  this  circular  will  nliow  hi.'. 
vinwtt  on  IhiH  point. — Ed. 

J)nir  Itrethnn: — If,  in  the  apontitllc  ago,  the  niin'trin/|t  of  the  Ffehrew  widows  railed 
the  attention  of  the  primitive  chnrt  h  at  .leriisaieni,  and  enciiued  the  apoHtlen  nf  tin 
Lord  .lesiis  to  devise  meHim  for  their  relief,  [Acls  (i,|  should  not  the  neglect  nf  the  dail> 
mini.'itration  to  the  minhlr.ru  of  the  sanctiiiiry,  call  our  attention  .''  Was  ilie  neceMNity  ni 
those  widows  more  wortliv  the  notice  of  the  apostles,  than  the  necessity  of  onr  minis- 
t«rd  is  of  our  notice  P  Diil  it  excite  the  atti-ntion  of  the  apostles,  and  obtain  a  record  on 
the  |mi;<'s  of  ins|iiration,  that  the  widows'  lack  excited  tlie  miiriiiuriiigs  ol'the  (ireciaii?'. 
and  is  it  nothine  tons  that  the  lack  of  ministers  has  excited  theiniirmiirincs  of  Hpbctaloi'!< 
more  niiinerons  than  the  (irecians  .'  When  necessity  pressed  the  ancient  widows,  did 
the  apitstles  say  as  we  have,  "  Leave  it  to  every  one  to  jjive  when  and  as  he  |)leascs. 
without  any  to  oversee  except  as  God  shall  put  it  into  tlieir  hearts  ?"  No.  They  had 
already  efTecliially  provcil  the  iimiilllcieney  of  this  metliod,  and  called  the  wlnde  iiuilti 
tude  of  disciples  unto  them,  and  a|ipointed  . «if  if /i  to  attend  upon  this  Imsiiiess. 

Our  iiiiniHters  are  compelled  to  neglect  the  Macedonian  criet<  among  the  churches,  ti> 
turn  from  the  reiiuests  of  broken-hearted  peniiciit.s,  and  to  leave  revivals,  to  attend  tc 
their  temporal  afTairs,  and  when  these  are  half  iidjuste  I  they  return  to  the  field,  lint  O, 
the  change  !  The  especial  Hcnsoii  for  doing  good  is  pnt>t ;  converts  liave  Joined  other  de- 
nominations, nnd  some  for  want  of  instruction  and  care  have  sunk  under  trials,  perliap> 
to  rise  not  again  !  Our  churches  are  small,  and  several  of  them  are  losing  ground,  iiml 
utitil  they  can  have  more  preadiing,  (circumstances  are  likely  to  be  no  more  lavoialili . 
But  until  we  can  agree  upon  a  better  method  of  nupporting  ministers  than  we  have  >c! 
yiracticed,  our  ministers  must  dig  ujion  their  farms,  and  our  chiirchcs  be  destitute.  An 
these  things  nothing  to  us  ?  Shall  we  be  tenacious,  divided,  and  agreed  upon  nothing ol- 
fectunl  .'  Shall  the  coi;<'<i^(i.s  ;nan,  whose  sin  is  iifu'atry,  puss  undetected  among  us  .'— 
Some  will  Hay,  my  alms  I  will  give  in  secret  before  Cud,  but  I  cannot  submit  to  rulo 
for  giving  regularly.  Alma  ari  one  thing,  and  payiu!^  an  honest  debt  is  another.  Muiii 
those  who  are  called  to  preach,  spend  till  they  have  before  remittances  are  made  to 
them,  and  then  become  beggars,  and  be  treated  as  town  |tauj)ers  ?  What  advantage  has 
disorder,  irregularity,  or  confusion  .'  Have  they  enabled  us  to  support  our  ministi  rs  so 
that  they  could  dcvo'e  themselves  to  the  work  .^  God  is  a  Ood  of  order.  All  his  works 
arc  ill  order.  The  sun,  moon,  and  planets,  all  rise  and  set  with  regularity.  The  day, 
the  night,  the  seasons,  and  even  all  nature's  laws  move  in  regular  and  invariable  order. 
Men  only  are  in  confiision.  Dear  brethren,  what  have  we  gained  by  the  absence  of  or- 
der and  regularity  in  the  support  of  our  ministry  .>  *  •  +  *  Having  now  elTectually 
tried  and  found  the  insuflleiency  of  no  regular  method  for  sustaining  those  who  labor  in 
the  vineyard,  is  it  not  time  for  us  to  agree  upon  some  system  which,  by  the  blessing  i>i 
God,  will  obviate  the  difllculty. 

[A  plan  was  then  submitted  for  carrying  out  this  object.— Ed.] 


David  makks. 


22.'} 


On  Motidiiy  I  attotulcd  ii  f^olcnin  iincrm^  wlili  KI<1«  r  IlaniH,  in 
Kdcn.  Next  inoniiii^  \\v  coiitiimcd  our  joiinuy  to  l'|>|>('r  (lumda, 
jiiul  OH  tlx!  Tlmrsdiiy  I'ollowiu^  arrncd  at  Oxioid.  lien-,  a  rrvi- 
\al  had  1)«'<'m  jtro^^rcssin^  since  llic  annual  conUrt  iicc  at  this  phice 
ill  .Iiiiio  [iri'vions.  I  Ix-jrari  to  hoM  iiu't'tin;is,  and  whin  I  witncss- 
e<l  the  grace  of  (Jod  in  this  work,  my  heart  rejoiced,  and  I  ghully 
pointed  mourners  to  "the  Lamh  of  (lod,  that  taketh  away  the  sin 
of  the  worM."  Several  that  had  heeii  eoiiNorted,  (kited  their  awa- 
k«'iiin;^  at  the  meeting's  hehl  in  my  former  visit.  Tiiis  was  a  eom- 
fort  to  my  heart ;  but  the  f^kiry  bekjiigetli  to  (jlod.  I  eoiitinued 
several  days  in  Oxford,  and  in  /orra,  an  adjacent  town,  and  held 
meetinjis  in  diftcrent  iieifrliljoi'lioods.  The  attention  of  the  people 
apiM'ured  {^enemlly  called  to  the  things  which  belonged  to  their 
p(Micc,  and  w(;  cnjoy(!d  Home  interesting  seasons.  Sabbath,  Sept. 
i{0,  I  preached  twice,  and  l)aptized  three  in  Oxford.  1  believe  the 
Holy  Spirit  seriously  impressed  the  minds  of  several,  pailicularly 
at  the  time  of  baptism. 

Sabbath  evening,  Sept.  20,  182U,  I  entered  into  one  of  the  most 
polemn  and  important  engagements  of  life.  It  was  a  union  in  mar- 
riage with  Marilla  Turner,  of  Zorra,  l'pi'<'J'  Canada. 

[In  compliance  with  the  solicitations  oi"  several  judicious  frieiuls, 
the  following  extracts  are  given  from  private  letters  in  relation  to  the 
matter  here  alluded  to.  The  first  extract  is  taken  from  a  hotter  to 
Miss  Turner,  the  other  from  a  letter  to  her  j)arents. — Kd. 

"  In  no  engagements  of  life  are  then;  more  severe  disappoint- 
ments than  in  mutrimovy.  Caution  is  scarcely  security  against 
disappointment.  '  It  is  not  in  man  to  direct  his  steps.'  In  the 
opportunity  I  had  with  you,  I  never  thought  that  you  would  expect  or 
wish  my  marriage  to  you  would  sacrifice  my  religious  duties  of  la- 
boring in  the  vineyard  of  the  I^ord.  as  God's  Spirit  and  Zion's  need 
may  require  ;  or  that  riches  or  honors  should  be  any  condition  of 
our  union.  I  consider  that  the  duties  of  religion  and  those  of  a 
husband  pei-fectly  agree  and  never  interfere.  An  unkind  husband 
cannot  be  a  Christian,  or  at  least  a  good  one.  I  would  never  gi\  <.' 
my  hand  to  a  woman,  unless  1  thought,  witlmut  exception,  1  could, 
and  should,  and  would  befriend  her  as  myself  in  sickness,  sorrow, 
poverty,  and  all  the  depths  of  human  woes  ;  and  further,  unless  I 
could  overlook  her  im})«n*fections  and  beai' them  as  my  own.  Neith- 
er do  I  want  the  hand  of  one  who  is  not  at  least  firndy  resolved 
to  do  the  same.  If,  dear  Marilla,  you  ever  consent  to  become  my 
])artner  in  life,  you  will  find  me  a  man  of  like  {)assions  as  other 
men  ;  and  yet,  you  may  assure  yourself,  that  as  a  Christian  I  shall 
at  least  feel  the  obligation  '  To  love  you  even  as  Christ  loved 
the  church,  and  gave  himself  for  it.'  But  to  promise  worldly  rich- 
es, lionors,  or  ease,  I  think  is  not  my  province ;  for  these  are  things 


224 


MEMOIRS    OP 


¥'Ji 


•■^l 


I  have  not  only  not  promised  myself,  but  rather  contented  myself 
with  the  following  mid  some  otlier  Scriptures  :  '  It  is  enough  that 
the  servant  be  as  his  Lord.'  '  After  all  these  things  do  the  Gen- 
tiles seek,  and  your  Heavenly  Father  knoweth  that  ye  have  need 
of  them.'  '  No  good  thing  will  he  withhold  from  them  that  walk 
uprightly.'  " 

[  T'o  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Turner.'] 

*  *  *  "  If  I  mistake  not,  your  principal  objection  to  our 
union  is  my  itinerant  life  ;  no  dwelling  of  my  own,  &c.  &c.  The 
objection  is  worthy  of  consideration,  and  a  more  f'.efinite  reply  than 
it  has  as  yet  received.  Having  been  accustomed,  where  men  gen- 
erally promise,  only  to  encourage,  where  they  encourage,  to  be  si- 
lent, and  thus  avoid  disappointing  grievously ;  and  jealous  that  in 
such  an  hour,  I  might  give  expectations  which  would  rather  re- 
strict from  duty's  path,  I  think  I  made  little  reply.  In  all  my 
hopes,  I  would  calculate  for  the  worst,  so  that  if  disappointed,  it 
would  be  for  the  better.  But  to  the  objection.  If,  to  remove  this 
objection  satisfactorily,  I  must  abandon  the  gospel  ministry  as  the 
great  work  of  my  life — it  camiot  be  removed.  If,  for  a  wife,  I 
would  abandon  the  cause  of  my  God,  I  should  be  jealous  of  my 
own  heart,  and  that  the  same  depravity  might  lead  me  to  ab.nndon 
the  wife  of  my  youth,  whom  I  could  have  no  more  re.ison  to  love 
than.  Ilim  who  with  his  life  redeemed  my  soul."] 

Monday,  Sept.  21,  we  bade  the  parental  home  adieu.  To  our 
y)arents,  and  to  us  all,  this  was  a  solemn  parting.  In  the  evening, 
1  preached  with  freedom  at  Burford,  and  on  Wednesday,  at 
St.  Catharines.  At  the  latter  meeting,  I  understood  that  several 
were  seriously  affected,  among  whom  were  two  or  three  Konian 
Catholics.  Next  day  we  visited  the  monument  erected  on  Queens- 
ton  heights,  to  the  memory  of  Gen.  Brock,  a  British  officer,  who 
fell  in  battle  near  this  spot  during  the  late  war.  We  ascended  the 
spiral  staircase  to  the  height  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet.  The 
prospect  was  beautiful  and  extensive.  Yet  when  I  considered  this 
work,  I  was  reminded  of  the  saying  of  Solomon,  "  Vaniti/  of  vani- 
ties, all  is  vanity."  O,  how  great  a  contrast  between  the  reflec- 
tions occasioned  on  visiting  the  monument  of  an  officer,  and  the 
tomb  of  a  Christian  I  At  the  former,  we  witness  the  solitude  of 
glory  that  has  faded  away  ;  and  at  the  latter,  we  hear,  as  it  were, 
a  voice,  saying,  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  that  die  in  the  Lord." 

"On  Friday  morning,  while  we  were  riding  near  Lockport,  a 
black  cloud  arose,  and  a  loud  roar  of  thunder  continued  six  or  sev- 
en minutes  without  cessation.  Man  and  beast  were  frightened,  and 
all  around  appeared  solemn  like  the  judgment.  But  when  the  last 
trumpet  shall  be  blown,  and  its  roar  be  continued  till  all  the  dead 


DAVID    MARKS. 


225 


shall  awake,  and  every  one  appear  before  God,  ala,s !  what  fear 
and  trembling  will  then  take  hold  on  the  wicked.  In  the  afternoon 
we  arrived  in  Royalton,  and  were  received  affectionately  by  our 
relatives.  I  held  three  or  four  meetings,  and  reached  Canandai- 
gua  Oct.  1st.  On  the  Sabbath,  I  preached  with  the  church  ;  and 
on  Tuesday,  in  company  with  brother  Straight,  proceeded  toward 
Spafford,  where  the  General  Conference  was  soon  to  meet.  We 
held  a  meeting  in  Junius  ;  and  while  brother  S.  was  exhorting  sin- 
ners to  repent,  a  Universalist  threatened  him  with  violence,  if  he 
did  not  stop  preaclung  that  the  wicked  should  be  damned.  But  he 
waxed  bold  and  spoke  with  more  power.  Thus  the  Lord  maketh 
'•  the  wrath  of  man"  to  praise  him.  Thursday,  I  preached  at  a  fu- 
neral on  the  island  Avest  of  Montezuma,  and  also  at  Weedsport. 
Several  were  affected.  On  the  day  following  we  arrived  at  Spaf- 
ford, and  met  with  many  brethren,  whose  presence  rejoiced  my 
heart. 

Saturday,  Oct.  10,  1829,  the  third  session  of  the  General  Con- 
ference opened  in  this  town,  at  9  o'clock,  A.  M.  Ten  messengers 
were  present  from  the  New  England  states.  Sabbath  morning,  at 
the  hour  of  nine,  the  house  was  filled,  and  at  the  opening  of  the 
meeting,  it  seemed  as  though  we  were  all  "  by  one  Spirit  baptized 
into  one  body."  Eld.  S.  Curtis,  a  young  man  from  Maine,  preach- 
ed from  John  4:13,14,  "Whosoever  drinketh,"  «&;c.  The  Holy 
Spirit  made  considerable  impression  on  the  assembly.  After  a 
short  intermission.  Elder  N.  Brown  preached  from  2  Pet.  1:3,  4, 
"  According  as  his  divine  power,"  &c.  The  solemnity  in  the  as- 
sembly continued  to  increase,  and  Elder  E.  Place  next  arose,  and 
repeated  Jer.  12:5,  "If  thou  hast  run  with  the  footmen,  and  they 
have  wearied  thee,  then  how  canst  thou  contend  with  horses  ?  and 
if  in  the  land  of  peace,  wherein  thou  trusted^t,  they  wearied  thee, 
then  how  wilt  thou  do  in  the  swelling  of  Jordan  ?"  He  said,  the 
Lord  had  sent  him  from  New  Hampshire  to  this  meeting,  and  giv- 
en him  a  witness  that  he  should  here  see  souls  converted.  This 
saying  made  me  tremble,  for  fear  he  had  spoken  presumptuously  ; 
for  I  knew  the  state  of  the  church,  and  of  the  people  in  this  place ; 
and  it  was  such  that  it  seemed  impossible  sinners  should  be  con- 
verted. But  when  he  began  to  describe  the  ^^  swelUnr/  of  Jordan y* 
his  soul  was  led  into  the  sanctuary  of  God — he  saw  the  end  of  the 
wicked.  The  place  became  awful,  and  the  scene  surpassed  de- 
scription. Every  eye  was  fixed  on  the  speaker,  till  unnumbered 
faces  were  bathed  in  tears,  and  many  frames  convulsed,  while 
touching  groans  burst  from  sinners'  hearts,  "  and  all  around  seemed 
like  the  judgment."  My  feelings  were  so  powerfully  affected,  thr^t 
I  queried  whether  I  should  lose  my  breath  or  live  through  the 
scene.     Many  sinners  were  awakened — wept  for  their  transgress- 


11 


""?. 


I     f  ii 


22G 


MEMOIRS    OP 


i 


ions,  and  we  now  expected  to  see  souls  converted.  On  Monday, 
the  meeting  of  business  detained  me  from  the  meetings  of  worsliip 
till  the  Conference  adjourned  in  the  evening.  On  entering  the 
meeting,  I  found  that  many  were  on  their  knees  praying  earnestly. 
They  continued  wrestling  with  the  Lord,  till  five  were  brought  to 
rejoice.  The  meeting  closed  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Next 
day,  worship  was  attended ;  and  in  the  evening  more  than  thirty 
came  forward  for  prayer.  The  exercises  continued  till  midnight. 
and  two  or  three  professed  to 'find  peace  in  believing.  On  Wed- 
nesday two  sermons  were  preached,  and  the  power  of  God  attend- 
ed them.  One  of  the  converts,  a  young  woman,  w'as  so  filled  with 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  that  her  strength  ftiiled,  and  she  remained 
nearly  motionless  through  the  meeting.  One  of  her  brothers  was 
angry  and  took  her  aAvay.     In  the  evening  the  Conference  closed. 

The  business  of  the  Conference  was  conducted  with  great  una- 
nimity ;  and  although  every  part  of  the  connexion  Avas  here  rep- 
resented by  delegates — many  subjects  considered,  and  much  busi- 
ness transacted,  yet  the  greatest  point  of  difference  that  appeared, 
was,  "  whether  a  private  labor,  according  to  Matt.  18:15,  16,  17, 
should  be  taken  with  an  offending  brother  whose  crime  has  been 
committed  publicly,  or  whether  he  should  be  immediately  called  to 
an  account  by  the  church."  A  large  majority  of  the  Conference 
decided  in  favor  of  the  latter  position. 

On  Thursday  morning,  the  young  man  wdio  took  his  sister  from 
the  meeting  the  day  before,  kneeled  for  prayer ;  and  in  the  even- 
ing meeting,  the  number  of  the  anxious  increased  to  nearly  forty. 
AVe  continued  our  stay  in  Spafford  nearly  a  month,  attended  meet- 
ings day  and  night,  and  enjoyed  many  blessed  seasons.  The  num- 
ber of  converts  increased  to  about  forty,  and  I  enjoyed  the  privi- 
lege of  baptizing  eleven.  In  this  time  I  preached  in  several  oth- 
er towns.  In  Sempronius  a  revival  commenced,  and  a  niunber 
were  converted.  In  one  meeting  that  I  attended,  some  of  the  "  ba- 
ser 50/-^"  raised  an  opposition — *^hrew  down  candles — cast  sticks  in- 
to the  assembly — threw  a  large  ball  of  mud  at  me  while  I  was 
speaking — cut  harnesses,  &c. 

On  Sabbath,  Nov.  22,  1829,  I  had  the  privilege  of  baptizing  my 
companion.  As  some  circumstances  attending  her  conversion  were 
rather  remarkable,  I  have  thought  a  short  sketch  of  her  religious 
experience  introduced  here,  might  not  be  altogether  unacceptable 
to  the  reader,  and  I  have  hoped  might  be  instrumental  of  good  to 
some  poor  soul  that  may  have  fallen  into  a  like  situation. 

She  was  the  eldest  daughter  of  Capt.  Daniel  Turner,  formerly 
of  Arlington,  Vt.,  now  of  Zorra,  Upper  Canada.  Till  the  age  of 
eighteen  years,  she  resided  mostly  with  her  parents  in  Arlington. 
and  attended  school.     She  was  taught  to  respect  religion,  and  usu- 


DAVID    MARKS. 


227 


ally  attended  public  worship  with  the  Episcopalian  church.  After 
her  parents  removed  to  Canada,  she  spent  nearly  three  years  teach- 
ing scliool  in  Oxford.  In  March,  1829,  a  little  before  she  was 
twenty-two  years  old,  sh*'  was  first  brought  seriously  to  feel  her 
need  of  the  Savior.  It  w  as  deeply  impi-essed  on  her  mind,  that  if 
she  did  not  immediately  turn  to  God,  she  should  be  cast  off  forev- 
er. Then  she  resolved  to  seek  the  Lord,  and  sighed  for  her  neg- 
lect of  tiie  Savior.  Her  sorrow  increased  till  she  felt  constrained 
to  abandon  her  usual  studl(?s,  and  devote  her  whole  time  to  read- 
ing the  Bible,  to  meditation,  and  prayer.  In  about  two  weeks, 
while  reading  a  sermon  on  the  sufferings  of  Christ,  she  thought  she 
could  and  would  believe  in  the  Son  of  God  ; — she  thought  she  did 
believe,  and  her  burden  left  her.  For  a  day  she  rejoiced,  and  in- 
dulged the  hope  that  God  had  forgiven  her  all.  But  the  next  day, 
while  reading  the  Scripture,  "  We  know  that  we  have  passed  from 
death  unto  life,  because  we  love  the  brethren,"  she  thought  her  ev- 
idence wiis  not  clear,  and  that  the  change  in  her  attachment  to 
Christians  was  not  such  as  they  had  exi)erienced.  So  she  resolv- 
ed to  renew  her  supplications  as  a  penitent,  lost  sinner.  She  has 
since  related  her  exercises  on  this  occasion,  as  follows : 

"  Now,  alas  !  I  could  not  feel  a  sense  of  my  sin.  I  labored  for 
it,  but  it  could  not  be  obtained.  I  tried  to  hope,  but  my  spirit 
sank,  and  I  despaired.  Every  thing  confirmed  me  in  the  belief, 
that  there  was  no  mercy  for  me.  I  regretted  my  existence— rcn- 
vied  the  idiot — and  would  have  gladly  exchanged  places  with  the 
reptiles — or  plunged  into  non-existence.  My  food  became  loath- 
some, my  sleep  departed,  and  often  when  I  took  a  drink  of  water, 
I  thought  I  should  soon  be  with  the  rich  man  in  hell,  where  I  could 
not  obtain  even  one  drop.  Whole  nights  were  sometimes  spent  in 
pra^  er,  without  any  relief — my  flesh  wasted  away,  and  I  drew  near 
the  grave.  My  friends  looked  on  me  and  wept.  I  could  not  com- 
fort tlif  m,  for  I  was  comfortless  myself.  Then  I  said,  my  life  is 
useless,  and  I  am  a  cause  of  grief  to  all  that  are  dear  to  me." 

Her  parents,  alarmed  on  account  of  her  gloomy  state,  invited 
ministers  of  different  denominations  to  converse  with  her,  hoping  it 
might  be  instrumental  of  her  gaining  some  consolation.  But  all 
seemed  to  be  in  vain.  Deep  sorrow  was  depicted  on  her  counte- 
nance, and  she  appeared  extremely  disconsolate.  In  conversation 
with  one  who  visited  her,  she  said,  "  I  have  not  seen  the  magnitude 
of  my  sins  in  neglecting  the  Savior  ;  and  now  my  heart  is  not  sust 
ceptible  of  penitence.  I  think  there  is  no  mercy  for  me;  not  be- 
cause God  is  a  respecter  of  persons,  or  his  grace  insufficient,  but 
because  I  have  refused  his  mercy.  I  try  to  pray ;  my  lips  speak, 
but  my  heart  will  not  draw  near  to  God.  Every  effort  seems  to 
be  useless,  and  all  my  former  joys  are  fled.     Still,  I  know  it  is  not 


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228 


MEMOIRS    OP 


the  love  of  the  world  that  prevents  me  from  coming  to  Christ ;  for 
could  I  have  a  thousand  worlds  hy  turning  my  hand  over,  I  am 
confident  I  should  not  do  it ;  yet  if  1  could  obtain  an  interest  in 
Christ  hy  passing  through  the  pangs  of  death  ten  thousand  times, 
I  would  joyfully  submit  to  these  terms.  But,  alas  !  I  believe  there 
are  but  few  days  for  me  on  earth ;  and  while  I  have  them  I  am 
constantly  reminded  of  their  short  duration.  These  reflections,  at 
times,  so  affect  me,  that  I  tremble,  and  my  strength  fails."  While 
making  these  statements,  she  wept  profusely,  and  all  her  emotions 
seemed  to  exhibit  a  state  of  confirmed  despair. 

Upon  this  account  of  her  state,  the  following  Scriptures  were  re- 
cited to  her  :  "  Come  unto  me  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy  la- 
den, and  I  will  give  you  rest."  "  Look  unto  me  and  be  ye  saved, 
all  the  ends  of  the  earth."  "  Thou  shalt  find  him,  if  thou  seek  him 
with  all  thy  heart  and  Avith  all  thy  soul."  "  In  the  last  day,  that 
great  day  of  the  feast;  Jesus  stood  and  cried,  saying,  li  any  man  thirst, 
let  him  come  unto  me,  and  drink."  "  Him  that  cometh  to  me  I  will 
in  no  wise  cast  out."  "  But,"  said  she,  "  these  promises  cannot  ap- 
ply to  me.  To  come  to  God,  we  must  have  faith :  *  whatsoever  is 
not  of  faith  is  sin.' "  She  was  then  exhorted  to  pray  for  faith.  She 
replied,  "  I  cannot  pray  acceptably ;  to  pray  with  lips  only  is  mock- 
ery. Once  I  might  have  prayed — but  now  my  heart  will  not  feel 
— it  cannot  feel — and  how  can  I  come  to  a  holy  God  ?"  She 
was  answered,  "  Come  repenting."  "  I  cannot  repent,"  she  replied, 
"  genuine  repentance  is  a  deep  sorrow  for  sin.  True,  I  regret  my 
neglect  of  God,  and  feel  in  some  measure  the  miseries  of  sin.  And 
the  damned  in  hell  may  do  this  ;  may  feel  as  much,  and  more  ;  but 
what  does  this  avail  them  ?  surely,  no  more  than  it  does  me.  I 
might  have  repented,  if  I  would  have  improved  my  day ;  but  now 
I  am  only  reminded  that  my  probation  is  concluded,  that  after  a 
few  solitary  days,  I  must  lie  down  in  eternal  sorrow."  '  But,'  it 
was  replied,  *  God  is  long-suffering — not  willing  that  any  should 
perish ;'  and  "  his  tender  mercies  are  over  all  the  works  of 
his  hands."  She  answered,  "  True,  and  this  increases  my  guilt ; 
for  I  have  rejected  his  long-suffering,  and  trodden  upon  his  tender 
mercy.  And  I  am  now  justly  condemned,  and  the  throne  of  God 
will  be  forever  clear  in  my  eternal  damnation."  All  the  Scripture 
promises  suited  to  her  case,  and  all  endeavors  to  apply  them,  she 
would  either  evade  by  argument,  or  by  saying,  that  she  felt  they 
could  not  apply  to  one  in  her  situation.  She  said,  "  I  have  tried 
to  hope,  but  it  is  vain — it  is  deeply  impressed  on  my  mind,  that 
nothing  remains  for  me,  but  to  "  go  away  into  everlasting  punish- 
ment.' Yet  I  cannot  murmur  against  God.  My  feelings  are 
changed  ;  I  am  a  stranger  to  the  former  reflections  of  my  mind  ; 
indifferent  to  my  former  pursuits,  and  I  loathe  the  gayety  of  the 


DAVID   BTARKS. 


220 


world.  The  months  I  spent  in  useless  needle-work,  witness  against 
me,  and  I  am  reminded  that  I  have  done  worse  than  to  waste  them 
for  nought.  Had  I  spent  that  time  seeking  the  Lord,  I  might  now 
have  been  happy.'* 

It  was  remarked  to  her,  that  if  she  ever  found  poaee,  it  would 
be  in  prayer  ;  that  the  Lord  had  answered  the  prayers  of  wicked 
men  and  of  devils,  Mark  5:12,  13 — U;  and,  much  more,  would 
he  answer  the  prayers  of  those  who  sorrow  for  their  sins  and  for- 
sake them.  Then  it  was  proposed  to  her  to  kneel  and  pray  three 
times  a  day  for  a  year.  She  declined,  saying  it  would  be  of  no 
use.  But  after  some  reflection,  concluding  it  could  do  no  harm, 
she  made  the  covenant.  Ten  days  after  this,  she  attended  the  con- 
ference of  the  Free-will  and  the  Free  Communion  Baptists  in  Ox- 
ford ;  and  several  friends  spent  a  night  in  prayer  with  her — still 
she  found  no  relief,  and  the  next  day  her  distress  increased.  She 
observed,  "  If  so  many  prayers  of  the  saints  in  ray  behalf,  gain  no 
access,  the  cause  must  be,  that  my  doom  is  unalterably  fixed."  The 
state  of  her  mind  continued  about  the  same  for  seveml  months,  as 
appears  by  the  following  extracts  from  her  letters  : 

July  30,  1829,  she  writes : — "  Still  it  appears  to  me,  the  door  of 
mercy  is,  forever  and  justly  closed  against  me  ;  for  God  has  called, 
and  I  have  refused  ;  he  stretched  out  his  arm,  and  I  would  not  re- 
gard. And  what  am  I,  that  I  have  dared  to  refuse  obedi- 
ence, and  to  rebel  against  an  almighty  God,  who  had  power 
any  moment  to  sink  me  into  an  abyss  of  wo  and  misery  !  But, 
instead  of  this  deserved  doom,  his  sparing  mercies  have  followed 
me,  and  temporal  blessings  have  been  bestowed  with  a  liberal  hand. 
I  review  these  mercies,  and  at  times  indulge  the  vain  hope  that 
they  will  lead  me  to  love  and  place  an  unbounded  confidence  in 
their  divine  Author.  But,  O  the  depravity  of  my  heart !  The 
thought  that  happiness  has  forever  fled  my  bosom,  makes  me  at 
times  almost  indifferent  to  my  fate.  Yet  I  am  in  the  hands  of  God, 
and  with  him  all  things  are  possible.  My  sister  appears  to  be  se- 
rious ;  she  arose  in  meeting  two  days  since  and  expressed  a  deter- 
mination to  seek  the  Lord.  She  is  two  years  younger  thun  my- 
self ;  and,  did  I  possess  millions  of  worlds,  I  would  joyfully  give 
them  up,  if  I  could  by  that  means  recall  two  years  of  my  life. 
But,  alas  !  vain  wish  !  Wliy  do  I  spend  a  single  thought  on  that 
which  cannot  be,  when  soon  I  may  have  an  eternity  to  reflect 
in !" 

Aug.  20,  she  writes:  —  "What  infatuation,  what  fatal  mad- 
ness has  deceived  me,  and  caused  me  to  treat  the  mercies  of  Heav- 
en with  such  neglect  and  indifference !  What  has  the  Lord  not 
done  for  me,  that  would  have  been  likely  to  inspire  ray  soul  with 
gi-atitude  and  love,  and  secure  my  obedience  ?  Of^en  does  my 
20 


4 

1 

^■n 

230 


MEMOIRS    OF 


heart  recur  to  the  scenes  of  childhood,  when  I  fondly  pictured  to 
myself  and  my  heart  glowed  in  contemplating  what  I  then  believ- 
ed to  be  the  virtuous  i)rinciples  that  would  be  engraven  on  my 
soul,  and  the  usefulness  that  would  mark  my  future  life.  But  when 
I  look  back  for  these  fruits  of  piety,  what  do  I  find  in  their  stead  ? 
I  am  led  to  exclaim,  '  wretched  ingrate  that  I  have  been !'  O  the 
deceitfuiness  of  sin  !  Justly  may  it  call  for  the  vengeance  of  a 
holy  God. 

"  I  mentioned  in  my  former  communication,  that  my  sister  was 
serious.  She  has  found  comfort,  and  gone  forward  in  the  ordi- 
nance of  baptism.  I  walked  with  her  to  the  water,  but  could  go  no 
further.  It  appeared  to  me,  that  we  should  soon  be  separated  for 
a  long  eternity ; — she  to  be  a  partaker  of  the  glorious  rest  provid- 
ed for  the  children  of  God,  while,  alas  !  I  should  have  my  portion 
with  unbelievers.  *0  that  it  were  not  forever  P  The  certain 
conviction  that  this  must  be  my  fate,  if  I  die  in  my  present  condi- 
tion, causes  me  to  refer  my  hopeless  case  to  Him,  who  alone  can 
cleanse  my  soul  from  all  its  impurities.  But  I  am  sensible  that  my 
prayers  want  that  quality,  which  alone  can  render  them  accepta- 
ble ;  for  when  asking,  it  appears  to  me,  I  am  requesting  that  which 
will  never  be  granted ;  that  I  am  pleading  Him  to  do  more  for  me 
than  He  ever  did  for  any  one  in  my  situation,  or  more  than  He  has 
promised  to  do.  This  thought  rests  on  mj  mind  with  such  weight 
that  all  the  arguments  I  can  urge  will  in  no  manner  affect  it. 
Again,  at  times,  when  I  reflect  on  His  power,  and  that  He  is  not 
willing  any  should  perish,  I  think  I  may  possibly  experience 
his  salvation.  But  no  sooner  do  I  recollect  my  situation,  than  this 
also,  vanishes.  Sometimes  I  say  within  myself,  '  I  am  in  His 
hands,  and  will  wholly  resign  myself  to  Him  ;'  but  I  can  no  long- 
er do  as  I  would.  My  soul  is  in  possession  of  the  powers  of  dark- 
ness, and  it  is  an  Almighty  arm  alone  which  can  rescue  me.  The 
grave  will  soon  be  my  bed ;  and,  were  I  prepared,  I  could  this  mo- 
ment greet  death  as  a  welcome  friend.  But  while  life  shall  be 
spared,  I  will  strive  to  seek  the  Lord." 

During  the  summer  the  food  she  allowed  herself  to  support  na- 
ture was  reduced  to  almost  nothing,  and  her  sleep,  on  an  average, 
to  about  two  hours  in  twenty-four.  Her  health  declined  till  she 
was  reduced  to  a  mere  skeleton,  and  apparently  stood  on  the  brink 
of  the  grave.  Not  a  smile  cheered  her  countenance ;  much  of  her 
time  was  spent  in  weeping,  and  her  friends  mourned  for  her  as  for 
one  that  was  dead. 

This  was  the  situation  of  her  mind,  both  at  the  commencement 
of  our  acquaintance,  and  at  the  time  of  our  marriage.  Yet,  I  be- 
lieved the  Lord  by  his  Holy  Spirit  had  shown  me  that  he  de- 
signed this  visitation  of  his  stern  justice  to  prepare  her  for  his 


DAVID    MARKS. 


231 


Ml 


na- 


service.  In  these  circumstances,  our  engagement  for  life  was  at- 
tended with  much  solemnity  and  weeping.  And  I  should  have 
preferred  still  deeper  mourning  on  this  occasion,  rather  than  to 
have  entered  intc  the  marriage  covenant  with  that  inexcusable  van- 
ity and  trifling,  which,  too  often,  at  such  times,  corrupt  men,  and  of- 
fend God.  After  our  marriage,  she  still  continued  in  her  despair- 
ing state,  and  passed  much  of  her  time  in  bitter  weeping.  My  faith, 
that  she  would  yet  be  brought  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  seemed  to 
give  her  a  little  hope  ;  but,  from  her  own  feelings,  she  still  judged 
her  case  to  be  hopeless ;  and  remarked,  that  she  thought  I  should 
have  to  bear  her  afflictions  but  a  few  days,  and  then,  with  her,  all 
would  be  lost.  Our  days  passed  in  mourning,  and  much  of  our 
time  was  spent  in  prayer. 

On  our  arrival  at  Spafford  to  attend  the  General  Conference,  a 
preacher,  who  was  my  friend,  on  becoming  acquainted  with  the 
gloomy  state  of  my  companion,  said  to  me,  "  I  am  surprised  that 
you  have  married  a  person  in  her  state  of  mind — she  cannot  live 
long  in  this  situation,  and  I  think  it  probable  her  despair  will  end 
in  insanity."     I  replied,  *  I  am  aware  that  many  spirit^s  have  gone 
out  into  the  world,  and  that  often  man  is  deceived.     Yet,  I  know, 
if  God  ever  spoke  by  me,  I  shall  yet  see  her  happy  in  the  Lord.' 
In  the  evening,  on  Monday,  Elder  Place  begged  a  dismission  from 
business,  that  he  might  go  to  the  assembly  of  worship ;  "  For,"  said 
he,  "  I  have  a  message  from  the  Lord."      Soon  after  entering  the 
meeting,  he  addressed  my  companion,  and  said  to  her,  "  I  have  a 
message  from  God   to  you  ;" — then  told  her,  he  knew  in   God 
there  was  mercy  for  her,  exhorted  her  not  to  despair,  and  said,  he 
knew  the  Lord  never  gave  his  children,  in  behalf  of  one  whose  case 
was  hopeless,  such  a  travail  of  soul  as  he  felt  for  her.   After  speak- 
ing to  her  case  about  half  an  hour,  he  exhorted  her  to  kneel  in 
presence  of  the  assembly  and  pray  for  mercy.     She  did — a  ray  of 
hope  pierced  her  direful  gloom.      The  chains  which  for  seven 
long  months  had  bound  her  mind,  now  gave  way ;   and  she  began 
to  believe  that  the  Lord  would  grant  her  the  joys  of  his  salvation. 
The  cries,  "  Lord,  have  mercy !"  "  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sin- 
ner !"  were  now  heard  in  every  part  of  the  assembly.     About  this 
time,  the  members  of  Conference  adjourned  their  business  and  re- 
paired to  the  house  of  worship.     I  found  my  companion  rejoicing 
in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  though  she  hardly  dared  to  think  she  had 
found  any  comfort  that  would  be  permanent.     But  from  the  time 
of  the  Conference,  her  faith,  hope,  and  joy  gradually  increased,  till 
she  gained  victory  over  her  desponding  state  of  mind. 

On  Sabbath,  Nov.  22,  she  related  her  experience,  and  was  re- 
ceived by  the  church  at  Canandaigua.  After  sermon,  we  retired 
to  the  shore  of  the  lake,  where  she  was  baptized.     For  this  oppor- 


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232 


MEMOIBS    OF 


Ki 


tunity,  my  joy  was  unspeakable,  and  I  said  iii  my  heart,  as  did  one 
on  another  occasion  :  "  My  soul  doth  magnify  the  Lord — For  he 
that  is  mighty  hath  done  to  me  gi'eat  things  ;  and  holy  is  his  name." 
She  was  now  a  help  in  my  ministry  and  accompanied  me  in  my 
travels.  The  furnace  through  which  she  had  passed  for  seven 
months,  appeai'ed  to  have  weaned  her  from  the  world,  its  pride,  and 
its  vanity  ;  and  she  seemed  to  have  no  object  or  desire,  except  to 
devote  herself  to  Grod  and  his  cause.  If  at  any  time,  I  expressed 
sorrow  for  the  want  of  any  convenience  of  life,  she  would  remind 
me  of  the  poverty  our  Savior  endured,  and  say,  "  Is  it  not  enough 
that  the  servant  he  as  his  Lord  ?"  or  recite  some  other  similar  Scrip- 
ture, assuring  me  that  she  felt  it  a  privilege,  if  the  Lord  called,  to 
suffer  for  his  sake.  She  dated  her  experience  previous  to  her 
sinking  in  despair.  This  is  one  instance,  among  many  that  might  be 
named,  in  which  after  souls  have  received  the  pardoning  grace  of  God, 
they  have,  in  consequence  of  yielding  to  doubts,  waded  through  the 
waters  of  affliction ;  for  months  have  sighed  in  the  deepest  anguish, 
and  trembled  for  fear  they  should  rest  on  a  false  hopC;  while  they 
would  not  knowingly  sin  for  a  world.  Too  often  they  are  censur- 
ed, when  they  ought  to  be  treated  with  tenderness  and  encouraged 
to  persevere.  They  try  to  believe,  and  if  there  appears  to  be  any 
hope,  they  tremble,  and  weep,  and  say,  "  It  is  not  for  me."  I  have 
observed  that  such  persons  rarely,  if  ever,  are  delivered  suddenly. 
Their  light  and  liope  generally  increase  gradually. 


^%.'^ ^ 


DAVID    MARKS. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


233 


Particulars  of  my  Travels  and  Labors  from  November,  1829,  to 

September,  1830. 


Monday,  Nov.  23,  we  attended  a  meeting  in  the  west  part  of 
Middlesex,  and  found  a  revival  progressing  among  the  Methodists. 
On  a  Sabbath  previous,  one  of  their  preachers,  as  I  was  told,  went 
down  into  the  water  Avith  the  converts,  and  baptized  seventeen. 
We  attended  meetings  in  different  neighborhoods  in  the  town.  In 
one,  at  Flint  creek,  twenty  arose  for  prayer.  A  revival  had  just 
commenced  under  the  labors  of  Elder  Wire,  and  two  had  obtained 
a  hope.  I  next  preached  in  Italy,  and  the  word  was  attended  with 
the  power  of  God.  Here  also  five  or  six  had  lately  found  the  Sa- 
vior ;  and  it  was  said  that  in  an  adjacent  neighborhood  all  the 
young  people  had  "  tunied  to  the  Lord." 

Aft€r  preaching  in  several  other  churches,  I  met  the  church  in 
(.'anandaigua  in  monthly  meetin'g,  on  Saturday,  Dec.  4 :  five  came  for- 
ward for  prayer.  On  the  Sabbath,  we  enjoyed  a  refreshing  time.  On 
Monday  evening,  I  rejoiced  to  find  the  work  of  the  Lord  progressing 
in  Conesus.  Next  day,  I  held  two  meetings  in  Sparta,  wliere  the 
Lord  manifested  his  power.  The  revival  that  commenced  under 
the  labors  of  Elder  Fowler,  immediately  after  he  renounced  Free 
Ma-sonry,  still  continued ;  and  the  church  that  he  gathered  in  the 
s])ring,  had  now  increased  to  the  number  of  forty.  Saturday  and 
Sabbath,  Dec.  10,  and  11,  we  attended  a  two-days' meeting  at  Beth- 
any, in  which  saints  were  happy,  and  sinners  were  awakened.  The 
Lord  iiad  lately  poured  out  his  Spirit  in  this  place,  and  about  thir- 
tv  liad  found  the  Savior. 

The  following  week  we  attended  meetings  in  Batavia,  Byron, 
Clarkson,  and  Greece ;  then  returned  to  Canandaigua.  The  last 
of  December,  we  visited  a  few  churches  of  the  Ontario  quarterly 
meeting,  and  on  "  New  Year's  day,"  1830,  attended  a  session  of 
said  meeting  at  Galen.  The  week  ensuing,  I  preached  in  differ- 
ent towns,  and  attended  the  Benton  quarterly  meeting,  at  Flint 
creek  in  Middlesex.  Nearly  sixty  had  been  converted  in  this 
place  since  our  last  visit.  A  school  teacher  was  one  of  the  first. 
Several  of  his  scholars,  from  the  age  of  ten  to  fifteen,  became  seri- 
ous ;  and  some  of  them  retired  to  a  wood,  at  the  time  of  intermis- 
sion, to  pray  for  mercy — ^forgot  their  school  till  near  its  close,  when 
they  returned  happy  in  the  Lord.  Nineteen  of  the  children  had 
professed  to  be  converted  ;  and  while  I  heard  them  tell  what  God 
had  done  for  their  souls,  I  rejoiced  that  the  Savior  had  said,  "  Suf- 
20* 


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fer  little  children  to  come  unto  mc,  and  forbid  them  not."  This  was 
also  a  day  of  good  tidings  from  other  churches.  During  the  meet- 
ing on  the  Sabbath,  a  woman  of  about  three  score  years  was  con- 
verted, and  for  the  first  time  shouted  the  praises  of  Emmanuel. 

Jan.  16  and  17,  we  attended  the  second  session  of  the  Allegan} 
quarterly  meeting,  held  in  Sparta.  The  revival  in  this  town  had 
spread  into  Springwater,  Conhocton,  and  Dansville.  Elder  Fow- 
ler had  lately  baptized  fourteen,  and  the  number  of  the  church 
had  increased  to  fifty-five.  During  the  meeting  five  souls  were 
hopefully  converted.  This  quarterly  meeting  was  organized  about 
three  months  before  ;  and,  at  this  time,  consisted  of  four  churches, 
containing  one  hundred  and  forty-four  members,  three  elders  and 
two  unordained  preachers.  The  largest  of  these  churches  was  in 
the  town  of  Independence.  It  was  gathered  by  a  Free  Commun- 
ion Baptist  minister.  He,  with  the  church,  I  understood,  renounc- 
ed their  belief  in  the  '  certainty  of  the  perseverance  of  the  saints,' 
and  embraced  the  doctrine  of  the  the  '  necessity  of  their  persever- 
ance.'    They  were  nov/  blessed  with  a  revival. 

Jan.  22,  24,  we  attended  the  Bethany  quarterly  meeting,  in  the 
south  part  of  Penfield.  The  reports  from  the  churches  were  in- 
teresting, and  some  of  the  preachers  came  in  the  fullness  of  the 
blessing  of  the  gospel.  On  the  Sabbath,  for  want  of  room,  meet- 
ings were  held  in  two  places.  Elder  Jenkins  preached  to  one  as- 
sembly in  the  forenoon,  and  to  the  other  in  the  afternoon,  with 
great  power.  Unusual  solemnity  rested  on  the  people,  and  many 
were  melted  into  tears. 

Monday  morning,  a  young  man  who  was  teaching  a  dancing 
school,  and  a  professed  Universalist,  begged  some  of  the  preach- 
ers to  pray  for  him.  He  requested  a  prayer  meeting  to  be  ap- 
pohited  in  the  evening  on  his  account ;  and  though  it  was  very 
stormy,  a  large  house  was  crowded  with  people.  Thirteen  kneel- 
ed for  prayer,  and  one  or  two  were  brought  to  praise  the  Lord. 
The  next  evening  of  my  meeting,  thirty  came  forward  for  prayer, 
and  two  were  brought  into  liberty.  Leaving  Penfield,  we  return- 
ed to  Canandaigua,  and  held  a  fcAV  meetings  in  different  towns. 

In  the  early  part  of  February,  we  journeyed  to  Zorra,  Upper 
Canada;  and  on  the  way  held  several  meetings,  which  were  re- 
freshing. But  as  the  sleighing  left  us  suddenly,  after  a  very  short 
stay  with  our  relatives,  we  returned  in  haste ;  and,  on  the  20th  of 
February,  arrived  in  Penfield.  Since  the  quarterly  meeting,  many 
a  proud  sinner  had  been  brought  to  bow  at  the  feet  of  Jesus.  The 
brethren  had  just  returned  from  monthly  meeting  ;  in  which  they 
said  ninety-six  spoke  of  the  goodness  of  God,  fifteen  united  with 
the  church,  and  one  soul  was  converted.  The  next  day,  I  stood  in 
a  window  of  a  large  stone  school-house,  and  spoke  nearly  two 


DAVID  MARKS. 


hours  to  about  ei<;ht  hundred  people,  half  of  whom  stood  without. 
After  this  I  had  the  privilege  of  baptising  three:  one  was  a  little 
girl  that  experieneed  religion  at  the  age  of  six.  She  had  anxious- 
ly waited  for  this  opportunity ;  and  when  raised  out  of  the  water, 
exclaimed,  "  Glory  to  the  Lord."  In  the  evening  we  had  a  very 
happy  meeting;  many  converts  spoke,  sinners  confessed,  and  al)oy 
twelve  years  of  age  professed  to  find  Jesus,  and  was  so  filled  with 
joy,  that  he  only  crie<l,  "  Glory — I  am  happy-^glory,  glory,"  &e. 

After  attending  meetings  in  some  other  towns,  wo  returned  to 
Canandaigua.  Sabbath  evening  I  preached  in  the  ivsylum  for  the 
poor  of  Ontario  county,  and  enjoyed  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 
We  understood  the  expense  of  this  establishment  wtis  about  eight 
thousand  dollars ;  and  we  "were  highly  gratified  on  viewing  the 
ample  provisions  for  the  comfort  of  the  afflicted.  At  this  time,  the 
a-^ylum  contained  nearly  one  hundred  ;  the  greater  part  of  whom 
were  brought  to  this  place  through  intemperance.  They  enjoy- 
ed many  religious  privileges. 

In  the  early  part  of  March,  we  returned  to  Penfield,  and  found 
the  revival  still  spreading  with  great  power.  Seventy,  as  we  were 
informed,  had  already  obtained  a  hope.  Meetings  liad  been  attend- 
ed every  evening,  and  nearly  every  day  since  the  quarterly  meet- 
ing. AVe  attended  an  evening  meeting  with  Elders  Hannibal  and 
Straight.  IMany  powerful  exhortations  were  given,  and  several 
came  forward  for  prayer.  The  next  day,  I  preached  with  unusu- 
al liberty,  and  in  the  evening  attended  a  •conference  meeting.  A 
man  who  had  lived  in  sin,  and  in  Universalism,  arose,  apparently 
in  the  agonies  of  despair,  and  said,  "  I  need  not  at^k  Christians  to 
j)rav  for  me — there  is  no  mercy  that  can  reach  my  case."  One  of 
ins  daughters,  who  was  a  young  convert,  addressed  him  very  af- 
fectionately, and  earnestly  entreated  him  to  look  to  Jesus  for  help ; 
then  turning  to  the  assembly  in  a  flood  of  tears,  she  said  to  the  wick- 
ed, "  behold  the  awful  consequences  of  sin."  About  forty  arose 
for  prayer,  and  it  was  a  time  of  great  mourning.  Almost  every 
house  in  the  vicinity  had  become  a  liouse  of  prayer,  and  the  Avork 
was  more  glorious  than  any  I  had  ever  before  witnessed.  The 
dancing  master  and  fiddler,  with  their  pupils,  were  converted  to 
God,  and  their  ball-room  was  open  for  worship. 

We  were  told  about  this  time,  that  a  boy  eight  years  of  age  was 
in  a  barn  praying  for  mercy.  As  he  arose,  he  looked  on  a  horse 
that  was  named  '  Dick,'  and  with  astonishment  exclaimed,  *'  Dick 
is  praising  God !"  He  was  filled  with  Avonder ;  and  as  he  ran  to  tell 
his  parents,  he  passed  the  cattle,  and,  with  increased  surprise,  cried 
out,  "  Why,  the  cattle  are  praising  God !"  Before  he  reached  the 
house,  he  saw  the  geese,  and  seeming  quite  amazed,  he  exclaimed, 
"  And  the  geese  are  praising  God  too !"    When  he  came  to  his 


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parents,  ho  siiid,  with  {jrcat  jvnimntioii,  '*  Dick  is  praislnp;  Tuxl,  an«l 
th(!  cuttl*'  arc  praisin;;  (Jod,  and  the  ^ccsc  arc  praising;  (Jod."  lie 
s<'arccly  had  liiiishi-d  his  story,  when  he  east  his  eyes  oa  the  eat, 
and  with  transport  exclaimed,  '•  Why,  pass,  yon  are  praisin;jf  (lod 
too !"  Thissiniph^  exhihition  of  a  chan^jje  in  the  ehihl,  which  he  snp- 
posed  to  ))e  in  the  thin^jijs  he  saw,  mch<M|  the  liearts  of  his  parents,  and 
th<!y  conlcsscid  th(^  work  to  he  of  (lod.  This  litth'  chiM  foUowed 
his  Lord  in  haptisni.  At  an  evenin;i;  ineetin*^,  I  heard  him  ^ive 
an  exhortation  that  was  extraonUnary  tor  on(M)f  his  years.  After 
at  tend  inj;  another  meeting  in  I'entield,  in  whieli  former  scenes  were 
repeated,  I  preached  in  several  other  phices  ;  and  on  Satnnhiy, 
March  (5,  att«!n(h',d  monthly  meetin*?  with  the  ehnrch  in  Canandai- 
gua.     On  the  Sahbath,  we  had  a  refreshin;i;  season. 

Monday,  March  8,  we  started  with  a  wagon  ior  Scriha,  rode 
thirty  miles  in  a  tedious  storm  of  snow,  and  arrived  at  Lyons 
hue  in  the  evening.  Next  day,  we  proceeded  in  a  sleigh,  and  in  the 
evening,  called  on  a  family  of  professed  Christians.  I  desired 
something  to  eat.  They  told  us  they  had  nothing  cooked,  and  they 
could  not  accommodate  us  ;  so  we  rode  about  eighteen  miles  further, 
much  of  the  distance  on  bare  ground,  and  after  midnight  arrived 
Ht  the  liouse  of  brother  K.  in  Scriha.  Mrs.  K.  was  not  a  profes- 
sor;  yet  she  arose  with  apparent  gladness,  and  prepared  us  a  meal. 
The  occurrences  of  this  evening,  reminded  me  of  two  sayings  of 
our  Lord,  and  their  application :  "  I  was  a  hungered,  and  ye  gave 
nie  no  meat." — "  I  was  a  hungered,  and  ye  f/ave  me  meat."  lleic 
I  found  an  empty  seat.  The  father  of  the  family  died  a  week  be- 
fore. He  was  a  member  of  the  church,  and  ever  when  1  saw  him 
was  much  engaged  in  the  service  of  the  Lord.  lie  once  told  me, 
he  hoped  and  believed,  that  when  his  time  was  fulfdled,  he  should 
go  to  his  home  suddeidy.  I  was  informed  that  he  took  his  dinner, 
apparently  as  well  as  usual,  then  suddenly  fell  from  his  chair.  He 
was  taken  up  immediately — but  he  was  dead.  *  O  Lord,  may  1 
also  be  ready.'  I  held  six  meetings  in  Scriha,  and  found  the  two 
churches  in  this  town,  and  the  one  in  New  Haven,  in  a  state  of  en- 
gagedness  ;  and,  though  destitute  of  an  administrator,  they  appear- 
ed to  maintain  gospel  order.  On  Monday,  ISIarch  15,  Ave  left  Scri- 
ba,  and  after  a  tedious  journey,  arrived  at  Canandaigua. 

During  the  week  following,  I  journeyed  one  hundred  and  fifty 
miles,  and  suffered  much  from  a  tedious  storm.  Sabbath,  March 
28,  I  preached  twice  to  a  small  assembly  in  Geneva.  Next  day  we 
attended  a  meeting  in  Fayette,  and  tarried  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
Whitmer.  Here  we  saw  two  or  three  of  his  sons,  and  others  to 
the  number  of  eight,  who  said  they  were  witnesses  of  a  certain 
book  just  published,  called  the  "  Golden  Bible,'"  or  "  Book  of  Mor- 
mon^  They  affirmed,  that  an  angel  had  showed  them  certain  plates 


DAVID    MARKd. 


287 


of  inoUil,  having  tho  nppcnranco  of  gold,  that  woro  dug  out  of  the 
•ground  by  one  .loHcph  Smith;  Ihsit  on  th»'st!  phit«'H  was  writ- 
ten a  history  of  tin;  ten  trihes  of  Israel  whieh  were  loHt,  and  reve- 
lutionrf  to  different  prophets  that  arose  among  them.  They 
jitated  the  writing  eould  In-  read  by  no  person,  exeept  by  tin?  said 
Smith  ;  and,  that  the  Lord  had  inspired  hii^  to  translat(;  and  pub- 
lish the  book, — that  non<',  but  twelve  ehosen  witnesses,  ha<l  lK»en 
allowed  to  se(!  these  plates,  and  that  now  they  were  "  hid  up  unto 
th(!  Lord."  They  further  stated,  that  twelve  apostles  were  to  be 
appointed,  who  would  soon  eonlirm  their  mission  by  miraeles — and, 
that  if  luiy  one  read  their  bible  and  di<i  not  believe,  they  would 
be  given  up  and  lost  forever.  These  eight  were  in  eoni|mny  with 
Smith  and  three  others.  A  eopy  right  was  seeured  by  Smith  in 
his  own  name.  The  liook  contains  about  six  hundred  oetavo  pages 
of  small  print.  Five  thousand  copies  were  published — and  they 
said  the  angel  told  Smith  to  sell  the  book  at  a  price  which  was  one 
dollar  and  eight  cents  per  copy  more  than  the  cost,  that  they 
"  miyht  have  Oie  temporal  profit,  as  well  as  the  spiritual."  They 
urged  me  to  purchase  a  copy,  and  finally  offered  me  one  for  $1,25. 
"  But,"  said  I,  "  I  understood  yoy  to  say  the  angel  told  you  to  sell 
it  for  *1,75.  They  replied,  "The  angel  said  we  might  sell  it  for 
that  sum,  but  did  not  say  we  should  not  sell  it  for  ary  less." 

When  I  was  in  Ohio,  I  had  quite  a  curiosity  to  know  the  origin 
of  the  numerous  mounds  and  remains  of  ancient  fortifications  that 
abound  in  that  section  of  the  country  ;  but  could  not  find  that  any- 
thing satisfactory  was  known  on  the  subject.  Having  been  told, 
that  the  '  Book  of  Mormon'  gave  a  history  of  them  and  of  their  au- 
thors, some  desire  was  created  in  my  mind  to  read  their  story,  but 
I  could  not,  in  good  conscience,  purchase  a  copy  lest  I  should  sup- 
port a  deception  ;  so  they  lent  me  one,  and  I  read  two  hundred  and 
fifty  pages ;  but  was  greatly  disapjwinted  in  the  style  and  interest 
of  the  work.  So  fai*  from  approaching  the  sublimity  of  the  in- 
spired writers,  they  would  bear  no  comparison  with  the  Apocry- 
pha, or  the  Alcoran.  Indeed  the  style  is  so  insipid,  and  the  work 
so  filled  with  manifest  imposture,  that  I  could  feel  no  interest  in  a 
further  perusal.  It  contained  several  extracts  from  the  Scriptures; 
and,  with  a  little  variation,  Christ's  seimon  on  the  mount.  From 
all  the  circumstances,  I  thought  it  probably  had  been  written  orig- 
inally by  an  infidel,  to  see  how  much  he  could  impose  on  the  cre- 
dulity of  men,  and  to  get  money.  Yet,  I  expected  they  would 
make  converts ;  for  there  are  many  people  who  are  fond  of  new 
things ;  and  there  is  scarcely  any  system  so  absurd  as  to  obtain  no 
advocates.  Shortly  after  this,  I  understood  that  one  of  the  "  wit- 
nesses"  baptized  Smith,  and  then  Smith  baptized  others.  If  one 
believed  the  book  he  was  considered  a  fit  subject  for  baptism. 


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On  reviewing  this  pretended  revelation,  I  was  forcibly  struck 
with  the  contrast  between  the  introduction  of  the  gospel  of  Christ, 
and  that  of  the  '  Book  of  Mormon.'  The  fonner  came  down  from 
heaven  ;  the  latter  is  said  to  have  been  dug  out  of  the  earth.  The 
gospel  was  first  preached  opeiily  with  power,  in  the  sight  of  all 
men,  and  written  afterwards ;  the  '  Book  of  Mormon'  was  first 
written,  secretly,  and  out  of  sight  of  all  men,  except  twelve, 
and  preached  afterwards.  None  of  the  works  of  Christ  and  the 
apostles  were  in  secret,  but  open  to  the  examination  of  all ;  the  or- 
igin of  this  book  is  hid  in  the  dai-k.  The  gospel  of  Christ  was 
confirmed  by  unnumbered  miracles,  wrought  in  the  most  public 
manner ;  the  '  Book  of  Mormon'  is  not  confirmed  by  any  miracles, 
but  its  authority  rests  on  the  testimony  of  twelve  men  v/hom  we 
do  not  know.  The  gospel  of  Christ  presented  to  its  apostles  no 
temporal  gain,  but  the  loss  of  all  things ;  the  '  Book  of  Mormon' 
has  a  copy  right  secured,  that  its  witnesses  may  "  have  the  temporal 
profit'^ — so  men  cannot  tell  that  this  ^'- profit  is  not  what  induces 
them  to  bear  such  witness.  The  gospel  is  confirmed  by  a  thous- 
and prophecies  that  preceded,  and  pointed  to  it,  and  are  still  dai- 
ly fulfilling ;  but  we  know  not  that  any  prophecy  pointed  to  the 
*  Book  of  Mormon.'  The  Bible  is  a  book  of  perfect  harmony,  and 
unrivalled  sublimity ;  the  '  Book  of  Mormon'  is  full  of  absurdity,  and 
too  dull  to  charm  the  soul. 

In  the  early  part  of  April  I  held  a  few  meetings  in  towns  east- 
ward, and  attended  a  session  of  the  Ontario  quarterly  meeting  in 
Conquest.  It  appeared  to  be  a  time  of  mourning  among  the 
churches ;  yet  we  enjoyed  some  good  from  the  Lord.  Monday, 
April  19, 1  preached  in  Macedon;  signs  of  a  revival  appeared, 
and  several  animated  exhortations  were  given.  Next  day,  I 
preached  in  Perinton,  near  Penfield.  Since  our  visit  six  weeks 
before,  the  glorious  work  had  spread  into  adjacent  towns,  and  it 
was  now  thought  that  one  hundred  and  fifty  had  been  converted. 
Eld.  Parker,  who  had  labored  constantly  in  the  revival,  had  baptized 
sixty,  and  more  than  seventy  had  been  added  to  the  church.  The 
land  of  darkness  had  truly  seen  a  great  light,  and  the  shadow  of 
death  had  fled  away.  Leaving  Penfield,  we  visited  several  towns 
west  of  Rochester. 

In  the  latter  part  of  April,  on  our  way  to  the  Allegany  quarter- 
ly meeting,  we  called  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Markham  in  Dansvillc, 
where,  on  the  4th  of  January  previous,  a  shocking  murder  was 
committed.  Mrs.  Markham  stated  to  us  these  particulars : — A 
well  dressed  stranger,  whose  name  was  Millard,  told  a  man  named 
Smith,  who  was  at  work  for  Mr.  Markham,  to  take  a  span  of 
horses  and  carry  him  to  Howard.  Smith  refused,  and  Millard  be- 
gan to  beat  him.     Smith  returned  the  blows  for  a  raiinute,  then 


DAVID    MARKS. 


239 


y  struck 
Christ, 
mm  from 
til.  The 
ht  of  all 
was  first 
twelve, 
and  the 
i  the  or- 
irist  was 
3t  public 
miracles, 
horn  we 
astles  no 
Mormon' 
temporal 
induces 
a  thous- 
still  dai- 
d  to  the 
lony,  and 
•dity,  and 

wns  east- 
jeting  in 
aong  the 
Monday, 
ippeared, 
t  day,  I 
X  weeks 
s,  and  it 
)nverted. 
baptized 
!h.  The 
ladow  of 
•al  towns 

quarter- 
•ansvillc, 
'der  was 
ars : — A 
n  named 
span  of 
Hard  be- 
;te,  then 


took  an  axe  for  his  defence,  and  ran  into  the  house.  Millard 
knocked  him  down  with  a  club,  then  seized  the  axe,  and  with  one 
blow  chopped  off  his  head  !  Mrs.  M.  being  alone  with  her  chil- 
dren, fled  through  a  back  window.  Millard  split  open  the  body  of 
Smith — took  up  his  head  by  the  ear,  and  his  tongue  fell  out — then 
he  pursued  Mrs.  M.,  and  when  he  had  nearly  overtaken  her,  sev- 
eral men  came  to  her  assistance,  pursued  Millai'd  two  hours,  and 
took  him.  Then  he  exclaimed,  "  Lord,  what  have  I  done !  is 
there  a  Mason  here  ?"  One  present  replied  that  he  wa3  a  Mason, 
but  his  crime  was  "  too  greaf^  for  mercy  to  be  expected  on  that 
ground.*  Mrs.  M.  was  greatly  affected  while  she  related  the  cir- 
cumstances! and  it  appeared  that  this  scene  had  been  instrumen- 
tal of  her  conversion  to  God. 

Friday,  April  30,  1830,  the  Allegany  quarterly  meeting  opened 
in  Burns,  and  we  enjoyed  a  heavenly  season.  A  small  church 
had  been  lately  gathered  in  this  town  by  Elder  B.  formerly  a  min- 
ister of  the  Calvinistic  Baptists,  who  had  lately  united  with  the 
quarterly  meeting.f  On  the  Sabbath  the  assembly  was  large,  and 
sermons  were  preached  by  brother  Fowler  and  myself.  In  the 
latter  part  of  the  exercises,  great  solemnity,  and  a  deep  state  of 
feeling  pervaded  the  congregation,  and  several  came  forward  for 
prayer.  A  few  weeks  afterwards,  I  understood  that  a  number  had 
been  converted  in  this  vicinity.  On  Monday  I  preached  with  great 
liberty  in  Dansville,  and  six  or  eight  arose  for  prayer.  I  held 
meetings  in  Groveland  and  Conesus ;  and  on  Friday,  May  7,  at- 
tended the  Benton  quarterly  meeting  at  Canandaigua.  The  re- 
ports from  the  churches  were  more  interestirig  than  at  any  former 
meeting.  The  greater  part  of  them  were  enjoying  revivals ;  and 
since  the  last  quarterly  meeting,  their  number  of  members  had  in- 
creased nearly  one  quarter.  This  was  truly  a  day  of  good  tidings  ; 
gladness  filled  our  hearts,  and  wc  did  not  "  hold  our  peace."  All 
glory  to  God  and  the  Lamb.  May  the  good  work  increase,  till 
"  the  kingdoms  of  the  world  become  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and 

*  A  man  that  was  present  a  few  minuiea  after  he  was  taken,  told  me  that  Millard 
appeared  rational  till  two  Masons  ivhisprred  with  him,  and  tliat  then  he  afTected 
to  be  initane.  Millard  was  not  hung.  I  understood  the  jury  supposed  him  to  have  been 
deranged.  Dr.  D told  me  that  the  foreman  of  the  jury  was  a  royal  arch  Ma- 
son.      *        *        *        * 

t  Elder  B.  was  a  Calvinistic  Baptist  for  many  years.  1  was  informed  that  he  organ- 
ized the  first  Baptist  church  in  Rochester,  N.  Y. ;  aUo,  that  he  had  gathered  lifit^en  oth- 
er churches,  and  baptized  about  eight  hundred  in  that  denomination.  Elder  U.  told  me 
the  following  particulars  concerning  his  change  of  sentiments.  He  asserted  in  a  ser- 
mon, with  much  emphasis,  that '•  All  things  whatsoever  were  for  the  glory  of  God." 
On  the  Sabbath  after,  seeing  two  small  boys,  engaged  in  play,  he  reproved  them  for  vio- 
lating the  Sabbath.  One  of  them  said,  "  Mr.  B.  is  not  this  one  of  the  'a//  t/ihurs^  which 
you  said  last  Sabbath  was  for  the  glory  of  Ood  ?"  This  answer  fVom  the  child,  caused 
him  to  reflect;  and  he  queried,  '  Do  I  preach  a  doctrine  that  strengthens  the  wicked  ?"' 
Then,  af^er  a  strict  examination  of  the  Scriptures,  he  embraced  the  doctrine  of  free 
grace,  IVee-will,  free  communion,  &c.  &c. 


I-' 

b  '    '' 


!   y^ 


'it 


in 


■;,;.;.>i»fc„ 


■  -'Ml 


s»i 


m 


'M 


m 


240 


MCMoiits  or 


his  Christ."  On  the  Sabbath,  Elder  Wire  preached  to  the  crowd- 
ed assembly  with  power.  Many  interesting  reports  of  revivals 
were  then  read,  or  given  verbally. 

Monday  morning,  May  10,  1830,  was  to  me  a  solemn  time.  My 
good  friend,  brother  T.  Beebe,  with  whom  I  had  ever  found  a  home 
from  my  first  coming  to  Canandaigua,  having  sold  his  farm,  re- 
moved this  day  to  Hopewell,  ten  miles  from  this  vicinity.  His 
house  had  been  to  me  like  that  of  a  father,  and  many  and  great 
had  been  the  favors  I  had  received.  The  church  and  the  people 
generally  in  the  vicinity,  felt  their  loss  on  his  removal ;  for  he  and 
his  companion  had  been  a  father  and  mother  in  Zion ;  and  from 
theip  house  the  needy  had  never  been  sent  empty  away.  '  O  may 
their  kindness  be  rewarded,  and  they  "  find  mercy  of  the  Lord  in 
that  day."  ' 

On  this  day,  I  received  a  deed  of  ten  acres  of  land,  for  which 
the  Lord  has  enabled  me  to  pay  a  part ;  and,  if  he  open  the  way, 
I  design  to  build  a  house  thereon  for  my  home.  During  the  four 
days  following  I  preached  with  freedom  in  Hopewell  and  Mace- 
don,  and  twice  in  Walworth.  In  Macedon,  twelve  came  forward 
for  prayer,  and  the  prospect  of  a  revival  seemed  to  be  increasing. 
In  Walworth,  three  or  four  had  been  converted,  and  ten  came  for- 
ward for  prayer. 

On  Saturday  we  attended  the  monthly  meeting  of  the  church  in 
Perinton  and  Penfield.  Nearly  one  hundred  spoke  of  the  dealings 
of  God  with  their  souls,  and  six  were  received  for  baptism.  The 
revival  was  still  progressing.  Elder  Parker  told  me  that  ninety- 
six  had  been  added  to  the  church  within  three  months ;  and  it  was 
judged  that  the  number  of  converts  had  increased  to  two  hundred  ; 
also,  that  among  all  the  denominations  in  Penfield,  it  was  believed 
that  four  hundred  had  been  converted  within  six  months.  On  the 
Sabbath,  May  16,  I  preached  to  the  church  in  North  Penfield. 
Here  also  a  revival  was  spreading,  and  brother  11.  Whitcher  was 
laboring  in  the  work.  Nearly  forty  had  professed  to  be  converted. 
At  4  o'clock,  P.  M.,  we  returned  to  the  south  part  of  the  town, 
where  it  was  thought  one  thousand  people  assembled  in  the  early 
part  of  the  day.  They  had  listened  to  a  sermon  from  Elder  Par- 
ker, and  witnessed  the  baptism  of  the  six  candidates ;  and  the 
greater  part  of  them  remained  while  about  one  hundred  and  twen- 
ty or  thirty  communicants  came  to  the  table  of  the  Loi*d.  When 
we  arrived,  the  assembly  were  seated  or  standing  on  a  green  in  the 
open  air,  and  nearly  all  the  communicants  were  engaged  in  wash- 
ing each  other's  feet.  The  day  was  pleasant,  the  earth  was  array- 
ed in  beautiful  green,  and  the  blossoms  *  sent  forth  a  goodly  smell.' 
We  looked  with  pleasure  on  the  scenery  that  suiTOunded  us,  heard 
the  forest  songsters  praise  their  Creator ;  but  with  rapturous  de- 


m 


DAVID   MARKS. 


241 


rm,  re- 
Y'  His 
i  great 
people 
he  and 
id  from 
'O  may 
"(Ord  in 


light  we  gazed  on  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord,  and  heard  tlie  con- 
verts sing  with  a  melody  that  seemed  to  reach  the  heavens.  Many 
wept,  while  they  saw  the  gay  youth  of  Penfield,  like  their  divine 
Master,  washing  the  saints'  feet.  As  the  scene  closed,  a  respecta- 
ble physician  and  his  wife,  remarked  to  us  with  tears,  that,  though 
they  had  not  believed  in  washing  feet,  it  was  attended  with  as  much 
solemnity  as  the  communion ;  and,  that  when  the  converts  came  to 
this  service,  they  almost  wished  to  engage  with  them.  Some  who 
had  hitherto  spiritualized  the  words  of  Christ,  "  If  I  then,  your 
Lord  and  Master,  have  washed  your  feet,  ye  also  ought  to  wash 
one  another's  feet,"  were  here  convinced  that  the  Lord  mecmt  as 
he  said.  As  the  time  of  my  appointment  at  5  o'clock,  P.  M.,  was 
near,  the  people  concluded  to  stay  without  refreshment ;  and  I  com- 
menced preaching  immediately,  enjoyed  freedom,  and  a  multitude 
were  happy  in  God :  so  was  I.  '  Hallelujah  to  the  Lamb !'  I 
hope  to  sing  his  praise  when  time  shall  be  no  more. 

On  Monday  I  preached  in  Rochester,  and  on  Wednesday  in 
Parma,  from  Gal.  6:7 :  "  Be  not  deceived"  S^.  The  Lord 
gave  me  a  great  discoveiy  of  the  deception  that  is  in  the  world.  It 
appeared  that  all  the  sin  which  has  filled  the  world  with  wo,  and 
drenched  the  earth  with  blood,  has  ccne  through  deception.  All 
the  false  doctrine,  and  unscriptural  practices,  which  corrupt  the 
church,  are  supported  by  deception.  Therefore,  Christians  ought 
to  be  honest  and  sincere ;  free  from  the  works  of  darkness,  that 
cannot  bear  the  light ;  for  if  we  use  deception,  we  act  like  Satan 
the  deceiver.  On  Thursday  we  attended  a  meeting  in  Byron. 
Some  had  lately  been  converted,  and  others  were  almost  persuad- 
ed to  be  Christians. 

Friday,  May  21,  we  attended  the  Bethany  quarterly  meeting 
near  Batavia  village.  A  larger  number  of  brethren  assembled 
than  I  had  ever  seen  west  of  the  Connecticut  river.  A  council 
was  appointed  to  ordain  brother  Whitcher.  Next  morning  at  an 
early  hour,  the  meeting  was  opened  by  the  deaf  and  dumb  brother, 
who  has  been  named,  [p.  39.]  His  inarticulate  sounds— his 
flood  of  tears — and  his  earnest  gestures,  greatly  affected  the  assem- 
bly, and  the  hardest  hearts  appeared  to  feel.  The  exercises  through 
the  day,  and  the  refreshing  reports  of  revivals  and  additions,  were 
very  interesting.  Four  sermons  were  preached  on  the  Sabbath, 
and  much  tenderness  observed  among  the  people.  At  the  close, 
some  came  forward  for  prayer,  and  such  as  were  resolved  to  make 
their  way  from  earth  to  heaven  were  invited  to  n'anifest  it  by  ris- 
ing. More  than  one  thousand  arose — on  which,  the  deaf  and  dumb 
brother  cried  out  in  his  mournful  accents,  and  a  deep  impression 
was  made  on  the  assembly.  During  this  meeting,  we  tarried  at  the 
house  of  brother  Gibbs,  in  Batavia  village.  His  wife  was  lately 
21 


■■-m 


m 


'  f;-'  % 


Vr 

^ 


't^v'Lf 


242 


MEMOIRS    OF 


a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  this  place,  and  much  es- 
teemed by  all.  We  had  understood,  that  she  had  *  relieved  the  af- 
flicted,' and  prayed  at  almost  every  sick  bed  in  the  vicinity,  and 
that  her  faith  and  good  works  were  spoken  of  by  thousands.  She 
was  often,  contrary  to  their  usual  custom,  suffered  to  speak  in  their 
meetings,  and  sometimes  in  their  assembly  on  the  Sabbath.  But, 
to  the  surprise  of  her  brethren,  she  told  them  she  had  been  con- 
vinced by  the  word  and  Spirit  of  the  Lord  God,  that  it  w' as  her 
duty  to  be  baptized.  She  received  a  dismission,  united  with  the 
Free-will  Baptists,  and  was  baptized  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
assembly.  This  person,  I  was  informed,  was  the  first  that  had 
been  immersed  in  this  village,  though  it  had  been  built  forty  years. 
She  told  us  that  for  seven  years  she  had  set  apart  every  Friday, 
to  fast  and  pray  for  the  conversion  of  her  family.  Few  Christians 
are  more  constant  in  prayer  than  this  woman ;  and  since  she  was 
baptized,  her  husband  and  five  or  six  of  her  children  have  been 
hopefully  converted. 

After  the  quarterly  meeting,  I  preached  in  Elba  and  Royalton ; 
then  went  into  Upper  Canada,  attended  a  meeting  at  Stony  Creek, 
and  on  the  Sabbath  preached  in  Oxford.  We  met  an  affectionate 
reception  from  our  friends,  and  the  next  day  held  a  meeting  in  Zorra. 
On  Tuesday  I  preached  in  a  new  settlement  to  forty  or  fifty  peo- 
ple who  were  very  serious,  and  one  requested  prayers.  I  preach- 
ed thrice  in  Oxford ;  and  on  Sabbath  morning,  June  6,  started  with 
Elder  Harris  and  another  brother,  for  Norwich.  After  passing 
eighteen  miles,  of  which  eight  miles  were  in  a  foot-path,  through  a 
forest,  we  reached  the  place  at  10  o'clock.  Being  wet  and  fatigued, 
I  thought  I  should  not  speak  much  over  half  an  hour ;  but  the 
vSpirit  rested  on  the  assembly,  and  I  spoke  an  hour  and  a  half.  In 
the  aflernoon,  we  walked  eight  miles  to  the  lower  part  of  the  town ; 
the  way  being  difficult,  we  arrived  an  hour  past  the  time.  The 
meeting  was  large  and  powerful.  Two  or  three  backsliders  con- 
fessed, and  some  desired  prayer.  Monday,  we  passed  through  a 
ten  mile  wood,  returned  to  Oxford,  and  held  a  meeting.  Next  day 
I  preached  in  Nissouri  with  considerable  freedom.  Wednesday  I 
started  with  Elder  Harris  and  others,  for  the  annual  conference  of 
the  Free  Communion  Baptists. 

Friday,  June  11,  the  annual  conference  commenced  in  this  town. 
Brother  Straight  and  myself  had  been  appointed  by  the  Holland 
Purchase  yearly  meeting  to  attend  this  conference  and  labor  for  a 
union.  The  subject  was  introduced,  and  dismissed,  without  any 
new  decision.  After  the  meeting  of  business,  I  preached  with 
some  freedom.  Saturday  morning,  a  sermon  was  preached  by  El- 
der Harris :  and  in  the  afternoon,  their  covenant  and  articles  of 
-faith  were  read.     A  woman  under  conviction,  who  had  walked 


DAVID    MARKS. 


243 


luch  es- 
l  the  af- 
ity,  and 
3.  She 
in  their 
1.  But, 
len  con- 
was  her 
srith  the 
a  large 
that  hail 
y  years. 
Friday, 
tiristians 
she  was 
ive  been 

oyalton ; 
r  Creek, 
ctionate 
n  Zorra. 
ifty  peo- 
preach- 
ted  with 
:  passing 
irough  a 
'atigued, 
but  the 
lalf.  In 
le  town ; 
The 
ers  con- 
rough  a 
[ext  day 
esday  I 
rence  of 

lis  town. 
Holland 
)or  for  a 
out  any 
ed  with 
d  by  El- 
'ticles  of 
walked 


more  than  twenty  miles  to  this  meeting,  was  relieved  of  her  bur- 
den, and  rejoiced  in  the  Lord.  In  the  evening  I  preached  in  Dun- 
wich.  Several  converts  and  females  were  present,  who  had  walk- 
ed thirty  miles.  I  have  often  been  affected  at  the  pains  the  poor 
people  in  Canada  take  to  attend  meetings,  and  at  their  gladness  to 
hear  the  word  of  the  Lord.  On  the  Sabbath  two  sermons  were 
delivered,  and  the  communion  administered.  Sabbath  evening, 
with  the  Free-will  Baptist  church  in  the  east  part  of  Southwold, 
I  enjoyed  a  blessed  season,  which  contiimed  till  midnight. 

Monday,  I  preached  at  St.  Thomas,  and  felt  the  power  of  the 
Lord.  Tuesday  we  went  to  London,  where  I  preached  with  free- 
dom. The  state  of  our  churches  in  Canada  was  nearly  the  same  as  a 
year  before.  A  few  had  been  added  in  London.  Brother  Huck- 
ins  appeared  humble  and  engaged.  He  had  gathered  a  small 
church  in  a  place  called  Long  Woods,  which  was  enjoying  a  revi- 
val. 

I  held  meetings  again  in  Zorra,  Nissouri,  and  Oxford  ;  and  on 
Thursday,  June  24,  we  bade  our  relatives  farewell,  and  returning 
to  New  York,  attended  a  few  meetings  by  the  way.  July  2,  we 
arrived  at  North  Penfield.  Several  had  been  converted  since  our 
last  visit,  and  eighteen  added  to  the  church.  We  attended  the  On- 
tario quarterly  meeting,  held  the  3d  and  4th.  On  the  Sabbath, 
during  a  discourse,  the  power  of  the  Lord  fell  on  a  proud  young 
man,  who  had  been  appointed  to  manage  a  ball  the  next  day.  He 
became  much  distressed,  went  a  little  distance  from  the  assembly 
into  the  wood,  and  cried  aloud  for  mercy.  He  found  comfort  soon 
after,  and  was  baptized.  After  returning  to  Canandaigua,  we  held 
four  meetings,  and  then  started  for  the  south.  Between  the  12th 
and  18th  of  July,  I  preached  in  Jerusalem,  in  Benton,  four  time 
in  Milo,  and  once  in  Barrington.  Some  of  these  meetings  were 
blessed ;  and  at  the  latter,  I  rejoiced  to  find  a  revival. 

Sabbath,  July  18,  I  preached  twice  in  Catlin;  and  Elder  Stid, 
who  attended  with  me,  baptized  six.  Here  the  wilderness  had  be- 
come a  '  fruitful  field ;'  in  a  short  time  many  had  been  converted, 
and  more  than  fifty  baptized  and  added  to  the  church.  Monday 
and  Tuesday,  I  preachad  in  Jersey  and  at  Mount  Washington,  and 
enjoyed  solemn  seasons.  For  several  days  I  had  been  indisposed, 
and  on  Wednesday  was  able  to  ride  only  to  Poultney,  where  I  was 
confined  till  the  next  Sabbath.  We  were  mostly  at  the  house  of 
Dr.  Dean,  whose  skilful  services,  at  this  and  several  other  times, 
were  rendered  gratis.  In  consequence  of  this  illness,  I  disap- 
pointed sixteen  congi'egations,  four  of  which  were  supplied  by  a 
preacher,  whom  I  engaged  to  attend  in  my  stead. 

Sabbath,  July  25,  I  preached  twice  in  Poultney,  and  on  Tuesday 
arrived  at  Canandaigua.     Being  still  unwell,  I  stopped  five  or  six 


I    '5 


« 


244 


MEMOIRS    OF 


days,  held  three  or  four  meetings,  and  baptized  one .  In  the  next 
week,  I  attended  the  Benton  quarterly  meeting,  at  West  River  in 
Middlesex.  The  reports  of  the  churches  were  interesting.  Tues- 
day, Aug.  10,  we  left  Canandaigua,  and  in  four  days  held  meeting.'^ 
in  Bristol,  Richmond,  and  Slieldon,  and  visited  my  brother  Ives, 
in  Hamburg.  lie  accompanied  us  to  Boston,  N.  Y.  where  we 
spent  the  Sabbath  and  held  two  meetings.  My  brother  here  in- 
formed us  that  he  had  obtained  a  hope  in  Christ,  and  publicly  con- 
fessed it  for  the  first  time.  He  was  an  apprentice,  separated  from 
his  acquaintance,  and  suffered  almost  constantly  from  a  lameness  ; 
yet  he  appeared  resigned,  and  said  he  was  happy  in  saying,  "  T/it/ 
will  he  done."  On  our  arrival  at  Batavia,  we  met  Eldei*s  Brown, 
Jenkins,  and  Straight,  with  an  assembly  coming  out  of  the  court 
house,  where  they  had  just  organized  a  church  of  eleven  members. 
A  revival  was  progi*essing  under  the  labors  of  brother  Straight, 
which,  we  understood,  was  the  first  that  had  ever  been  in  this  vil- 
lage. After  an  hour's  notice,  about  two  hundred  assembled  in  the 
court  house,  to  whom  I  spoke  with  much  freedom.  I  next  held 
meetings  in  Bethany  and  Middlebury,  which  were  solemn  and  im- 
pressive. At  the  latter  place,  I  have  since  understood,  a  revival 
followed.  July  21 — 23,  we  attended  the  Bethany  quarterly  meet- 
ing at  Groveland.  The  exercises  were  spiritual,  and  some  came 
forward  for  prayers. 

Friday,  Aug.  27,  1830,  we  attended  the  Holland  Purchase  year- 
ly meeting  at  Clarkson.  The  reports  from  the  quarterly  meetings 
were  unusually  interesting.  The  general  state  of  engagedness  ap- 
peared to  have  greatly  increased,  and  a  time  of  such  revival  had 
never  before  been  enjoyed.  At  this  time  the  Allegany  quarterly 
meeting  was  received : — and  it  appeared  that  within  the  year  past, 
the  number  of  members  in  the  yearly  meeting  had  increased  near- 
ly one  quarter.  Saturday,  four  discourses  were  delivered  ;  on  the 
Sabbath  the  assembly  was  lai'ge,  and  eighteen  ordained  ministers 
were  present.  Three  excellent  sermons  were  preached,  which  were 
followed  by  weighty  and  spiritual  exhortations.  One  of  these  was 
from  Elder  R.  Carey.  He  had  been  ill  for  years,  yet  he  had  come 
seventy-five  miles,  by  short  stages,  to  attend  tliis  meeting.  A  little 
son  of  his  came  to  take  care  of  him ;  and  late  in  the  afternoon, 
which  was  as  soon  as  he  was  able,  some  brethren  helped  him  as- 
cend the  stand,  and  being  seated,  he  addressed  the  people.  Ev- 
ery eye  was  fixed  on  his  pale  face,  and  every  ear  attentive  to  his 
voice.  Several  dropped  a  tear  at  his  feeble  appearance,  and  our 
sympathy  was  increased  by  the  reflection,  that  his  abundant  labors 
to  win  souls  to  Christ,  had  increased  his  infirmities,  and  compelled 
him  to  retire  from  the  gospel  field.  His  words  were  few  and 
weighty ;  and  on  leaving  the  stand,  he  wept — ^as  though  conscious 


DAVID    MARKS. 


245 


the  next 

River  in 
;.  Tues- 
meetings 
ler  Ives, 
here  we 

here  in- 
licly  con- 
kted  from 
imeness ; 
ig,  "  Thy 
s  Brown, 
he  court 
nembers. 
Straight, 

this  vil- 
ed  in  the 
lext  held 

and  im- 

revival 

rlj  meet- 

ne  came 

ase  year- 
meetings 
iness  ap- 
ival  had 
quarterly 
ear  past, 
sed  near- 
l ;  on  the 
ministers 
lich  were 
hese  wa.s 
lad  come 
A  little 
fternoon, 
him  as- 
le.  Ev- 
e  to  his 
and  our 
nt labors 
ompelled 
few  and 
ionscious 


he  might  no  more  meet  his  brethren  in  yearly  meeting.  Many 
were  much  affected.  The  subject  of  Masonry  was  again  introduc- 
ed ;  and  a  resolve  passed,  I  think  in  the  following  words :  "  Agreed, 
that,  if  anything  can  be  proved  by  human  testimony,  it  is  abun- 
dantly manifest  that  the  institution  of  Free  Masonry  is  wicked  in 
the  extreme  ;  and  we  do  most  earnestly  entreat  all  our  brethren  to 
renounce  their  masonic  obligations ;  and  have  nothing  to  do  with 
that  system." 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

My  Fifth  Journey  to  New  England. 

Having  been  appointed  a  delegate  to  the  General  Conference, 
which  was  to  meet  the  ensuing  Oct.  in  R.  I.,  I  made  arrangements 
to  spend  the  winter  in  New  England.  Monday,  Sept.  6,  we  cC'm- 
raenced  our  journey,  and  during  the  week  travelled  one  hundred 
and  forty  miles,  and  attended  meetings  in  Tyre  and  Fabius.  In 
consequence  of  illness  I  failed  of  three  other  appointments.  Sat- 
ui*day  and  Sabbath,  we  attended  the  first  session  of  the  Norwich 
quarterly  meeting  at  New  Berlin.  Two  years  and  a  half  previous, 
Elder  Adon  Aldrich  came  to  this  tOAvn  and  gathered  the  first  Free- 
will Baptist  church  in  these  parts.  The  quarterly  meeting  con- 
tained three  churches,  about  one  hundred  and  twelve  members, 
two  elders,  and  three  unordained  preachers.  During  the  meeting,  I 
gave  three  discourses ;  the  brethren  were  engaged,  and  conviction 
reached  the  hearts  of  sinners.  Saturday,  Sept.  18,  we  arrived  at 
Arlington,  Vermont,  the  native  town  of  my  companion,  and  met  a 
kind  reception  from  our  relatives.  "We  attended  worship  with  the 
Episcopalian  church  on  the  Sabbath,  and  Mr.  Perkins,  their  pas- 
tor, invited  me  to  preach  in  the  afternoon.  The  invitation  was 
unexpected,  but  accepted  with  pleasure. 

Mon.  Sept.  27,  we  resumed  our  journey,  and  Oct.  1st  arrived  at 
Burlington,  Conn.,  where  we  were  kindly  welcomed  by  my  uncle 
Marks  and  family.  Six  years  before,  I  had  a  sweet  interview  with 
my  grandfather  Marks,  but  now  his  place  was  empty.  He  died  of 
apoplexy  five  years  since.  I  attended  three  meetings  in  Burling- 
ton; and  the  week  following  we  visited  relatives  in  Newtown, 
Danbury,  New-Milford,  and  Southington.  In  Southington  we 
passed  the  house  where  my  mother's  parents  once  resided,  and 
where  I  spent  months  of  my  childhood  j  but  nearly  all  the  former 
21* 


'%31 


■,,.1l 


.-  ■■*,-; 


24G 


MEMOIKS    OF 


:,:i  ! 


inhabitants  were  dead,  and  strangers  dwelt  in  their  place.  O  time, 
what  changes  dost  thou  make  1  Saturday,  we  visited  my  aunt 
Graves  in  Middletown.  But  O  what  a  cluuige  in  this  family  since 
my  former  visit !  Elder  Graves  and  two  of  his  daughters  had 
fallen  by  the  spotted  fever.  Next  day,  we  attended  meeting  with 
the  Calvinistic  Baptists.  Being  invited,  I  spoke  to  the  people  in 
the  afternoon,  and  felt  the  doctrine  of  the  Lord  distil  upon  me 
'  like  the  dew.'  I  understood  the  church  of  which  Elder  Graves 
had  the  care  severely  felt  the  loss  of  their  pastor,  and  were  in  a 
low  state ;  but  as  the  time  of  Conference  was  near,  I  could  not  visit 
them. 

Monday  morning,  my  aunt  accompanied  us  a  little  distance  to 
the  grave-yard,  where  Elder  Graves,  his  parents,  his  two  daugh- 
ters, and  a  young  man  engaged  to  one  of  them  in  marriage,  all  lay 
side  by  side.  At  the  head  of  each  was  a  large  white  marble  slab 
with  appropriate  inscriptions.  Aunt  remarked,  that  this  lonely 
spot  seemed  more  like  home,  than  her  empty  habitation.  Thus 
"  man  lieth  down,  and  riseth  not :  till  the  heavens  be  ?io  more, 
they  shall  not  awake,  no?'  be  raised  out  of  their  sleej).''  Never 
did  I  feel  a  deeper  sense  of  man's  mortality,  than  at  this  time.  0 
what  is  man  ?  "  He  cometli  forth  like  a  flower — he  fleeth  also  as 
a  shadow."  In  two  days,  we  arrived  at  Greenville  in  Sraithfield, 
Rhode-Island ;  and  rejoiced  to  meet  with  many  dear  brethren,  par- 
ticularly Elder  E.  Place,  whose  labors  had  been  a  blessing  to  us  at 
the  last  Conference. 

Thursday,  Oct.  14,  1830,  the  General  Conference  commenced  at 
9  o'clock,  A.  M.  The  meeting  of  business  continued  till  Saturday 
evening.  In  general,  much  unanimity  prevailed,  and  our  hearts 
were  so  united  by  love,  that  we  could  say,  as  did  two  disciples  on 
another  occasion,  "  Did  not  our  heart  burn  within  us  ?"  At  this 
Conference,  from  the  reports  received,  there  appeared  to  be  in  the 
denomination,  seven  yearly  meetings,  thirty  quarterly  meetings, 
four  hundred  and  thirty-six  churches,  and  three  hundred  and  ten 
ordained  preachers.  Probably  some  of  these  numbers  fall  short  of 
a  correct  enumeration. 

Messengers  were  present  from  every  part  of  the  connexion,  ex- 
cept Ohio  yearly  meeting,  from  which  a  refreshing  letter  was  re- 
ceived. During  the  sitting  of  Conference,  meetings  of  worsliip 
were  held  at  the  meeting-house,  except  on  the  forenoon  of  Thurs- 
day and  Fri<lay.  Sabbath  morning,  about  two  thousand  people 
assembled,  and,  unexpectedly,  I  was  informed  that  the  preachers 
thought  it  would  be  my  duty  to  preach.  I  had  no  paiticular  sub- 
ject on  my  mind,  and  wished  some  other  one  to  go  forward ;  but 
all  declined.  A  sense  of  the  importance  of  this  hour — the  respon- 
sibility of  the  speaker,  and  the  reflection  that  the  aged  and  the 


DAVID   MARKS. 


247 


ex- 


lejirned  were  present,  and  that  I  was  but  a  youth,  made  my  spirit 
sink  within  me,  and  it  seemed  as  tliough  1  was  less  than  the  "  dust 
of  the  balance."     But,  as  Erskine  says, 

"lie  ciiU  me  duwn  to  build  me  up, 
He  emptier  iiie  lu  fill  my  cup." 

Second  Tim.  3:16,  occurred  to  my  mind  with  some  degree  of  light. 
I  thought  it  a  suitable  text  for  the  occasion,  and  concluded  to  sjjeak 
fVom  it.  But  while  the  messengers  were  giving  a  summary  of  the 
revivals  reported  from  different  parts  of  the  connexion,  my  text 
went  from  me,  and  I  could  not  recollect  it.  The  time  for  speaking 
drew  near — I  was  empty  and  confused — I  cried  to  the  Lord  for 
help  ;  and  just  before  I  arose,  the  text  was  brought  to  my  remem- 
brance :  "  All  scripture  is  given  by  i)ispiration  of  God,  and  is 
Ijii'ofitahle  for  doctriney  My  mind  was  composed,  the  subject 
opened  with  unexpected  clearness,  and  after  some  introduction,  I 
proposed — 

I.  To  present  some  of  the  many  arguments  that  establish  the 
divine  authenticity  of  the  Scriptures. 

II.  To  show  what  doctrine  the  Scriptures  teach. 

On  the  first  division,  I  argued  the  authenticity  of  the  Scriptures. 
1.  From  the  prophecies  and  their  fulfilment.  2.  From  the  mira- 
cles— whose  authenticity  is  supported  by  a  greater  weight  of  testi- 
mony than  any  other  facts  of  equal  antiquity.  3.  From  their  in- 
ternal evidences,  and  agreement  with  general  history.  4.  From 
their  unparalleled  number  of  martyrs,  considering  the  varied  char- 
acter, circumstances,  and  manner,  in  which  they  have  suffered. 

On  the  second  proposition,  I  spoke,  1.  Of  God,  his  unity,  and 
attributes.  2.  Of  the  creation  of  man  in  purity,  and  in  the  image 
of  God.  3.  Of  the  accountability  of  man,  and  the  law  under  which 
he  is  placed.  4.  Of  the  transgression  of  Adam,  his  fall,  and  its 
effect  on  his  posterity.  5.  Of  the  atonement  made  by  Christ. 
6.  Of  regeneration.  7.  Of  the  church  of  Christ.  8.  Of  its  disci- 
pline and  government.  9.  Of  its  ordinances.  10.  Of  persever- 
ance. 11.  Of  the  general  judgment.  12.  Of  the  final  destinies  of 
all  men. 

It  pleased  the  Lord  to  give  me  unusual  freedom,  and  I  spoke 
nearly  two  hours.  The  Holy  Spirit  moved  on  the  people,  and 
much  of  the  time  many  wept.  Several  became  resolved  to  seek 
the  Lord.  Among  these  was  a  merchant  at  Greenville,  who  had 
hitherto  trusted  in  morality  for  salvation ;  and  a  school  teacher 
who  had  taken  refuge  in  atheism.  In  the  intermission,  I  felt 
exceedingly  humbled  for  my  unprofitableness,  and  gi*oaned  in 
spirit,  fearing  that  I  had  occupied  a  place  that  might  have  been 
filled  more  profitably  by  another.,  In  the  afternoon,  the  meeting 
house  and  academy  were  filled  to  overflowing.    We  attended  at  the 


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If  f 

■    % 

m 

\        ; ' 

^m 

^  '  ' 

wk 

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fpi 

<                 r       " 

V- 

1                   f 

1  ilbj^flSi 

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^i 


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248 


MEMOIRS   OP 


■:t  •"  1 


latter  place,  where  Elder  Place  preaclietl  a  pathetic  discourse,  from 
Luke  2:14  :  "  Glori/  to  God  in  the  hiffhest"  &c.  He  appeared  to 
be  full  of  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord.  While  he  waa  praying  for  me, 
one  expression  affected  me  much : — "  O  Lord,  he  has  rode  on  the 
King's  beast,  and  worn  the  Kitig's  apparel — now  may  he  sit  down, 
like  Mordecai,  in  the  King's  gate,  and  remember  that  he  is  but  a 
man." 

Sabbath  evening,  I  spoke  with  freedom  to  about  five  hundred 
people,  in  the  vestry  of  Elder  Tobey's  meeting  house  at  Provi- 
dence, and  they  heard  attentively.  On  Tuesday,  I  preached  in 
Burrillville  and  Blackstone.  At  the  latter  place,  a  revival  had 
lately  commenced.  Several  kneeled,  while  prayers  were  offered 
for  their  salvation.  Next  day,  I  preached  in  North  Providence  ; 
and  the  day  following  assisted  in  preparing  for  publication,  the 
Minutes  of  the  four  sessions  of  the  Freewill  IJaptist  General  Con- 
ference. "We  did  this  by  the  appointment  of  the  Conference ;  and 
in  the  week  following,  I  published  them  in  a  pamphlet  of  twenty- 
four  pages.  This  is  the  first  work  of  the  kind  published  in  the 
connexion,  and  is  an  interesting  article  to  those  who  wish  to  become 
acquainted  with  the  denomination.  It  is  not  designed  as  a  disci- 
pline, but  simply  to  show  what  we  believe  is  taught  and  required 
in  the  lato  of  Christ.  I  preached  in  Cranston,  on  "  tlie  fulness  of 
times  ;"  and,  through  grace,  my  soul  was  full  of  comfort.  O  that 
I  were  as  thankful  as  I  ought  to  be.  On  Friday,  I  preached  in 
Johnston  and  Greenville.  At  the  former  meeting,  some  appeared 
seriously  impressed  ;  and  at  the  latter,  several  came  forward  for 
prayer.  Reformation  now  began  to  be  visible  in  Greenville.  Of 
the  four  sessions  of  the  General  Conference,  revivals  have  followed 
three.  Saturday  evening,  and  Sabbath,  Oct.  24,  I  preached  four 
times  in  Pawtucket,  and  enjoyed  liberty.  The  assemblies  increas- 
ed ;  and  at  the  last  meeting,  the  people  could  hardly  be  convened 
in  the  house.  The  word  was  blessed  to  some,  one  of  whom  I  un- 
derstood was  soon  converted.  • 

On  Monday,  Oct.  25,  I  had  designed  to  start  for  Maine,  where  I 
had  sent  appointments.  But  Elder  Tobey  having  strongly  solici- 
ted us  to  spend  a  week  in  Providence,  they  had  been  withdrawn, 
and  we  accepted  the  invitation,  making  his  house  our  home.  I 
preached  in  the  evening  at  the  house  of  Elder  Allen  Brown.  Three 
or  four  preachers  were  present,  the  governor's  wife  and  daughter, 
and  several  of  the  liigher  class.  Yet  the  Lord  hid  the  "  fear  of 
man"  from  me,  and  enabled  me  to  speak  with  much  boldness. 
Wednesday  evening,  I  spoke  with  freedom  to  about  two  hundred 
people,  in  the  west  part  of  the  town ;  and  on  the  next  evening, 
again  at  the  A^estry,  which  was  filled.  Friday,  I  attended  a  meet- 
ing in  Greenville.     A  few  had  found  peace,  and  fifteen  came  for- 


I  ?1 


DAVID    HARKS. 


249 


0,  from 

ared  to 

Tor  mo, 

on  the 

down. 

but  ji 


ward  for  prayer.  The  day  following,  on  our  way  to  Olncyville, 
while  reading  the  manner  in  which  the  Indians  had  been  ^  rooted 
out"  of  their  "  good  land,"  and  reduced  to  a  handiul,  I  was  led  to 
reflect  on  the  iniquity  that  has  polluted  the  earth,  and  the  misery 
that  has  made  "  the  whole  creation"  groan  and  travail  "  in  pain  to- 
gether until  now."  Such  was  the  scene  of  madness,  folly,  »nd  sin, 
now  presented  to  my  view,  that  I  wept  for  miles — My  heiu't  was 
filled  with  pain,  and  I  said,  "  O  that  my  head  were  waters,  and 
mine  eyes  a  fountain  of  tears,  that  I  might  weep  day  and  night  for" 
a  ruined  world.  On  our  arrival  at  Olneyville,  I  told  Elder  Che- 
ney my  feelings ;  and,  as  I  had  an  appointment  at  his  meeting 
house,  he  gave  me  this  text,  "  We  know  that  we  are  of  God,  and 
the  whole  world  lieth  in  wickedness"  I  preached  from  it,  and  had 
a  solemn  time.  Next  morning,  the  house  was  filled,  and  I  spoke 
again  with  freedom.  In  the  afternoon,  I  preached  on  the  atone- 
ment, at  Elder  Tobey's  meeting  house  in  Providence  ;  and  in  the 
evening,  to  about  one  thousand  people  in  the  same  place,  on  the 
subject  of  faith.  The  Lord  assisted  me,  blessed  be  his  name.  Dur- 
ing our  stay  in  Providence,  Elder  Tobey  showed  us  many  favors, 
and  through  his  influence  I  received  a  present  of  a  cloak. 

We  had  now  been  in  R.  I.  seventeen  days,  and  had  constantly 
met  with  unexpected  kindness.  I  had  been  unable  to  comply  with 
one  half  of  the  earnest  solicitations  for  preaching ;  and  the  entrea- 
ties of  many,  especially  in  Smithfield,  that  I  should  return,  after 
meeting  my  engagements  in  Maine,  influenced  me  to  abandon  my 
intention  of  spending  the  fall  in  that  state,  and  to  leave  appoint- 
ments for  my  immediate  return.  Monday,  Nov.  1,  we  started  in 
company  with  Elder  A.  Rollins  and  wife  for  Maine.  In  the  even- 
ing, I  preached  in  Boston,  Mass.,  and  the  next  evening  at  Haver- 
hill, on  the  Merrimack.  Here  I  was  filled  with  the  love  of  God. 
Wednesday  evening,  I  preached  at  Dover,  N.  H.,  and  the  next  day 
visited  the  different  rooms  of  the  calico  manufactory,  a  building  of 
six  stories.  While  examining  the  machinery,  I  remembered  the 
scripture,  "  Man  hath  sought  out  many  inventions  ;"  and,  thought  I, 
'  If  men  were  half  as  wise  in  the  care  of  their  souls,  iis  they  are 
anxious  in  their  care  for  the  body,  the  world  would  be  happy.' 
Nov.  6, 1  preached  m  Pai'sonsfield,  Me.,  and  on  the  Sabbath,  spoke 
with  usual  freedom  to  a  crowded  assembly  at  Limerick  corner.  I 
attended  two  meetings  on  Monday,  and  the  next  morning  started 
for  R.  I.  In  the  evening,  I  met  about  eight  hundred  people  in  the 
Methodist  chapel  at  Somersworth,  N.  H. 

Thursday,  Nov.  11,  we  continued  our  journey,  and  on  Saturday 
arrived  at  Pawtucket,  much  fatigued.  In  the  evening  I  preached 
in  this  place,  and  on  the  Sabbath  spoke  in  much  weakness  at  Prov- 
idence, North  Pi-ovidence,  and  Greenville.     In  the  latter,  I  enjoy- 


i 


;  I  "■: 


'4m 


hiM. 


\ 


250 


MEMOIRS    OP 


ed  a  "^ood  seanon. 


AfkT  the  incctiii}^,  I  was  sick,  and  went  out  lit- 


'J 


'  ill 

ill 


tic  till  the  next  Tu(!.s<lay.  During  our  absence,  the  number  of  the 
anxious  had  inereaseil,  and  a  tew  were  brouj^lit  into  liberty. 
Ainon;^  these,  were  tin-  jncrchant  and  atln'ist  named  before.  The 
former,  I  und(irstood,  on  liearin;,'  that  his  wife  was  converted,  wept 
aloud  for  two  hours,  and  praytid  for  mercy  ;  and  in  a  meeting;  short- 
ly aft<>r  he  said,  '  I  had  built  what  I  thought  a  fine  fabric — and 
trusted  in  morality.  IJut  I  thaidi  (rod  that  he  has  thrown  it  hII 
down.'  This  seemed  to  overthrow  a  refuge  of  the  wicked,  w  ho  had 
often  pointeil  to  Mr.  A.,  saying,  '  Show  us  a  Christian  that  is  more 
upright.'  During  the  week,  I  preached  in  Scituate,  Greenville, 
twice  in  Gloucester,  and  enjoyed  usual  freedom. 

On  the  Sabbath,  the  meeting  house  at  Greenville  was  fdled  with 
people,  and  I  spoke  on  bn[)tism.  Afh.'r  this,  Elder  Alh^n,  pastor  of 
the  church,  baptized  four.  I  gave  a  discourse  in  the  afternoon  on 
communion.  In  the  evening  we  attended  a  conference ;  saints 
were  edified,  and  some  mourners  arose  for  prayer.  Nov.  25,  I  met 
about  four  hundred  people  at  the  second  Baptist  church  in  Provi- 
dence, and  the  day  following,  preaclied  at  Sprague's  mannfactory 
in  Smithfield ;  two  were  deeply  exercised  and  kneeled  in  the  time 
of  prayer  ;  one  of  these,  I  understood,  found  peace  the  next  day. 

Sabbath,  Nov.  28,  I  preached  three  times  in  Chepachet  with 
considerable  freedom  ;  and  at  the  close  of  the  third  sermon,  I  had 
such  a  sense  of  the  state  of  the  wicked,  that  I  could  not  refrain 
from  weeping  aloud.  During  this  week  I  held  meetings  in  Burrill- 
ville,  Smithfield,  Scituate,  and  attended  a  conference  at  Greenville. 
The  revival  continued  moderately.  Sabbath  forenoon,  while  speak- 
ing from  Eccl.  12:1 4,  I  remarked  that  secrecy  is  a  sign  of  iniquity  ; 
and  that  Christians  should  be  open  in  their  conduct ;  and  quoted 
several  scriptures  against  "  the  works  of  darkness."  In  the  after- 
noon, we  heard  Elder  William  Hurley,  a  minister  of  the  General 
BaptistvS,  from  England.*  He  preached  an  excellent  discourse 
from  Luke  13:24:  "  Strive  to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate,"  &c.  In 
the  evening  I  preached  near  Smithfield,  and  had  a  very  interesting 
time ;  several  spoke,  and  six  covenanted  to  seek  the  Lord.  The 
next  morning,  a  man  asked  me  who  I  meant  in  my  sermon,  yester- 
day, when  I  said,  "  It  is  a  shame  to  speak  of  those  things  that  are 
done  of  them  in  secret."  I  told  him  th;it  the  saying  was  borrowed 
from  the  Bible,  and  that  I  meant  all  who  do  in  secret  that  of  which 
they  are  ashamed.  "  But,"  said  he,  "  did  you  not  mean  masons  ?" 
I  said  if  masons  do  in  secret  those  things  of  which  it  is  a  shame  to 

*  There  are  several  sects  of  the  General  Baptists  in  England.  One  of  these  is  nearly 
the  same  in  sentiment  as  the  Freewill  Baptists  In  America;  and  an  interesting  corres- 
pondence has  existed  between  them  and  our  denomination  for  about  four  years.  Elder 
Hurley  is  a  member  of  the  coune.\ion  that  corre8i>onds  with  us. 


.    ^^-^ 


,9" 


is  nearly 
ig  corres- 
Eldtr 


DAVID    MARKS. 


2A1 


Qpouk,  I  did.  "Well,  well,"  nuid  Ih;,  "you  hnd  bottor  mind  how 
you  britip  up  \\  r«!sp«'ctal)lt'  body  of  men  in  public  whon^  thtiy  liuve 
not  a  clmni't!  toan.swor  for  tlicmscdvcs.  I  tliou^lit  I  should  come  to 
hoar  you  preach  in  the  eveninf» ;  but  after  hearing  tliose  reniarku, 
I  conchi(h'd  that  I  wouM  not."  lie  then  left  nic  abruptly.  Tues- 
day, I  ujet  three  ministers  at  (JrciMiville,  to  ordain  Kthan  Thorn- 
ton, a  lu'other  of  EMer  A.  Thornton,  deceased,  to  tin*  olHce  of  a 
deacon.  liy  his  recjuest,  I  preaclied  on  the  occa^sion,  and  felt  }»n'at- 
ly  irnpr(!ssed  with  tin?  importance  of  the  duties  (»f  this  sacred  office. 
Next  day,  I  had  a  meeting;  at  (rloucester,  and  one  who  had  cove- 
nanted with  nic  to  seek  the  Lord,  gave  evidence  of  having  foun<l 
JesuH. 

Thursday,  Dec.  0,  T  attiMided  a  meeting  at  the  meeting  house  in 
fireenville,  which  was  designed  to  expose  the  iniquity  of  Free  Ma- 
sonry. Kldcr declining  an  invitation  to  make  the  introduc- 
tory prayer,  the  request  was  addressed  tome.  And  as  the  v<»ice  of 
ins[)iration  says,  "  1  will  that  men  pray  every  where,"  I  acc«'pte<l 
the  invitation.  After  this,  we  h«>ard  a  very  candid  and  able  din- 
course  on  the  subject,  from  Mr.  Moses  Thatcher,  a  Congregational- 
ist  minister.  Then  an  aged  and  venerable  Quaker,  who  had  been 
a  mason,  testified,  that  the  discilosures  relative  to  Free  Mjisonry 
were  correct,  as  far  as  he  bad  taken  the  degrees.  I  had  said  noth- 
ing on  the  subject,  in  any  public  meeting  in  New-England,  and 
had  intended  to  be  silent  in  this  meeting;  but  now  a  trembling 
seized  me,  and  I  felt  impressed,  I  believed,  by  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord,  to  state  some  facts  with  which  I  had  been  acquainted,  con- 
nected witli  the  abduction  of  Morgan.  For  I  had  found,  to  my 
surprise,  that  such  had  been  the  power  of  the  deception  used  by  the 
fraternity,  that  very  many  supposed  that  Morgan  had  never  been 
taken  away  by  masons ;  or  if  he  had,  that  it  was  only  done  by  a 
few,  and  the  deed  was  disapproved  by  the  institution,  &c.  I  was 
acquainted  with  facts  which  were  weighty  on  the  subject ;  and  I 
believed  I  should  be  condemned  by  God,  if  I  now  withheld  these 
things  from  the  people.  I  also  knew  there  were  serious  persons  in 
the  multitude  present,  to  whom  the  silence  of  Christians  respecting 
this  evil  was  a  great  "  stumbling  block."  Therefore,  lest  I  should 
be  guilty  of  the  blood  of  souls,  I  stated  some  facts,  gave  my  testi- 
mony against  the  institution,  made  an  apology  for  those  that  had 
been  taken  in  the  snare,  entreating  the  people  to  deal  tenderly  with 
them,  and  warned  sinners  to  be  cautious,  lest  this  subject  should 
take  their  attention  from  their  eternal  interests.  I  spoke  about  fif- 
teen minutes.  Most  of  the  assembly  wept,  and  after  meeting,  some 
to  whom  this  subject  had  been  a  trial,  manifested  seriousness  for  the 
first  time,  and  with  tears  asked  me  to  pray  for  them.  From  this 
time,  however,  the  countenance  and  conduct  of  those  that  w(3re  in 


■(;        


'Mm 


j{f;%;:J^ 


252 


MEMOIRS    OF 


'• 


f 


heart  attached  to  the  institution  were  materially  changed — some 
that  had  appeared  to  be  my  friends  turned  against  me — and  letters, 
unfriendly,  cruel,  and  shmderons,  were  sent  before  me  to  Maine, 
apparently  to  hedge  up  my  way.*  This  was  unexpected  opposi- 
tion, and  such  as  I  had  never  before  met  from  *  *  ♦  »  » 
My  heart  was  filled  with  mourning,  and  I  wept  day  and  night.  I 
little  thought,  when  I  came  to  visit  my  dear  brethren  in  the  eaj?!, 
that  for  the  conscientious  discharge  of  my  duty,  I  should  have  to 


*  The  t'ollowiiig  is  »  copy  of  one  of  lhe«e  let'ern  signed  by  the  pnstnr  of  North  Provi- 
dence churc)i.  Another  was  nil  Hnonymons  comniunicatiun  from  which  h  few  extrutts 
are  tuken.  Tliese  are  here  introduced  by  the  advice  of  some  Judicious  frieiidn  who 
thoiisht  flieir  inneition  wtmld  exemplify  the  spirit  of  Mnsonry,  and  that  the  recent  revi- 
val of  thi»*order  demands  that  light  on  this  Hubject  should  be  thrown  before  the  public 
mind. 

"  North  Providence,  Dec.  20,  1830. 

Brother  Btirbank,  [Editor  of  Morning  Star:\ 

Rider  Marks  has  not  left  this  section  yet.  His  Inst  visit  has  been  a  cause  of  grief  to 
most  of  us,  and  we  have  no  doubt  he  came  back  on  purpose  to  blow  the  coals  of  Anti- 
Masonry.  Hofor  some  time  did  it  secretly,  and  while  receiving  such  things  ns  he  needed 
(Vom  brethren,  moHt  of  whom  were  masons.     Just  before  he  left  Greenville,  in  the  height 

of  revival,  he,  in  a  public  meeting,  »>poke  on  the  subject,  and   poor  brother  is 

now  left  to  labor  against  prejudices  of  his  creating  We  fear  it  will  stop  the  work,  and 
were  I  (he  person  who  had  done  it,  1  should  fear  lest  at  the  day  of  doom  some  should 
reproach  me  as  the  cause  of  their  ruin.  We  believe  he  has  done  more  real  injury  to  the 
cause  of  religion  in  this  part,  than  he  will  do  good  elsewhere  for  months  to  come.  Be- 
lieve me,  your  affectionate,  though  unworthy  brother,  .*' 

"  Mr.  Rurhank,  Sir, — Yon  will  pardon  me  for  intruding  on  your  generosity,  while  the 
feelings  of  my  heart  prompt  rac  to  make  a  few  remarks  prepar<ttory  against  the  fowler's 
snare.  I  have  a  particular  regard  for  the  people  whose  cause  you  vindicate,  and  their 
prosperity,  union,  happiness,  and  church  fellowship,  lend  me  to  adopt  this  method  as  a 
means  of  exertion  for  continued  good  feelings  and  I'rieiulship  among  the  Free-will  Bap- 
tists. I  design  this  letter  as  a  caution  for  you  to  not  be  too  hasty  in  making  any  inser- 
tions that  may  be  aent  or  presented  you  by  David  Marks.  I  am  apt  to  think  he  will  dip 
his  pen  in  gall  against  the  little  village  of  Greenville,  or  at  least  some  of  its  worthy  in- 
habitants. When  the  General  Conference  whs  held  in  Oct.  last,  he  (Marks,)  preached  on 
Sabbath,  A.  M.,  was  received  by  the  congregation  with  very  general  applause,  by  the 
brethren  with  cordial  cheer,  and  their  houses  a  receptacle,  a  very  welcome  receptacle  for 
himself  and  companion,  and  their  barns  and  granaries  for  his  horse.  Aa  a  Christian  min- 
ister he  was  received,  aa  a  iJhristian  minister  he  was  treated,  and  considered  to  be  la- 
boring for  the  upbuilding  of  Zinn's  cause.  But  soon,  to  the  sorrow  and  surprise  of  the 
pastor  of  the  church,  he  began  to  weave  himself  into  the  graces  of  some  ol^the  church 
members  by  traducing  a  certain  class  of  people  called  Free  Masons,  or  the  institiilion 
from  wliich  they  derive  their  name,  and  which  is  the  same  thing.  This  circumstance 
gave  him  an  introduction  to  certain  families  who  have  ever  been  opposed  to  Free-will 
BaptiNts,  as  well   as  masons,  iind  he  e.xpostululed   fVeely   in  favor  of  the  nnti-ninHonic 

cause,  and  has  borne  hard  upon  Elder ,  he  being  a  nominal  mason.    This  course 

he  puroued  wherever  he  thought  it  would  do,  although  he  ever  appeared  to  Eld. 's 

fkce  to  1)0  n  well  wisher  to  him. — yet  it  appeared  to  be  his  aim  to  undermine  him,  that  he 
might  slide  into  his  shoes.    *    •    *    »    * 

A  man,  culled  by  some  the  Hon.  Moses  Thatcher,  of  Wrentham,  Mas*,  (and  late,  but 
not  8Mec4>8sfiil,  candidate  for  representative  to  Congress,  and  a  most  violent  seceding  mu- 

aon,)  held  forth  at  the  meeting  house  occupied  by  Elder ,  in  which,  he  (Marks,)  look 

a  very  active  part,  and  as  many  candid  persons  thought,  who  \Vere  present,  clothed  hid 
remarks  with  a  hypocritical  revenge.  *  *  *  He  seems  to  have  8pare<l  no  puins  to 
raise  an  evcilement,  and  for  wliat    purpose  1  cannot  conceive,  unlest  it  is  to  publish  his 

real  clinratler,  or,  in  other  words,  to  level  down  Eld. ,  and  level  himself  up.     If  he 

procee'ls  in  the  same  manner  wherever  he  goes,  you  will  find  your  churches  all  in  an  up- 
roar. I  do  not  write  this  to  injure  Mr.  Murks,  but  tu  let  you  know  his  nianageineiit, 
hoping,  by  these  means,  that  some  check  may  be  given  to  his  conduct,  and  Ihn!  peace 
and  harmony  may  rest  on,  and  dwell  among.  Free-will  Baptists,  and  they  not  be  thrown 
into  disorder,  by  one  who  acts  or  conducts  like  a  wolf  in  sheep's  clothing.  Therefore, 
set  your  bounds  in  season,  test  the  publications  Marks  would  pnim  upon  you,  might  se- 
cretl),  and  ere  you  are  aware,  lead  >ou  and  the  whole  denomination  into  trouble.  *  * 
From  a  professor^  and  I  humbly  trust  a  yossetsor,  ofretigion." 


DAVID   MARKS. 


253 


endure  such  opposition.  But  this  is  nothing,  compjired  with  what 
my  Lord  has  endured  for  me  :  and  he  said  of  the  world,  "  Me  it 
hateth,  because  I  testify  of  it,  thai  the  works  thereof  are  evil.*'  There- 
fore, I  have  been  enabled  to  commit  these  things  to  him  who 
'■^judgeth  righteously,*'  and  pray  that  ^^  my  misjudging  friends*'  may 
consider  what  these  Scriptures  mean  :  "  T'ouch  not  mine  anointed, 
and  do  my  prophets  no  harm.*' — '^Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto 
one  of  the  least  of  these  my  brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me." 

On  Saturday  I  preached  at  Olneyville,  and  on  the  Sabbath  gave 
my  farewell  discourse  in  Greenville.  Some  wept  aloud,  and  nine 
covenanted  to  seek  the  Lord  as  long  as  they  lived.  Several  breth- 
ren and  friends,  knowing  that  I  had  made  a  considerable  sacrifice 
to  return  to  this  state,  communicated  liberally ;  especially  as  they 
knew  I  had  received  very  little,  because  I  had  testified  against  the 
works  of  iniquity.  After  preaching  in  North  Providence,  Provi- 
dence, Pawtucket,  Rehoboth,  and  Attleborough,  we  went  in  a  steam- 
boat to  Newport,  where  we  spent  six  days.  I  preached  six  times, 
and  enjoyed  some  freedom.  We  were  kindly  received  by  Elders 
Eddie  and  McKenzie.  The  latter  is  a  young  man  of  the  age  of 
eighteen  years,  and  was  ordained  the  spring  before.  He  had  the 
care  of  a  considerable  church,  and  appeared  humble  and  well  en- 
gaged. We  were  told  that  he  commenced  preaching  in  his  father's 
chamber,  when  a  little  boy ;  and  gathered  a  society  of  about  fifty 
of  his  age,  each  of  whom  gave  a  cent  every  week  which  was  dis- 
tributed to  the  poor. 

We  visited  the  graveyard  in  Newport.  It  contained  some  acres, 
and  the  greater  part  is  closely  filled  with  graves.  Unnumbered 
monuments  and  tomb-stones  of  all  kinds  were  standing,  inchning, 
or  lying  on  the  ground.  For  an  hour  we  walked  over  "  the  con- 
gregation of  the  dead;"  and  when  I  saw  how  time  had  baffled  the 
labors  of  men  to  perpetuate  their  memory,  and  that  they  lay  here 
forgotten,  I  fell  on  my  face,  and  cried,  *  Alas,  this  is  the  end  of  my 
race,  and  thus  me  glory  of  man  fades  away!  My  eyes  have  seen 
an  end  of  all  earthly  perfection.'  We  also  visited  the  Jews'  syna- 
gogue, which  is  an  elegant  square  brick  building.  While  we  view- 
ed the  altar,  the  ten  commandments  written  on  plates  of  brass,  the 
vessels  of  Mosaic  work,  the  candlesticks,  whose  lights  had  gone 
out,  and  the  burying  ground,  all  of  which  seemed  desolate  monu- 
ments of  wealth  and  grandeur ;  and  while  we  reflected  that  not  a 
Jew  remained  on  the  island,  we  were  reminded  of  what  the  cruci- 
fiers  of  the  Savior  said,  "  His  blood  be  on  us,  and  on  our  children," 
and  of  the  numerous  prophecies  concerning  the  desolations  of  that 
unbelieving  nation.  Truly  God  has  visited  "  the  iniquities  of  the 
fathers  upon  the  children"  that  hate  him ;  and  has  required  the 
blood  of  the  Son  of  God  at  their  hand. 
22 


254 


MEMOIRS   OF 


'i  • 


W 


I  next  held  three  meetings  in  Boston.  Several  were  revived, 
and  some  were  awakened.  On  Saturday,  Dec.  25,  we  attended 
the  Roman  Catholic  celebration  of  Christmas,  or  the  birth-daj  of 
Christ  More  than  two  thousand  people  were  present,  seven  liun- 
dred  of  whom  we  understood  were  members  of  the  Roman  Catho- 
lic church.  They  played  on  several  kinds  of  instruments  of  music, 
and  accompanied  them  with  singing.  Here  we  saw  their  images, 
paintings,  and  candles  burning  at  noon  day ;  and  a  great  many  oth- 
er things  not  named  in  the  Bible.  Several  priests,  and  a  bishop 
attended,  clad  in  very  sumptuous  apparel,  wliich,  at  a  little  dis- 
tance, appeared  to  be  cloth  covered  with  gold  and  silver,  gems  and 
needle-work.  The  attire  of  the  bishop  surpassed  that  of  the  oth- 
ers in  show  and  grandeur.  He  had  also  a  mitre  on  his  head,  tliat 
appeared  to  be  gilded.  A  part  of  the  time  they  stood  with  their 
backs  to  the  people,  frequently  kneeling  before  their  images,  and 
then  immediately  rising, — some  of  the  time  they  read  prayers  in 
Latin.  A  young  priest,  clad  in  a  white  surplice,  preached  to  the 
people ;  but  his  voice  was  so  feeble  that  we  could  only  occasion- 
ally understand  a  word.  Christians,  thought  I,  who  desire  un- 
scriptural  practices,  and  worldly  grandeur,  may  come  here  and  learn 
instruction.  Here  they  may  see,  that  after  men  depart  from  the 
simplicity  of  the  Bible,  they  will  not  be  content  till  they  obtain  all 
the  glory  of  Babylon.  When  I  had  looked  on  the  vanity  that  was 
exhibited  on  this  occasion,  under  pretence  of  worshipping  God,  my 
soul  hated,  more  than  ever,  the  worldly  display  of  the  anti-christian 
worship ;  and  I  felt  to  thank  God  that  the  pure  and  holy  religion 
of  Jesus  Christ  disdains  this  outward  pomp,  and  possesses  a  glory 
that  will  not  fade  away. 

I  preached  at  the  Methodist  chapel  in  Charlestown,  then  went 
to  Haverhill  and  held  five  or  six  meetings.  These  were  attended 
with  considerable  of  the  good  spirit.  One  of  them,  on  the  last  even- 
ing of  the  year,  was  what  is  called  a  "  watch  meetinff"  and  it  con- 
tinued with  considerable  interest  till  after  midnight.  In  this  meet- 
ing, I  preached  two  sermons.  In  another,  I  preached  from  Ezek. 
13:22,  "  Because  with  lies  ye  have  made  the  heart  of  the  righteous 
sad,  whom  I  have  not  made  sad  ;  and  strengthened  the  hands  of  the 
wicked,  thai  he  shoidd  not  return  from  his  wicked  way,  hy  promising 
him  life!*  In  this  meeting  a  backslider,  who  had  embraced  Univer- 
salism,  was  convinced  of  his  error,  and  from  this  time  sought  the 
Lord  till  he  found  salvation.  The  brethren  in  this  place  commu- 
nicated to  me  liberally.  In  the  early  part  of  January,  18ol,  I 
preached  in  Dover,  Rochester,  and  three  or  four  times  in  Somers- 
worth.  The  meeting  at  Rochester  was  impressive,  and  a  few  came 
forward  for  prayer. 

From  the  10th  of  Jan.  to  the  12th  of  Feb.  1831,  I  spent  in  vis- 


a 
u 
I 
e 
P 

0 

C 

n 
tl 

s] 

Cl 

ft 

r< 
I 

h 
et 
d 


I  ;i 


DAVID  MARKS. 


255 


evived, 
Ltended 
day  of 
jn  hun- 
Catho- 
'  music, 
images, 
my  oth- 
,  bishop 
ttle  dis- 
!ms  and 
the  oth- 
id,   that 
:h  their 
;es,  and 
lyers  in 
i  to  the 
ccasion- 
sire  un- 
nd  learn 
Tom  the 
btain  all 
that  was 
lod,  my 
hristian 
religion 
a  glory 

3n  went 
attended 
ist  even- 
it  con- 
is  mcet- 
n  Ezek. 
ighteous 
h  of  the 
omising 
Univer- 
ght  the 
commu- 
1831,  I 
Somers- 
ew  came 

it  in  vis- 


iting and  preaching  daily  with  churches  in  the  south-west  part  of 
Me.,  and  in  attendance  at  the  Parsonsficld  and  Gorham  quarterly 
meetings.  I  was  very  kindly  received,  and  in  several  places  saw 
the  salvation  of  God. 

An  eclipse  of  the  sun  happened  on  the  12ih  of  February,  and 
more  than  eleven  twelfths  of  its  sui-face  darkened;  yet  the 
lisht  was  considerable.  This  reminded  me  of  the  time  when  it 
"  shall  be  turned  to  darkness."  Again,  I  thought,  as  a  twelfth  part 
of  the  sun  giveth  so  much  light,  so  does  a  little  influence  from 
Christ,  "  the  Sun  of  righteousness,"  greatly  illuminate  a  darkened 
world.  After  this,  we  went  to  Portland,  and  were  affectionately 
received  by  Elder  E.  Shaw,  with  whom  I  had  been  acquainte '  in 
New  York.  He  now  had  the  care  of  a  church  of  about  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty  members,  belonging  to  the  Christian  connexion 
that  had  lately  separated  from  the  Christian  church  in  this  place, 
on  account  of  the  introduction  of  instrumental  music  and  such  like 
things.  They  had  built  a  plain  and  convenient  house  of  worship. 
I  held  six  or  seven  meetings  with  them  for  two  or  three  days  vis- 
ited with  Elder  Shaw  from  house  to  house,  and  found  some  peni- 
tent souls  that  desired  salvation. 

In  the  latter  part  of  February,  jve  went  to  Brunsv/ick  and  Tops- 
ham,  beautiful  villages  on  the  Androscoggin.  In  these  towns  the 
Lord  was  reviving  his  work,  and  several  had  been  brought  to  re- 
joice. I  preached  with  the  people  seven  times,  and  enjoyed  son  a 
good  seasons.  In  the  early  part  of  March,  I  held  two  meetings  in 
Lisbon,  five  in  Richmond,  and  nine  or  ten  in  Gardiner,  a  town  on 
the  Kennebec.  In  Richmond,  the  brethren  were  well  engaged, 
and  our  meetings  were  times  of  rejoicing.  At  Gardiner,  I  enjoyed 
usual  freedom.  A  revival  was  progressing  in  one  neighborhood. 
In  one  of  my  meetings,  twenty  came  forward  for  prayer ;  many 
exhorted,  and  it  was  a  very  refreshing  time.  At  one  of  my  ap- 
pointments in  the  village  of  Gardiner,  a  rumor  was;  circulated  with- 
out my  knowledge,  that  I  would  preach  against  Free  Masonry. 
On  this,  as  well  as  on  several  other  similar  occasions,  I  thought  it 
my  duty  to  confine  myself  to  other  important  subjects,  though  by 
this  means  the  people  were  disappointed.  Indeed,  I  have  never 
spoken  upon  this  subject,  except  when  I  believed  it  would  be  a 
crime  for  me  to  be  silent.  At  another  appointment,  two  hours  be- 
fore the  time  arrived  for  the  meeting  to  commence,  I  assented  to  a 
request  to  preach  on  the  subject,  and  a  crowd  of  people  attended. 
I  read  Gen.  49:5,  6,  7,  "  Simeon  and  Levi  are  brethren — instru- 
ments of  cruelty  are  in  their  habitations.  O  my  soul,  come  not  thou 
into  their  secret ;  unto  their  assembly,  mine  honor,  be  not  thou  unit- 
ed !  for  in  their  anger  they  slew  a  man,  and  in  their  self-will  they 
digged  down  a  wall.     Cursed  be  their  anger,  for  it  was  fierce;  and 


4       * 


'("^; 


V  '<> 


;  ,  \  'I 


.'I 


,Va3«l 


256 


MEMOIRS   OF 


Hi* 


H\ 


'0'i1 


Wmnv 


1 


^AeiV  wrath,  for  it  was  cruel :  I  will  divide  them  in  Jacob,  and 
scatter  them  in  Israel."  When  I  had  read  to  the  clause — "  they 
slew  a  man" — I  paused,  and  several  appeared  to  feel  very  keenly, 
that  its  application  was  unavoidable.  I  had  understood  that  my 
discourse  was  to  have  an  immediate  answer,  so  I  gave  liberty ; 
but  every  man  remained  silent. 

Between  the  13th  and  25th  of  March,  on  our  return  to  Limer- 
ick, I  preached  it  Litchfield,  Bowdoinham,  To'psham,  Brunswick, 
Portland,  Grorham,  Scarborough,  and  Buxton.  Some  of  these 
meetings  were  attended  with  much  of  the  good  Spirit,  and  I  expect 
to  meet  some  fruits  of  them  in  eternity.  The  brethren  in  Gardin- 
er, Richmond,  and  Portland,  communicated  liberally  of  their  sub- 
stance. We  spent  nearly  a  week  in  Limerick  and  Parsonsfield, 
and  attended  eight  meetings ;  then  met  appointments  in  Wake- 
field and  Newfield.  Sabbath,  April  3,  I  preached  three  sermons 
in  Ossipee  to  a  considerable  assembly,  that  was  very  solemn.  In 
this  place  we  had  a  short  interview  with  a  sister  of  Elder  Benja- 
min Randall,  the  founder  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  denomination. 
She  appeared  to  be  a  "  mother  in  Israel ;"  and  we  were  much  de- 
lighted by  her  plainness  and  humility.  K">he  remarked  that  her 
brother.  Elder  Randall,  was  a  very  plain  man,  and  was  ever  op- 
posed to  the  pride  and  superfluity  that  too  often  dishonor  professed 
Christians.  After  this,  I  preached  in  Effingham,  Parsonsfield,  and 
twice  in  Brownfield.  The  last  of  these  discourses  was  given  on  a 
funeral  occasion,  and  to  me  it  was  a  dark  and  trying  time ;  yet, 
soon  after  this,  I  understood,  one  was  converted  that  dated  her 
awakening  at  this  meeting.  Xhus  he  that  soweth,  "  knoweth  not 
whether  shall  prosper,  either  this  or  that."  Next  I  held  meetings 
in  Parsonsfield,  Limington,  Cornish,  HoUis,  and  Biddeford.  In  these 
places  there  were  signs  of  good,  and  we  enjoyed  a  good  degree  of 
the  divine  influence. 

Thursday,  April  21,  had  been  appointed  by  the  governor  of 
Maine  for  a  fast, — ^and  agreeably  to  previous  appointment,  I  met 
a  congregation  at  the  west  meeting  house  in  Limington,  and  preach- 
ed a  sermon,  showing  what  kind  of  a  fast  the  Lord  requireth.  See 
Isa.  58. 

May  1,  1831,  we  started  on  a  journey  to  Massachusetts,  New 
Hampshire,  and  Vermont.  I  preached  to  assemblies  in  Water- 
borough  and  Great  Falls,  and  felt  remarkably  strengthened  of  the 
Lord  in  trying  to  pull  down  the  strong  holds  of  satan.*     A  good 

*  During  the  day  previouH  to  the  erening  meeting  at  Great  Fiills,  one  of  the  leading 
brethren  in  the  church  said  to  Mr.  Marks,  that  he  hoped  he  would  say  nothing  ngaliiBt 
Masonry,  as  the  masons  in  that  place  were  popular  and  powerful.  It  was  farther  stated, 
that  the  masons  said  that  Morgan's  disclosures  were  a  lie.  and  the  story  of  his  abduction 
a  mere  hoax.  Mr.  Marks  aUo  learned  that  young  brethren  and  converts  were  constant- 
ly Joining  the  fraternity,  supposing  it  to  be  a  "handmaid  to  religion."    His  mind  was 


DAVID   MARKS. 


257 


H 


.revival  was  progressing  in  the  latter  place,  and  at  an  inquiry  meet- 
ing, ten  came  forward  for  prayer.  Wednesday  evening,  I  preach- 
ed with  much  freedom  in  Dover  to  a  large  assembly,  and  many 
wept  aloud.  I  next  met  appointments  in  Strafford  and  Banistead. 
These  were  good  seasons,  and  one  covenanted  to  kneel  and  pray 
three  times  daily  for  a  year.  On  Saturday  and  Sabbath,  I  preach- 
ed once  in  Pittsfield  and  thrice  in  Epsom ;  and  at  the  latter  place 
felt  greatly  humbled  for  my  unprofitableness.  During  ten  days 
following,  I  attended  two  meetings  in  Hawke^  five  in  Haverhill, 
three  in  Boston,  and  one  in  Dover.  Some  of  these  were  times  of 
trial,  others  were  seasons  of  much  rejoicing,  and  the  word  appear- 
ed to  fall  "  into  good  ground." 

Wednesday  and  Thursday,  May  18  and  19,  we  attended  the 
New  Durham  quarterly  meeting  in  Middleton,  N.  H.  This  quar- 
terly meeting  was  formed  about  forty-eight  years  ago,  and  is  the 
oldest  in  the  connexion.  Two  aged  brethren  were  present,  who, 
we  understood,  were  converted  at  or  before  the  time  that  Elder 
Randall  became  a  Christian,  and  were  "yoke  fellows"  with  him, 
from  the  first  of  his  religious  course  to  the  end  of  his  useful  life. 
These  were  very  plain,  grave,  and  apparently  very  holy  men.  One 
of  them  was  a  man  of  few  words ;  the  other  was  called  a  noisy 
Christian,  as  he  sometimes  said  "Amen"  and  shouted,  saying, 
"  Gloiy  to  God"  in  time  of  worship.  On  the  first  day  reports 
were  received  from  about  thirty  churches ;  some  of  them  were  en- 
joying revivals.  Several  exhoi*taiions  were  given,  after  which  I 
spoke  from  Ps.  27:4,  5,  "  One  thing  have  I  desired  of  the  Lord," 
&c.  Next  day  I  spoke  two  hours  and  twenty  minutes  with  much 
freedom.  In  the  afternoon.  Elder  Blaisdell  delivered  a  discourse, 
and  a  few  came  forward  for  prayer.  Through  the  kindness  and  in- 
fluence of  Elders  Place  and  Blaisdell,  I  here  received  a  collection 


i 

1^   '1 


h  ''^-^ 


H 


r< 


(.:,     ■ 


i>^; 


«    k 


now  in  deep  trinls.  Tp  look  on  in  silence  and  see  young  Christiang  drawn  into  such  a 
»nare,  while  he  had  (hcts  in  his  possession  that  would  enlighten  their  minds,  was  what 
he  dared  not  decide  to  do.  It  was  very  painful  to  all  the  reelings  of  his  nature  to  incur 
the  censure  of  bretliren,  but  he  could  not  be  recreant  to  Just  principles.  After  spending 
much  time  in  prayer,  he  went  calmly  to  his  appointment.  Ills  text  was  Eccl.  12:14, 
"  For  (iod  shall  bring  every  work  Into  Judgment,  with  every  secret  thing,  whether  it  be 
good  or  whether  it  be  evil."  Among  the  secret  things  which  he  enumerated  that  God 
would  Judge,  were  the  secret  oaths  and  obligations  of  Free  Masonry.  Soon  after  he 
named  this  subject,  several  persons  came  in,  and  some  appeared  much  agitated,  while 
quite  a  crowd  were  about  the  door.  He  turned  around  and  addressed  them  with  great 
pathos  and  power,  portrayed  the  awful  scenes  of  the  Judgment  in  the  most  living  colors. 
Profound  awe  seemed  to  seize  the  new  listeners.  The  moral  sublimity  of  this  scene 
cannot  be  described.  At  the  close  of  the  services,  a  Christian  (Viend,  who  was  a  nomin- 
al mason,  said  lo  him,  "  Brother  Marks,  don't  go  now  ;  there  is  a  collection  of  people 
without,  and  a  great  excitement."  When  the  congregation  was  passing  out,  this  friend 
took  Mr.  Marks  by  the  arm  and  led  him  out  with  the  crowd,  unobserved,  through  flies  of 
men  standing  on  each  side.  Mr.  Marks  was  afterwards  informed,  that  during  his  ser- 
mon the  lodge  was  in  session;  but,  on  hearing  that  he  was  speaking  against  masonry, 
they  immediately  adjourned  and  came  to  the  meeting.  Next  morning  there  was  much 
excitement  throughout  the  village,  and  on  the  corners  of  the  streets,  groups  of  men  were 
standing  and  talking  earnestly  in  angry  and  exciting  tones.  Some  of  the  brethren,  think- 
ing it  unaaTe  for  Mr.  Marks  to  leave  the  village  alone,  accompaoled  him  lo  Dover.— Ed. 


22* 


:hA 


258 


MEMOIRS   Of 


ill 


I'f 


of  about  fifteen  dollars.  Friday,  I  preached  at  the  funeral  of  a 
man  in  Wolfborough.  I  was  told  that  two  days  before  his  death, 
he  remarked,  lightly,  "  In  two  days  my  day  of  grace  mil  be  past." 
But  O,  how  little  (lid  he  think  he  was  speaking  the  truth !  He 
came  suddenly  to  his  end  by  the  kick  of  a  horse.  I  next  preached 
with  usual  freedom  in  Wolfborough,  twice  in  Tuftonborough,  twice 
in  Sandwich,  once  in  Meredith,  and  once  in  Ilolderness. 

Saturday  and  Sabbath,  May  28  and  29,  we  attended  the  Sand- 
wich quarterly  meeting,  held  at  Alexandria.  I  preached  twice  at 
this  meeting,  once  from  Matt.  16:26,  "J\>r  what  is  a  man  profited, 
if  he  shall  gain  the  whole  world  and  lose  his  own  soid  ?"  &c. ;  and 
w^hile  speaking,  the  power  of  the  Lord  came  upon  me — ^his  light 
shined  before  me — and  the  worth  of  the  soul,  and  again  its  loss, 
opened  to  my  mind  with  such  awful  sublimity,  that  I  was  carried 
beyond  all  my  former  conceptions  and  feelings.  I  beheld  my  fel- 
low creatures  sinking ! — sinking  !•— sinking !— with  Christ  before 
their  eyes.  And  once  or  twice  I  was  so  much  overpowered  that  it 
seemed  as  though  I  should  lose  my  breath.  The  assembly  that 
stood  within  and  without  the  house,  was  greatly  affected.  After 
the  meeting,  I  visited  several  that  appeared  much  awakened  and 
quite  tender ;  but  they  would  not  promise  to  turn  to  God.  0  that 
tliis  people  knew  the  time  of  their  visitation  !  I  staid  the  next  day 
and  held  a  meeting.  Only  a  few  came  forward  for  prayer,  and  I 
left  the  place  in  deep  mourning  for  the  people  of  Alexandria.  Af- 
ter preaching  in  Holdemess  and  Campton,  we  proceeded  to  Lisbon, 
a  town  in  the  north-west  part  of  New  Hampshire,  and  attended  a 
meeting.  The  state  of  religion  was  low  in  this  place ;  but,  feeling 
an  impression  that  Grod  would  revive  his  work  immediately,  I 
spoke  from  Matt.  3:3,  "  Prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord"  and  told 
the  people  my  impression.  Saturday  and  Sabbath,  June  4  and  5, 
we  attended  the  Wheelock  quarterly  meeting,  held  in  Cabot,  Ver- 
mont. It  appeared  to  be  a  time  of  some  trial  among  the  churches ; 
yet  we  enjoyed  a  good  season,  and  several  knelt  for  prayer.  Af- 
ter this  I  preached  with  much  freedom  in  Wheelock  and  Sutton. 
The  latter  meeting  was  on  the  day  of  military  exercises ;  two 
companies  marched  into  the  meeting  house,  with  their  equipment?. 
My  subject  w^as,  "  the  signs  of  the  times."  We  staid  the  night 
with  Elder  Woodman,  and  enjoyed  a  very  agreeable  interview. 

On  Friday,  June  10,  1831,  I  attended  the  annual  meeting  of  the 
N.  H.  Charitable  Society.  Seventy-five  brethren  and  preachers 
were  present.  A  venerable  man,  of  the  age  of  seventy-seven,  who 
was  contemporary  with  Elder  Randall,  and  had  served  as  presi- 
dent of  the  society  every  year  since  its  organization,  arose  and  re- 
marked, that  it  had  ever  been  their  practice  when  they  came  to- 
gether, to  make  prayer  unto  God;  and  that  it  would  be  well  for 


DAVID  MAKKS. 


259 


Ver- 


each  to  search  for  duty.  After  a  little  silence,  Eld.  Enoch  Place 
fell  on  his  knees,  and  prayed  with  much  fervor.  It  appeared  that 
there  was  a  fund  of  about  one  thousand  dollars  belonging  to  the 
society  ;  and,  that  at  each  session  of  the  yearly  meeting,  the  socie- 
ty gave  the  interest  of  the  money  to  the  needy.  Any  man  of  good 
moral  character  might  become  a  member,  by  giving  five  dollars,  or 
by  paying  the  interest  on  five  dollars  annually.  Thirty-one  per- 
sons became  members  at  this  meeting. 

Saturday,  June  11,  the  New  Hampshire  yearly  meeting  opened. 
The  forenoon  was  spent  in  business,  and  in  hearing  the  reports 
from  the  quarterly  meetings,  which  were  considerably  refreshing. 
In  the  afternoon,  a  sermon  was  delivered,  and  several  exhortations 
were  given  by  preachers  and  brethren.  Sabbath  moniing,  prayer 
meeting  commenced  at  8  o'clock,  and  before  ten  the  meeting  house 
was  crowded.  I  spoke  two  hours  and  thirty-seven  minutes,  with 
much  freedom,  from  Mark  16:15,  16.  In  the  afternoon,  Eld.  Cav- 
erno  preached  from  Dan.  7:9,  10,  "  I  beheld  till  the  thrones  were 
cast  down,"  &c.  At  the  close,  fifty-two  persons  stood  in  the  galle- 
ries and  sung  the  Judgment  Anthem.  This  was  solemn  and  im- 
pressive, and  all  gave  the  strictest  attention.  At  6  o'clock,  about 
one  hundred  people  assembled  for  a  conference  meeting.  After 
several  exhortations  were  given,  Elder  Place  related  a  part  of  his 
experience,  which  was  very  remarkable,  and  stated  some  interest- 
ing particulars  relative  to  his  first  acquaintance  with  the  Free-will 
Baptists  at  New  Durham,  about  thirty  years  ago.  He  said,  that 
though  Elder  Randall  was  "  little  of  stature,'*  his  face  pale,  and  his 
appearance  feeble,  he  had  a  voice  like  thunder,  and  his  preaching 
was  attended  with  great  power.  Also,  that  at  that  time,  the  de- 
nomination wj^s  so  holy  and  humble,  and  their  preaching  so  power- 
ful, that  the  work  of  God  followed  them  wherever  they  went, — in- 
somuch that  many,  and  he  himself,  thought  their  spirit  was  conta- 
gious ;  and  they  feared  to  come  nigh  them,  lest  they  should  catch 
the  same  spirit.  "  But,"  said  he,  "  I  fear  that  we,  as  a  people,  are 
not  what  we  once  were — that  a  spirit  of  popularity  is  gaining 
among  us.  For  more  than  twenty  years  I  have  kept,  on  myself 
and  on  this  connexion,  a  jealous  eye  ;  and  it  does  not  set  well  on 
my  feelings,  when  I  hear  it  said,  "  The  Free-will  Baptists  are  be- 
coming more  orderly  ;  and  when  I  hear  the  drunkard  say,  "  they 
preached  weZ/,"  and  the  infidel  say,  "  they  ai-e  respectable"  then 
my  soul  is  pained,  and  I  fear  God  will  send  us  a  curse  instead  of  a 
blessing."  He  addressed  the  saints  with  much  pathos  ;  and,  after 
expostulating  powerfully  with  the  wicked,  he  lifted  up  his  voice  and 
exclaimed,  "  Ground  your  arms  ! — ground  your  aims ! — ground 
your  arms !  ye  rebels  !"  And  such  was  the  power  which  attended 
these  words,  that  a  trembling  seized  the  assembly,  and  the  place 


1  ,i  ^!<l 


260 


M»3I0inS    OF 


became  awful  on  account  ol'  the  presence  of  God.  "VVlien  Elder 
Place  had  spoken  about  an  hour,  he  ceased,  and  a  few  others  ex- 
horted. Then  again  he  appeared  to  be  filled  with  the  word  of  the 
Lord,  spoke  for  half  an  hour,  and  liis  voice  seemed  to  sound  like 
the  thunder  of  Sinai.  His  strength  failed  ;  and  as  he  rested,  I  in- 
vited  sinners  that  felt  their  need  of  salvation,  to  come  to  the  for- 
ward pews  for  prayer.  Immediately  nine  came  and  fell  on  their 
knees.  Some  of  them  wept  aloud,  and  others,  joining  them,  fell 
on  their  knees,  or  kneeled  in  other  parts  of  the  assembly,  till  the 
number  was  increased  to  twenty-three.  Many  prayers  were  made 
in  their  behalf,  and  some  prayed  for  themselves.  Several  of  the 
preachers  continued  their  supplications  till  their  voices  were  hoarse ; 
and  Elder  Pla,ce  pleaded  with  God  for  them,  till  he  was  quite  ex- 
hausted,— went  to  a  window  and  obtained  a  little  breath,  then  he 
lifted  up  his  voice  and  thanked  God,  and  wept,  and  prayed  again 
for  sinners.  The  meeting  continued  till  about  midnight,  and  two 
or  three  professed  to  be  converted. 

Monday,  one  o'clock,  P.  M.  Several  preachers,  with  myself, 
met  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  people  at  the  meeting  house.  I 
spoke  a  little  more  than  an  hour,  on  repentance  and  pardon  ;  some 
exhortations  were  given,  and  the  exercises  were  attended  with  heav- 
enly power.  At  four  o'clock,  a  discourse  was  preached  by  E  der 
Benjamin  S.  Manson,  from  Mark  5:36  :  "  Be  not  afraid,  only  be- 
lieve." He  spoke  half  an  hour  with  much  freedom ;  then  exhor- 
tations were  given  by  Elders  Pettingill,  Smith,  Plumb,  Leavitt, 
Knowles,  and  some  others.  At  half  past  six,  the  invitation  was  given 
to  the  awakened  to  come  to  the  forward  pews.  The  young  people 
were  generally  seated  in  the  galleries ;  and  it  was  truly  affecting  to 
see  many  of  them,  in  the  pride  of  youth,  leave  their  seats  and  come 
down  weeping.  Twenty-eight  kneeled,  and  many  fervent  prayers 
were  made  for  them.  In  the  meantime,  I  observed  the  people 
leaning  over  the  front  of  the  galleries  ;  and  as  they  looked  on  the 
anxious,  their  tears  fell  like  drops  of  rain.  Conviction  now  reach- 
ed the  hearts  of  sinners  in  every  part  of  the  assembly ;  and  as 
they  came  to  the  seats  of  the  heavy  laden,  some  appeared  scarce- 
ly abh  to  stand  ;  fell  down  suddenly,  and  poured  forth  their  grief 
like  a  flood.  One  young  lady,  while  trying  to  reach  the  seats  ap- 
propriated to  those  who  desired  prayer,  lost  her  strength  and  sunk 
on  her  knees  in  the  aisle.  She  wept  exceedingly,  and  several 
prayed  for  her.  She  was  then  assisted  to  a  forward  pew,  where, 
with  difficulty,  she  was  kept  from  fainting.  With  her  eyes  lifted 
toward  heaven,  she  prayed  fervently  about  two  hours,  when  the 
Lord  spoke  peace  to  her  soul.  A  little  after  seven  o'clock,  about 
forty  had  bowed  the  knee ;  their  weeping  was  very  great,  and  many 
of  them  were  praymg  for  themselves.    About  sunset  they  arose, 


w< 

th( 

the 

CO* 

tht 
of  I 
mc 


.A. 


DAYID   MARKS. 


261 


as 


were  seated  together,  ancl  ten  of  them  spoke.  Some  confessed  to 
their  parents,  or  other  relatives,  and  entreated  them  to  forgive  all 
the  wrongs  they  had  ever  committed.  Then  all,  as  it  were  by 
common  consent,  again  fell  on  their  knees,  and  began  to  pray  for 
themselves :  many  Christians  engaged  with  them.  When  the  light 
of  day  was  gone,  as  the  distress  of  the  mourners  continued,  the 
meeting  house  was  lighted.  Soon  the  weeping  increased  exceed- 
ingly in  every  part  of  the  congregation  ;  and  unnumbered  groans 
fell  on  our  ears  without  cessation,  and  the  place  seemed  more  awful 
than  any  I  had  ever  iKjfore  seen.  About  fif\y  had  bowed  the  knee ; 
many  of  whom  were  convulsed  with  anguish,  as  though  the  pangs 
of  departing  life  had  come  upon  them.  Some,  as  their  strength 
failed,  were  supported  in  the  arms  of  their  friends;  others,  with 
great  difficulty  were  kept  from  fainting,  and  some  were  doubtful 
whether  they  would  live  through  the  scene.  The  cries,  "  Lord 
have  mercy ! — Lord  have  mercy  ! — Grod  be  merciful  to  me  a  sin- 
ner ! — Lord  save  or  I  perish  ! — I  shall  die ! — There  is  no  mercy 
for  me,"  &c.,  rolled  successively  upon  our  ears;  and  it  was  believ- 
ed there  was  not  a  person  in  the  assembly,  that  did  not  now  feel 
the  dreadful  power  of  Grod !  Sisters,  brothers,  and  friends,  were 
seen  falling  into  each  other's  arms,  confessing  their  sins  and  invit- 
ing one  another  to  go  with  them  to  heaven.  Children  were  weep- 
ing at  the  feet  of  their  parents,  and  parents  were  rejoicing  over 
their  children. 

Soon,  with  some,  these  agonizing  pains  suddenly  subsided — they 
praised  the  Lord  aloud,  and  one  said,  "  I  feel  as  though  I  should 
fly  away  to  heaven."  As  soon  as  they  were  brought  into  liberty, 
they  began  to  encourage  those  that  were  still  in  bondage,  and  to 
pray  for  their  salvation.  But  this  seemed  only  to  increase  their 
anguish.  While  I  witnessed  this  scene,  I  exclaimed  with  myself, 
'  O  how  awful  is  this  place !'  At  half  past  nine  o'clock,  several 
had  found  comfort,  and  the  weeping  was  considerably  abated.  Those 
who  believed  they  had  been  converted  since  the  meet^'ng  commenc- 
ed last  evening,  were  invited  to  rise.  Seventeen  stood  up  rejoicing. 
Then  the  invitation  was  extended  to  all  that  had  found  some  re- 
lief and  comfort,  and  eight  more  arose.  Thus  twenty-five  profess- 
ed to  find  relief  in  about  twenty  four-hours  ;  and  it  was  believed 
that  as  many  as  that  were  truly  converted. 

On  Tuesday,  at  one  o'clock,  P.  M.,  nearly  two  hundred  as.«em- 
bled  again  at  the  meeting  house.  I  spoke  more  than  an  hour,  froi 
Matt.  11:28:  "  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labor,  and  are  heavy  h 
den,  and  I  will  give  you  rest."  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  moved  on 
the  assembly,  and  it  was  easy  preaching.  Many  exhortations  were 
given,  and  great  solemnity  rested  on  the  people.  Twenty-five  of 
the  samts  and  twenty  converts,  spoke  of  the  salvation  of  God. 


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262 


MEMOIRS   OF 


Seventeen  awakened  sinners  also  spoke.  Some  said  they  were  the 
chief  of  sinners — asked  their  neighbors  to  Ibrgive  them,  and  near- 
ly all  were  greatly  distressed.  Several  of  these  had  not  matiifcst' 
ed  any  seriousness  till  this  time.  Occasionally,  such  heart-rending 
groans  and  bitter  cries  burst  from  every  part  of  the  assembly,  that 
it  seemed  as  though  the  most  hardened  infidel  could  but  feel  and 
weep.  At  six  o'clock,  the  penitent  were  again  invited  to  come  to 
the  forward  pews.  Forty  came  and  kneeled,  and  before  we  ceas- 
ed praying  for  them,  the  number  was  increased  to  fifty.  Most  of 
these  prayed  fervently  for  themselves.  And  O  what  agonies ! 
what  bitter  cryings !  what  floods  of  tears,  were  poured  out  before 
the  Lord  I  Language  fails  to"  give  a  just  description.  At  half 
past  seven  I  endeavored  to  compose  the  assembly,  and  they  gener- 
ally took  their  seats.  J^leven  then  manifested,  that  since  the  last 
evening,  they  had  obtained  a  hope  in  the  Redeemer.  Praise  the 
Lord,  O  my  soul,  for  the  glory  of  this  meeting. 

On  Wednesday,  at  3  o'clock,  P.  M.,  a  larger  number  assembled 
than  at  any  time  before,  3ince  the  Sabbath.  As  my  late  labors 
had  reduced  my  strength,  I  thought  to  omit  preaching,  and  exhort- 
ed the  brethren  to  occupy  the  time.  But  as  they  seemed  to  with- 
hold, I  finally  spoke  some  over  an  hour,  on  a  clause  of  Luke  6:48 : 
"  And  digged  deep,  and  laid  the  foundation  on  a  rock."  After  this 
more  than  twenty  spoke ;  some  for  the  first  time ;  and  several  ap- 
peared to  be  in  extreme  distress  for  fear  their  all  was  lost.  At 
the  close  of  the  meeting,  fifty-three  distinguished  themselves  as 
penitents,  and  when  prayer  was  made  for  them,  about  three-fouiths 
of  the  assembly  fell  on  their  knees.  Three  brethren  prayed ;  then 
some  of  the  anxious  spoke,  with  much  grief,  and  earnestly  request- 
ed us  to  remember  them  in  our  supplications.  The  mourners  were 
exhorted  to  spend  the  evening  in  prayer,  and  the  people  dispersed 
a  little  before  dark.  I  understood  afterwards  that  two  or  three  ob- 
tained a  hope  in  this  meeting  also.  As  soon  as  the  evening  was 
come,  we  began  to  hear  the  voice  of  prayer  from  many  directions, 
and  the  sound  rung  for  miles  over  the  hills  of  Lisbon.  The  air 
was  clear,  and  the  evening  serene  ;  and  even  now  its  recollection 
melts  my  soul.  O  what  bitter  cries  and  groans  were  heard  from 
every  direction  !  Some  voices  were  heard  for  hours,  till  they  grew 
hoai*se  and  faint — then,  suddenly,  their  tone  was  changed,  and  they 
praised  the  Lord.  These  supplications  continued  till  midnight ;  and 
next  morning  we  understood  a  number  were  converted  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  town. 

Thursday,  at  3  o'clock,  P.  M.,  we  assembled  again,  and  rejoiced 
to  find  that  several  more,  of  whom  we  had  not  heard,  had  found 
peace  since  the  meeting  the  day  previous.  The  exercises  were 
very  solemn.     Forty-eight  mourners  came  and  kneeled  in  the  for- 


DAVID   jfARKS. 


263 


ward  pewB,  and  a  number  of  brethren  and  converts  prayed  for 
them.  Many  lieavy  laden  souls  prayed  earnestly  for  themselves 
for  two  hours  ;  and  in  this  time  a  number  were  delivered  i'wm  the 
'horrible  pit*  and  brought  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord.  The  cries  of 
these  broken-hearted  sinners  entered  into  the  ears  of  some  thut  had 
come  as  spectators.  It  sunk  into  their  hearts — they  felt  that  they 
must  be  bom  again — wept  for  their  sins,  and  bowed  the  knee  for 
the  first  time.  Parents  were  searching  among  the  anxious  for  their 
children  ;  and  when  they  foimd  them  there,  we  heard  them  exclaim, 
"  Glory  to  God  !  there  is  my  son !  there  is  my  daughter !"  Chil- 
dren also  were  rejoicing  to  see  their  parents  join  tlie  anxious.  Fre- 
quently one  would  lead  a  weeping  relative  along  to  the  altar.  At 
half  past  nine  o'clock,  the  people  dispersed  ;  and  a  young  woman 
who  had  been  a  backslider,  was  overpowered  by  her  distress,  lost 
her  strength,  and  fell  into  the  care  of  her  friends.  Some  spoke  of 
calling  for  a  physician  ;  but  as  she  revived  a  little,  she  told  them 
none  but  a  physician  from  above  could  do  her  any  good.  She  was 
carried  to  a  neighboring  house,  where  she  recovered  her  strength 
about  one  o'clock  in  the  morning.  She  confessed,  that,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  revival,  she  resolved  that  she  would  have  no 
share  in  it,  and  said  that  now  there  was  no  mercy  for  her.  After 
this,  however,  she  found  some  relief.* 

On  Saturday,  at  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  about  three  hundred  people 
assembled  at  Lisbon  in  conference  meeting.  The  interesting  oc- 
currences of  the  former  meetings  were  repeated,  seventy  three 
spoke,  either  of  the  goodness  of  God,  or  in  confessing  their 
sins,  and  a  few  professed  to  find  comfort.  Three  related  their  ex- 
perience, and  were  received  for  baptism,  and  several  others  came 
forward  for  the  same  purpose  ;  but  for  want  of  time  the  meeting 
was  afljourned  till  next  morning. 

Sabbath  morning,  we  assembled  at  eight  o'clock  ;  and  before  ten, 
it  was  thought  that  seven  hundred  people  had  collected.!  The 
whole  time,  till  twelve  o'clock,  was  occupied  by  the  converts  in  re- 
lating their  experience,  and  in  receiving  the  fellowship  of  the 
church.  After  an  intermission  of  forty  minutes,  I  gave  a  discourse 
on  1  Tim.  6:12  :  "  Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith  ;  lay  hold  on  eter- 
nal life,  whereunto  thou  art  also  called,  and  hast  professed  a  good 

*  ThiH  young  woman  died  a  very  triumphant  death  a  few  days  afterwards.    Eo. 

t  Sahhath  morning,  just  before  the  comnienrement  nf  public  worship,  Mr.  S.  Beede, 
to  whom  reference  has  been  made,  handed  Mr.  Murks  the  following: 

"  Morning  TiiouoHTS.  My  Lord  and  my  God.  nearly  one  year  has  passed,  since  ! 
vowed  unto  thee  to  go  forward  in  the  ordinance  of  baptiom,  whenever  I  should  meet  one 
of  thy  servants,  who  had  been  instrumeniHl  in  my  conversion,  and  could  hav«ahe  op- 
portunity of  saying  to  him,  as  the  eunuch  said  to  Philip,  "See  here  is  water  ;  what  doth 
hinder  me  to  be  baptized  .'"  That  opportunity  is  now  presented  for  the  first  time,  and, 
O  Lord,  how  am  I  straitened.  If  I  presume  to  go  forward,  it  must  bo  without  much 
impressions  of  duty,  as  I  have  ever  been  obliged  to  go  in  thy  cause.  I  am  away  rrom 
home  and  the  enemy  may  take  advautage,  saying,  it  was  doue  in  necret,  or  in  a  corner. 


.* 


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264 


MEMOIRS    or 


profession  before  many  witnesses."  After  this,  the  converts  and 
brethren,  followed  by  the  a88(;mbly,  walked  half  n  mile  in  proces- 
sion, sinj^ing  a  baptismal  hymn.  Then  I  hod  the  privilege  of  bap- 
tizing twenty-four,  of  whom  thirteen  were  chiefly  young  men,  and 
eleven  young  women.  The  greater  part  came  out  of  the  water 
praising  the  Lord.  The  scene  was  solemn  and  impressive,  and 
many  of  the  spectators  wept.  Tw(mty-one  of  these  had  been  con- 
verted within  the  week  past.  After  baptism  the  candidates  joine<l 
hands,  and  in  presence  of  the  a«sem!)ly,  received  the  Bible  for  their 
law.  I  then  gave  them  the  right  hand  of  fellowship :  all  kneeled 
on  the  bank,  and  we  returned  thanks  to  God.  After  a  recess  of  an 
hour,  we  assembled  again  ;  and  many  weighty  testimonies  were 
given  by  the  converts  and  others.  Those  that  had  been  baptized 
were  greatly  strengthened,  and  very  happy ;  others  wept  for  hav- 
ing neglected  this  duty,  and  said  they  would  be  baptized  the  first 
opportunity.  Several  heavy  laden  sinners  spoke  with  accents  of 
melting  anguish,  and  pleaded  for  our  prayers.  Though  the  house 
was  nearly  filled  with  people,  yet  there  were  few  that  did  not  ap- 
pear to  feel  the  solemn  presence  of  God.  A  little  before  the 
house  was  lighted,  I  was  much  affected  at  the  appearance  of  the 
assembly.  Nearly  all,  except  those  who  were  on  their  knees,  sat 
leaning  over  the  railing  of  the  pews  and  wept  profusely.  About 
sixty  inquirers  kneeled  in  the  forward  pews,  while  many  prayers 
were  made  for  them  ;  and,  indeed,  nearly  all  prayed  earnestly  for 
themselves  till  seven  were  hopefully  converted.  About  ten  o'clock 
the  meeting  closed,  and  thirty-three  of  the  anxious  covenanted  to 
kneel  and  pray  three  times  a  day  for  four  weeks. 

But  one  week  had  elapsed  since  the  revival  commenced ;  and  it 
had  progressed  with  far  more  power  and  rapidity,  than  any  I  had 
ever  before  witnessed.  O  how  wonderful  and  glorious  were  the 
manifestations  of  the  grace  of  God  !  The  work  was  like  a  migh- 
ty wind,  before  which  every  thing  gives  way  and  falls  to  the  earth. 
I  understood  that  soon  after  the  commencement  of  the  revival, 
those  who  pasaed  out  of  town,  almost  constantly  met  people  that 
were  going  to  Lisbon  to  see  the  marvelous  work  of  God.  Many  a 
rebellious  sinner,  on  entering  the  meeting,  was  immediately  brought 
to  tremble  under  the  power  of  God.     Indeed,  it  seemed  that  few 


BeaidcA,  it  would  cruelly  grieve  my  tender  parents  and  fVienda  ;  but,  what !»  more  than 
alltlu'  rest,  my  own  unworthiness  causen  me  to  slirink  and  shudder  at  the  thought  of  at- 
tempt ini(  the  solemn  act.  Yet  one  of  two  things  must  he  ;  either  I  must  say  to  brother 
David,  under  all  these  embarrassments,  as  did  Ihe  eunuch  to  Philip,  or  I  muot  violate  the 
vow  thrtt  I  have  made.  I  am  straitened,  I  am  distrcsHed.  Dear  Lord,  show  me  before 
the  bHiilismal  hour  how  I  shall  act  most  tu  thy  glory,  and  thy  servant  shall  arquicsce 
with  u  cheerAil  and  willing  mind.  S.  Uekde. 

Third  Sabbath  In  June,  1831." 

Mr.  Beede  finally  decided  to  delay  hit  baptism  till  he  had  another  interview  with  his 
(Quaker  iYieads. — Ed. 


DAVID   MAKCS. 


265 


"■*{] 


returned  without  conviction  ;  and  there  wfw»  less  opposition  thnn  in 
any  other  revival  I  ever  snw.  In  nearly  every  ea.se  that  any  one 
jittcnipteil  to  oppos«',  scnrci^Iy  an  hour  parsed  b«'tbre  he  \fn»  seen 
on  his  knees.  Kvery  chws  shared  in  the  work,  and  the  people  did 
little  else  but  go  to  nieetinp^,  read,  pray,  and  attend  to  the  great  in- 
terests of  their  souls.  Several  were  awakened  hy  hearing  the  ex- 
perience of  the  converts;  and  others,  before  they  came  to  meet- 
nig,  by  hearing  of  the  revival,  and  about  fifty  souls  had  alremly 
oblaiued  a  hope  in  Christ.  Monday,  Juuc  20,  duty  called  me  to 
leave  the  town.  The  conv(!rts,  the  brethren,  and  the  people,  seemed 
dear  to  me  as  lil'e.  On  the  day  before,  they  gave  me  a  collection 
of  about  seventeen  dollars,  and  we  htul  bid  them  farewell. 

In  the  latter  part  of  July  we  understood  tluit  in  one  month  from 
the  time  the  work  commenced,  one  hundred  and  Jiffy  had  been 
converted ;  and,  iucluding  a  few  that  were  received  aa  candidates, 
and  were  awaiting  baptism  the  next  Sabbath,  one  hundred  had  been 
baptized  and  added  to  the  church  in  Lisbon.  Also  that  th«  .io<l 
work  had  spread  into  Franconia  and  Landaff,  iuid  was  still  pro- 
gressing wonderfully.  By  tin;  reports  presented  at  the  Sandwich 
quarterly  meeting,  in  the  month  of  August,  it  appeared  that  one 
hundred  and  fifty  had  been  added  to  the  Lisbon  cliurch  since  the 
yearly  meeting ;  and  a  considerable  number  to  one  or  two  church- 
es in  the  adjacent  towns.  We  likewise  understood,  that  two  hun- 
dred had  been  converted ;  and  that  the  glorious  work  continued 
with  great  power. 

Between  the  20th  of  June  and  July  1st,  I  preached  in  Springfield, 
Wendell,  Newport,  Fishersfield,  Bradford,  Deering,  Weare,  IIop- 
kinton,  Sanbomton,  Gilmanton  and  Sandwich.  In  some  of  these 
meetings  I  felt  "  the  burden  of  the  word  of  the  Lord,"  and  deep 
impressions  appeared  to  be  made  on  the  assemblies.  I  hope  to 
meet  some  good  fruits  of  them  in  glory.  In  Sandwich,  a  revival 
had  commenced,  which  has  since  spread  gloriously. 

From  July  1  to  the  20th  of  September,  I  spent  in  the  southwest- 
em  part  of  Maine,  and  attended  eighty  meetings.  Sometimes  I 
labored  under  trials,  and  felt  that  "  bonds  and  afflictions  await 
ed  me ;"  but  generally,  through  the  grace  of  God,  my  peace  wa.s 
like  the  constant  flow  of  a  gentle  river.  Frequently  I  felt  the 
S[)irit  of  the  Lord  impressing  me  to  preach  against  all  the  evils  that 
affect  the  peace  of  Zion  ;  and  sometimes  my  soul  was  enabled  to 
rejoice  exceedingly.  For  want  of  room,  however,  the  particulars 
of  only  two  of  these  meetings  are  given. 

A  powerful  revival  followed  a  two  days'  meeting  I  attended  in 
Fryburg,  Sept.  10  and  11,  at  which  much  of  the  presence  of  God 
was  enjoyed,  and  his  word  was  like  arrows  in  the  hearts  of  sin- 
ners. 

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266 


MEMOIRS   OF 


Sept  16,  I  preached  in  Limerick.  After  sermon,  my  friencl. 
Samuel  Beede,  related  an  interesting  experience,  and  desired  to  be 
baptized.  lie  was  received  by  the  church  ;  we  repaired  to  a  beau- 
tiful stream,  and  it  became  my  delightful  duty  to  baptize  him.  He 
came  out  of  the  water  pmising  the  Lord,  and  went  on  his  way  re- 
joicing. Glory  to  God  for  the  blessings  of  this  day.  May  God 
preserve  him  and  me,  and  all  saints  blameless,  to  the  coming  of 
our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ,     Amen. 

A  little  previous  to  Mr.  Beede's  baptism,  he  wrote  to  Mr.  Mark? 
a  brief  sketch  of  his  religious  exercises  after  his  conversion,  some 
extracts  froii  which,  for  reasons  already  mentioned,  it  is  thought 
will  not  be  deemed  foreign  to  this  work. 

Sandwich,  Aug.  1831. 
Dear  Brother, 

Directly  after  the  interview  I  had  with  you  after  the  General 
Conference  in  1828,  I  commenced,  as  you  advised  me,  striving  to 
know  and  walk  in  the  good  and  perfect  way,  carefully  studying  the 
Scriptures,  endeavoring  to  find  and  follow  the  precepts  and  exam- 
ple of  Jesus.  I  usually  read  a  portion  of  the  New  Testament 
every  day,  as  it  came  in  course,  for  a  devotional  exercise,  medita- 
tion, and  instruction.  Soon  my  mind  was  led  to  add  still  another 
method  of  studying  the  Bible  doctrine ;  which  was,  with  the  help 
of  the  Concordance,  to  search  for  the  Scripture  testimony  on  par- 
ticular subjects,  or  points  of  doctrine,  and  arrange  all  the  passages 
relative  to  those  points  in  such  a  manner  that  I  could  at  once  ex- 
amine all  that  the  Scripture  says  on  the  subject  both  for  and 
against ;  and  then  I  applied  myself  with  careful  study  and  medita- 
tion, and  with  a  prayerful  heart  to  be  enlightened  into  an  under- 
standing of  the  word,  as  the  Holy  Ghost  intended  it.  In  doing 
this,  my  soul  has  been  blessed  with  joy  unspeakable,  that  makes 
me  willing  to  forego  all  earthly  considerations,  that  I  may  gain 
experimentally  a  knowledge  of  God,  and  his  ways,  and  his  will 
concerning  me.  In  connection  with  the  above  exercises,  I  have 
also  been  constrained  to  practice  much  secret  devotion,  to  attend 
meetings  very  constantly,  and  converse  much  with  mourners  and 
converts  ;  .and  also  to  endeavor  to  become  established  in  practical 
holiness,  so  as  to  render  righteous  ways  as  natural  and  righteous 
actions  as  habitual  to  me  as  the  deeds  of  unrighteousness  formerly 
were.  In  the  meantime,  I  have  not  neglected  to  cultivate  an  ac- 
quaintance with  the  Free-will  Baptists,  who  have  been  nearer  to 
me  than  any  other  people,  or  even  my  nearest  kindred  according  to 
the  flesh.         *        *        *         ♦ 

As  to  public  speaking,  I  have  expected  and  do  expect  that  the 
Lord  will  give  me  something  to  do.     There  is  no  exercise  of  the 


I 


ii 


DAVID    MARKS. 


2^>7 


m 


some 


1  uman  faculties  that  ever  so  delighted  me  from  a  child  to  this  day, 
as  that  of  preaching,  and  none  in  which  I  ever  thought  1  should 
be  so  happy,  as  in  being  a  herald  for  Jesus,  a  proclaimer  of  the 
everlasting  gospel.  But  latteily,  when  I  have  contemplated  the 
state  of  my  health — my  lungs  subject  to  almost  perpetual  inflam* 
niation  through  very  small  degrees  of  exposure — and  my  nervous 
system  so  broken  to  pieces,  as  for  a  great  part  of  the  time  to  par- 
alyze all  the  e*iergies  of  moral,  mental,  and  bodily  action,  I  have 
concluded  the  Lord  had  designed  me  to  act  in  some  other  s[)here 
of  usefulness  to  his  creatures,  than  in  public  speaking.  Then  again, 
when  1  have  meditated  on  the  provisions  of  the  glorious  gospel, 
and  have  seen  the  deplorable  state  of  perishing  sinners,  dying ! 
— dying  ! — dying  ! — with  a  rich  and  ample  feast  spread  at  their 
door,  and  urging  admittance — then  when  I  have  had  a  view  of  the 
infinite — the  infinitely  infinite — mercies  of  God  to  me,  in  having 
mercy  on  so  poor,  v/icked,  undone,  and  blasphemous  a  wretch  as 
myself — O  wretch  that  I  am  !  have  I  exclaimed ;  most  merciful 
Lord  God,  shall  I  reason  thus  ?  Shall  I  decline  using  my  shatter- 
ed faculties  in  thy  service,  merely  because  their  better  days  and 
more  vigorous  exertion  have  been  spent  in  the  service  of  satan  ? 
0 !  no.  "  Here  am  I,  send  me,"  for  if  my  po^rers  are  half  of  them 
lost,  it  is  no  reason  that  I  should  not  spend  the  rest  in  thy  service, 
in  warning  such  poor  wretches  as  I  once  was,  and — but  for  the 
mercy  of  Infinite  Love — am  now.  Sometimes  when  I  have  seen 
the  leaders  of  the  people,  who  ought  to  be  fathers  in  Zion,  dealing 
out  to  the  young  shepherds,  and  the  tender  lambs,  instead  of  the 
bread  of  life,  poison  !  poison  !  poison  ! — and  shall  I  say  damna- 
ble heresies  ? — when  I  have  seen  these  things,  my  spirit  has  been 
stirred  within  me,  sleep  has  departed  from  my  eyes  ;  and  could  the 
briny  pillows  speak  they  would  bear  witness  to  the  nightly  sorrows 
of  my  soul.  Then  I  have  queried,  can  I  ever  content  myself  to 
labor  with  the  dumb  and  unfeeling  language  of  the  pen,  while  oth- 
ers are  engaged  in  the  open  field  ?  No-^my  heart  has  said,  rath- 
er let  me  be  placed  in  the  front  of  the  battle — in  view  of  the  ene- 
my, where  I  can  come  in  open  contact,  and  openly  oppose  him  in 
defence  of  precious  souls.  Sometimes  I  have  longed  to  become  a 
member  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  denomination  and  'abor  with  all 
my  powers,  and  wear  out  my  life  in  defence  of  the  gospel.     *     * 

Your  brother  in  tribulation, 

Samuel  Beede. 


'1  • ;  ^'i^ 


.  'rns 


I 't? 


ill 


268  MEMOIRS    OF 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Particulars  of  Mr.  Marks'  labors,  sickness,  ^-c.  together  with  ex- 
tracts from  his  correspondence  from  the  close  of  his  "  Nar- 
rative*' as  published  by  himself  September  1831,  to  October 
1832. 

The  preceding  chapters  contain,  in  an  abridged  form,  the  narra- 
tive of  Mr.  Marks'  labors,  as  published  by  himself  in  the  year 
1831.  For  a  few  months  afterwards,  he  generally  kept  a  regular 
journal ;  but  as  he  has  recorded  nothing  of  the  causes  which  di- 
rected his  subsequent  course,  it  is  deemed  proper  to  state  them 
briefly,  before  resuming  the  thread  of  the  narrative ;  also  to  intro- 
duce frequent  explanatory  paragraphs,  together  with  extracts  from 
his  correspondence,  in  connection  with  his  journal. 

At  this  period.  Free-will  Baptists,  as  a  denomination,  had  engag- 
ed in  but  few  of  those  benevolent  enterprises  which  distinguish  the 
operations  of  the  church  in  the  present  day,  and  which  have  so 
greatly  enlarged  tho  sphere  of  her  usefulness.  The  Morning  Star, 
however,  (which  had  been  published  since  1826  by  a  company  of 
brethren  at  Limerick^  Me.  under  the  patronage  of  the  denomina- 
tion and  devoted  to  its  interests,)  advocated  gospel  order,  temperance, 
missions,  Sabbath  schools,  education,  and  improvement  generally;  and 
there  were  many  ministers  and  others  in  different  parts  of  the  con- 
nexion who  were  warm  friends  of  these  causes,  and  were  laboring  for 
their  promotion.  The  subject  of  these  Memoirs,  hitherto  seems  to  have 
had  his  mind  mostly  engrossed  with  one  idea — the  immediate  con- 
version of  souls  ;  and  for  the  attainment  of  this  object,  he  had  di- 
rected his  whole  studies  and  energies.  His  mind  liad  now  become 
painfully  exercised  with  the  state  of  the  denomination  to  which  he 
was  in  sentiment  and  in  heart  much  attached.  His  extensive  trav- 
els and  labors  had  given  him  an  opportunity  to  see  that  something 
must  be  done  efficiently  and  immediately,  or  the  denomination  would 
be  rent  asunder  by  many  schisms.  Inaction  in  the  cause  of  mis- 
sions, education,  support  of  the  ministry,  &c.  had  opened  the  way 
for  the  introduction  of  many  evils,  disheartened  some  of  the  most 
talented  and  intelligent  minister,  and  prevented  the  union  of  ma- 
ny with  the  denomination,  who  had  been  converted  under  the  la- 
hoi's  of  its  faithful  preachers.  Indeed,  he  had  seen  a  great  share 
of  the  fruits  of  his  own  toils,  from  the  above  named  causes,  gatli- 
ered  into  other  churches  of  dissimilar  sentiments.  False  ideas  on 
fundamental  points  of  faith  were  also  exerting  an  influence.  Iri  a 
few  sections,  Unitarian  views  of  the  character  of  Christ  and  the 


I 


DAVID   MARKS. 


269 


I 


doctrine  of  the  annihilation  of  the  wicked  had  obtained  phice  in  the 
minds  of  some  through  the  preaching  of  Elias  Smith,  not  far  froni 
the  time  of  the  rise  of  the  sect  called  Christians.  Mr.  Smith  nas 
refused  admission  into  the  Free-will  Baptist  denomination,  on  ac- 
count of  his  sentiments. 

Although  Mr.  Marks  was  deprived  of  early  literary  privileges, 
as  the  reader  of  the  preceding  pages  has  seen,  the  absence  of 
educational  advantages  was,  in  his  case,  in  d  measure,  compensated 
by  an  unusual  activity  of  mind,  and  a  plodding  perseverance,  M'hich 
would  not  yield  to  obstacles.  Still  he  was  ever  a  close  Biblical 
student,  and  to  this,  no  doubt,  with  the  Divine  blessing,  is  to  be  at- 
tributed his  great  success  in  winning  souls.  He  had  committed  to 
memory  the  writings  of  the  four  Evangelists,  Acts  and  Ilomans, 
and  so  ready  and  retentive  was  his  memory,  that,  if  a  passage  was 
named  in  either  of  these  books,  he  could  in  a  moment  tell  the  chap- 
ter and  verse,  or  if  any  particular  chapter  or  verse  was  called  for, 
lie  could  instantly  repeat  it.  He  had  also,  without  an  instructor, 
and  mostly  while  walking  or  riding,  become  well  acquainted  with 
several  English  branches,  and  had  acquired  sufl'icien .  knowledge  of 
Greek  to  read  in  the  i>cw  Testament  with  the  aid  of  a  lexicon. 
Highly  as  he  valued  knowledge,  and  diligent  as  he  was  in  its  ac- 
quisition, still  he  had  not  been  much  awake  to  the  importance  of  a 
thoroughly  educated  ministry.  Engaged  constantly  in  preaching 
himself,  he  seldom  listened  to  a  sermon,  and  was  little  aware  to  what 
an  extent  study  was  neglected  among  Free-will  Baptist  ministers. 
Grieved  by  the  little  spirituality  and  success  that  attended  the  labors 
of  most  of  those  he  had  known  who  had  pursued  the  usual  course  of 
study  in  our  Theological  schools,  he  had  imbibed  the  impression 
that  their  course  of  discipline  had  a  tendency  to  destroy  spirituali- 
ty instead  of  increasing  it,  and  for  a  time  he  had  prejudice  against 
such  institutions. 

The  subject  of  missions  had  engaged  little  of  his  attention.  Not 
that  tlie  conversion  of  the  world  was  not  an  ol)ject  for  which  at  any 
time  he  would  have  laid  down  his  life,  but  the  slanders  of  the  en- 
emies of  missions  repeated  to  him  by  Christians,  produced  an  ap- 
pathy  in  his  mind  on  this  subject.  Consequently  he  had  interest- 
t'tl  himself  little  in  reading  the  reports  of  missionary  operations. 
Tiio  tem[)erancc  cause  had  his  sympathies  from  its  commence- 
ment. 

After  his  mind  became  painfull3  anxious  about  the  state  of  his 
beloved  people,  he  used  often  to  unbosom  his  feelings  to  his  friend, 
S.  Beede,  who,  instead  of  trying  to  console  him  with  a  hope  of  a 
better  state  of  things,  set  himself  to  present  existing  evils  in  a  still 
stronger  light,  till  sometimes  Mr.  Marks'  agony  of  soul  was  almost 
overpowering.  But  his  was  a  spirit  that  could  not  sink  under  dif- 
23* 


hI^ 


i 


as 


:|i, 


270 


HGMOmS   OF 


>;i^ 


iicultics,  nor  give  up  in  despair.  lie  set  himself  to  study  careful- 
ly the  cause  of  the  evils  and  their  remedy.  Thus  was  his  mind 
prepared  to  examine,  with  careful  attention,  several  articles  that 
appeared  about  this  time  in  the  Morning  Star  on  the  establishment 
of  a  "  Book  Concern,"  the  first  of  whicl  was  written  by  Mr. 
William  Burr.     These  much  interested  him,  particularly  several 

anonymous  communications,   signed   B n.*      He  thought  he 

saw  in  a  well  regulated  Book  Concern,  a  bond  that  would  tend  to 
unite  the  denomination,  and  would  afford  an  antidote  to  many 
evils.  This  subject  he  often  discussed  with  Mr.  Beede,  and  final- 
ly they,  with  others,  matured  a  plan  which  they  thought  would  suc- 
ceed, provided  they  could  gain  the  approbation  of  the  General 
Conference,  which  wtis  to  meet  in  a  few  days. 

The  following  is  a  continuation  of  Mr.  ^larks'  journal,  in  an 
abridged  form,  from  the  closing  date  of  the  preceding  chapter. 

"September  17  and  18,  I  attended  the  Maine  Western  yearly 
meeting  in  Buxton.  Fifteen  ordained  ministers  were  present  and 
several  hundred  people  more  than  could  be  convened  in  the  meet- 
ing house.  I  preached  twice  during  the  session.  My  mind  was 
made  very  solemn  by  the  news  that  the  Indian  cholera,  the  over- 
flowing ocourge  that  had  swept  through  the  old  world,  had  entered 
New  Brunswick.  I  endeavored  in  my  preaching  to  improve  these 
tidings  to  the  good  of  souls.  The  assembly  seemed  much  affected. 
I  next  went  to  Sandwich,  N.  H.  to  attend  a  "  four  days'  meeting," 
which  by  request  I  had  appointed  three  months  before.  I  preach- 
ed in  Ossipee  by  the  way.  Several  came  forward  for  prayer,  and 
one  young  lady  promised  to  seek  the  Lord  till  she  found  him.  Sev- 
eral ministers  attended  the  meeting  in  Sandwich,  some  of  whom 
preached  during  its  progress.  On  the  Sabbath,  twelve  or  fifteen 
liundred  people  attended,  and  great  solemnity  rested  on  the  assem- 
bly. A  number  came  forward  to  manifest  that  they  were  decided 
to  attend  to  the  salvation  of  their  souls.  Sabbath  evening,  I 
preached  in  Ossipee,  and  found  the  young  lady  who  made  a  cov- 
enant to  seek  the  Lord  indulging  a  joyful  hope.  Several  present- 
ed themselves  for  prayer,  and  a  little  boy  following  me  out  of  the 
house,  weejiing,  gave  me  his  hand  and  said,  "  Will  you  pray  tor 
me?" 

The  fourth  session  of  the  General  Conference,  to  be  held  in 
Wilton,  Me.  was  drawing  near.  Having  been  ai)pointed  a  del- 
egate by  the  Holland  Purchtuse  yearly  meeting,  Monday,  Sept.  2G. 
I  commenced  journeying  in  that  direction,  accompanied  by  my 

■♦  These  articles  were  written  by  S.  Beede  at  the  Holicitation  oi  Mr.  Burr,  hut  no  oili- 
er person  knew  the  author  till  the  hour  Mr.  Beede  was  dying.  Mr.  Burr  then  reveal- 
ed It,  feeling  that  he  was  absolved  from  the  injunction  of  secrecy  Mr.  Beede  laid  iipou 
him. 


•fiil 


DAVID   MARKS. 


271 


companion,  having  appointments  by  the  way  previously  notified. 
During  the  seven  days  ensuing,  I  held  meetings  in  Limerick,  Port- 
land, Brunswick,  Topsham,  Gardiner,  and  several  other  towns.  In 
Topsham,  I  was  filled  with  sorrow  and  weeping  for  perishing  sin- 
ners. After  facing  for  about  fifty  miles  one  of  the  severest  stonns 
of  rain  and  sleet  I  ever  knew,  I  arrived  in  Wilton,  Oct.  12. 
Col.  Charles  Morse  had  made  provision  to  entertain  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Conference  at  his  own  expense,  and  had  furnished  a 
large  chamber  for  convening  its  sessions,  so  that  the  meeting  house 
might  be  free  for  public  worship." 

The  business  of  the  Conference  was  conducted  with  much  har- 
mony. A  question  was  proposed  from  the  Holland  Purchase  year- 
ly meeting,  inquiring,  "  What  do  Free-will  IJa|)tists  believe  to  be 
the  Scripture  doctrine  with  regard  to  the  character  and  offices  of 
Christ  ?"  H.  Hobbs,  S.  Beede,  and  D.  Marks  were  appointed 
a  committee  to  prepare  a  reply.  S.  Boede  drafted  a  very  able  ar- 
ticle, showing  that  Christ  was  "  God  manifest  in  the  flesh,"  that  he 
was  "  the  true  God  and  eternal  life,"  which  perfectly  accorded 
with  the  views  of  the  other  members  of  the  committee.  The  re- 
port was  received  unanimously  by  the  Conference. 

The  subject  of  a  "  Book  Concern"  was  presented  and  referred 
to  a  committee  (^  three,  viz.  E.  PJjice,  D.  Marks,  and  S.  Beede, 
who  made  the  following  report,  which  passed  the  Conference : 

"  Agreed,  that  in  our  opinion,  the  establishment  of  a  Book  Con- 
cern on  a  scale  sufficiently  extensive  to  answer  the  demands  of  our 
coimexion  for  books  is  desirable.  And  we  believe  that  such  an  es- 
tablishment, suitably  encouraged  and  su})ported,  would  contribute 
as  much  to  usefulness  in  our  churches,  and  aid  it<  much  in  spread- 
ing Christian  knowledge  in  th'.'  world,  as  any  other  :^ingle  coiuse 
of  mcjisures  that  ^^  e  can,  under  the  present  circumstances,  pursue. 
But  as  we  know  of  no  advisable  means,  whereby  we  can  at  present 
furnish  ourselves  with  funds  that  would  be  necessary  to  commence 
the  establishment  on  a  large  scale,  we  think  it  proper  to  api)oint 
some  brother  a  Book  Agent,  to  officiate  and  act  for  us  till  the  next 
General  Conference  ;  and  that  t^aid  agent  publish  fortlie  Conference 
such  books  iis  they  may  direct,  and  hold  himself  responsible  to  the 
Conference  for  his  doings  ;  and  also  be  responsible  for  all  con- 
tracts made  by  him  relative  to  publishing  books  ;  and  that  he  be 
authorized  to  take  the  necessary  and  prudent  measures  for  selling 
such  books  as  may  be  published ;  and  at  the  next  Conference  pre- 
sent a  full  report  of  his  doings,  and  ihe  circumstances  of  the  Book 
Concern  intrusted  to  his  chaige."  See  Minutes  of  fifth  General 
Conference,  page  8. 

Mr.  Marks  was  then  chosen  Book  Agent,   and  II.  Ilobbs,  S. 
Beede,  and  Wm.  Burr,  a  "  Publishing  and  Advisory  Conmiittcc 


1^'A. 


'*! 


■■w 


■> . 


u 

!■■'• 

I 


272 


MEMOIRS    OP 


ti 


fl! 

bin 


:l 


I'.  4 

til 


on  the  Book  Concern  and  book  agency,  with  instructions  to  (hrect 
the  Book  Agent  to  publish  for  and  on  behalf  of  the  Conference, 
such  books  as  they  may  deem  it  suitable  and  expedient  to  be  so 
published,  and  to  advise  with  him  relative  to  the  sales." 

The  following  reference  to  this  subject  was  made  in  the  circular. 

"Having  taken  the  subject  of  a  Book  Concern  into  consideration. 
we  are  of  the  opinion  that  an  establishment  of  this  kind  would  be 
very  useful  to  our  connexion.  And  as  no  ready  means  appeared 
whereby  we  might  obtain  funds  to  commence  on  a  very  extensive 
scale,  we  have  thought  proper  to  appoint  a  Publishing  Committee, 
to  select  and  direct  the  publication  of  such  books  as  they  may  think 
suitable  and  necessary.  We  have  also  appointed  a  Book  Agent  to 
publish  for  the  Conference  such  books  as  the  Publishing  Commit- 
tee shall  direct,  and,  with  the  advice  of  the  committee,  to  sell  them, 
and  account  to  the  Conference  ibr  all  the  profits  that  may  arise 
from  the  sales. 

After  consulting  men  who  are  experienced  in  book  business,  we 
have  thought,  that  a  Book  Concern,  begun  in  this  small  way,  and 
extended  as  the  profits  arising  from  sales  should  furnish  means, 
might  be  as  likely  to  succeed,  and  eventually  arise  to  its  desired 
usefulness,  as  it  would  be,  if  we  should  depend  on  obtaining  dona- 
tions from  our  brethren  for  iti*  first  establishment.  We  can  but 
hope,  therefore,  that  our  brethren  will  use  their  influence  to  en- 
courage and  support  our  first  humble  attempts  at  a  Book  Concern." 
See  Mimites,  page  11. 

]\Ir.  Marks  entered  immediately  upon  the  duties  of  his  new  of- 
fice, but  did  not  in  the  meantime  intermit  in  the  least  his  labors  in 
I>reaching  and  visiting  the  churcnes,  as  his  journal  will  show ;  on 
the  contrary,  he  diligently  improved  these  opportunities  in  creating 
an  interest  in  the  important  enterprise  in  which  he  had  just  en- 
gaged, lie  opened  an  extensive  correspondence  with  leading  indi- 
viduals in  every  part  of  the  denomination,  and  sought  out  channel^; 
whereby  every  church  might  be  supplied  with  the  productions  is- 
suing from  the  Book  Concern.  To  this  end  he  appoinfod  assistant 
agf^nts  in  every  section,  to  whom  books  might  be  sent.  A  few  smi  11 
works  were  immediately  issued.  As  no  one  hymn  book  had  Oo- 
tained  general  use  in  the  denomination,  there  seemed  a  loud  call 
for  one  embodying  such  sentiments  as  were  congenial  with  its  views, 
and  worthy  of  general  patronage.  Accordingly,  it  was  decided  by 
the  Pu>'ishing  Comuiittee  and  Agent,  that  such  a  book  should  be 
prepared,  and  the  work  of  preparation  was  assigned  to  S.  Beede. 
As  its  publication  could  not  be  effected  on  credit,  and  was  going  to 
involve  considerable  expense,  a  prospectus  was  issued  for  obtaining 
subscribers. 


DAVID    MARKS. 


273 


It  may  be  proper  to  state  that  Mr.  Marks  had  had  some  expe- 
rience in  publishing  books.  The  conlributions  of  friends  falling  far 
short  of  meeting  his  travelling  expi^nses,  and  being  coniiiellod  to 
do  something  to  supply  this  deficiency,  he  resorted  to  the  publica- 
tion of  religious  books,  as  this  business,  besides  furnishing  him  with 
means  for  travelling,  aided  him  in  the  great  Mork  of  spreading  re- 
ligious knowledge.  The  principal  works  he  had  published,  were, 
Life  of  John  Colby,  Buzzell's  hymn  book,  and  a  Conference  Meet- 
ing hymn  book,  compiled  by  himself.  They  were  printed  in  Roch- 
ester, N.  Y.  Seventee 71  thousand  copies  ol'  his  Conference  Meeting 
hymn  book  were  sold. 

The  following  are  extracts  from  liis  journal  continued  from  the 
tune  of  the  Conference. 

"  Meetings  of  worgh.'p  had  been  held  through  the  sessions  of 
the  Conference,  which  continued  till  Saturday  noon,  September  16. 
I  preached  in  the  afternoon  with  considerable  freedom,  and  in  the 
evening,  spoke  again  at  a  village  a  few  miles  distant.  On  the  Sab- 
bath, such  crowds  assembled  from  different  towns  that  they  were 
obliged  to  convene  in  two  places.  It  fell  to  my  lot  to  preach  at 
one  in  the  forenoon  and  at  the  other  in  the  afternoon.  It  pleased 
the  Lord  to  give  me  more  than  usual  liberty,  and  the  assemblies 
were  much  impressed.  Scores  of  souls  had  been  recently  conver- 
ted in  Wilton,  so  tliat  there  was  not  that  opportunity  for  the  spread 
of  a  revival  that  there  had  been.  Still  signs  of  good  were  mani- 
fest, and  anxious  inquu*ers  presented  themselves  for  prayer.  Mon- 
day, afler  preaching  again,  I  lefl  Wilton  to  attend  the  fii*st  session 
of  the  Wolfborough  quarterly  meeting  to  meet  October  23,  at  Os- 
sipee,  N.  H.  and  held  meetings  by  the  way  in  Windham,  Buxton, 
and  Limerick.  Saturday  evening,  I  gave  a  discourse  at  the  quar- 
terly meeting,  and  named  various  things  which  my  views  of  duty 
compelled  me  to  preach  against.  Among  these  was  Free  Masonry. 
After  meeting  Dr.  C.  asked  me,  if  I  hiew  anything  about  Free 
Masonry.  I  told  him  I  did.  He  asked,  "  How  ?"  I  said,  "  By  the 
testimony  of  many  thousands  of  seceding  masons."  He  replied, 
"  You  know  nothing  about  it."  I  asked  him  if  he  knew  there  was 
suci  a  city  jis  New  York.  Ho  answered,  "  They  say  there  is." 
''Bu','  1  inquired,  " do  you  know  there  is?"  "  No,"  was  his  n 
ply.  Then  I  said ;  "  If  I  know  nothing  about  Masonry,  people  du 
not  kno^v  any  thing  except  what  they  have  seen  with  their  eyes, 
and  none  but  such  as  have  been  to  New  York,  London,  or  Paris, 
know  that  there  are  such  cities.  What  an  ignorant  world  this 
must  be,  if  knowledge  has  the  limits  which  the  masonic  fraternity 
would  fain  make  many  believe.  Sir,  did  you  ever  see  a  man  steal  ? 
Should  you  hear  me  preach  against  thefl,  adultery  or  murder, 
would  you  admonish  me  and  say,  "  Preach  against  those  things 


4 


:^m'- '^''---H 


274 


MEMOIRS    OF 


Rl'l 


I 


ill  i 


1 


Hi 


you  know?'*  He  asked,  "  What  has  tlio  p^osppl  to  do  >vilh  Troo 
Masonry  ?"  1  answered,  "  It  has  nothin<;  to  do  with  it,  neither  with 
other  abominations,  except  that  it  is  reveah'd  against  all  unriijiite- 
ousness  of  men,  therefore  I  preach  a;;ainst  Free  Masonry  as  I  do 
against  other  sins."  He  replied,  "  Preaching  against  Free  Mason- 
ry 18  preaching  up  for  Clay,  nud  yon  had  better  be  i»reaching  the 
gospel." 

After  holding  meetings  in  Ossipee  and  "Wakefield,  October  27, 
I  went  to  the  village  of  Great  Falls,  where  I  had  an  appointment, 
but  found  it  had  not  been  notified.  I  was  informed  that  as  there 
was  a  great  excitenumt  among  the  Masons,  on  account  of  my 
preaching  {igainst  Free  Masonry  in  this  place  the  spring  previous, 
the  minister,  who  was  a  Mason,  and  the  male  members  of  the  Free- 
will Baptist  church,  thought  it  not  expedient  for  me  to  preach  with 
them.  This  was  said  to  be  the  Jirst  instance  in  which  a  Free-will 
Itaptist  church  hjul  closed  it«  doors  against  a  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel, though  the  denomination  had  been  in  existence  about  fifty 
years." 

Shortly  after  tliis,  Mr.  Marks  received  a  very  excellent  letter 
from  his  friend  Beede  in  reference  to  this  affair,  designed  to 
strengthen  him  in  his  warfare  with  iniquity  m  high  places,  from 
which  the  following  is  an  extract. 

"  I  was  pleased  with  hearing  of  your  welfare  and  prosperity  in 
tljc  truth;  and  not  in  any  small  degree  was  I  rejoiced  at  the  intel- 
ligence of  your  success  at  the  Great  Falls — not  by  any  means  that 
I  rejoice  in  iniquity,  but  knowing  that  the  whole  world  lieth  in 
wickedness,  I  am  consoled  with  the  thought  that  some  of  the  Lord's 
servants  are  yet  willing  to  hold  up  the  standard  of  righteousness 
and  proclaim  the  unmixed  gospel  of  Jesus  to  perishing  mortals. 
Christ  said  of  the  wicked,  they  have  hated  me,  and  they  will  hate 
you.  Whati^ver  minister  of  Jesus  will  dare  rightly  to  divide  the 
word  of  truth,  and  preach  Bible  doctrine,  as  did  the  ])rophcts. 
Christ,  and  his  apostles,  will  surely  meet  with  opjiosition  from  nn- 
Christlike  professors,  and  from  tho-se  who  love  darkness  rather  than 
light,  because  their  deeds  are  e^  il.  This  is  a  necessary  conse- 
quence ;  for  God  and  satan  are  at  enmity,  and  so  must  tlieir  chil- 
dren be.  There  can  be  no  greater  delusion  than  to  suppose  that 
Christians  can  earnestly  contend  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
saints,  and  at  the  same  time  preserve  peace  and  friendship  with  the 
devil  and  his  children.  Such  preachers  as  ?m-Christlike  profes- 
ors  applaud,  and  lovers  of  pleasure  admire,  such  as  satan  is  at  peace 
with,  such  as  his  servants  have  not  open  hostility  with,  liave  full 
reason  to  suspect  that  they  possess  more  the  nature  of  the  minis- 
ters of  satan  in  disguise  than  of  the  true  ministers  of  Jesus.  My 
dear  brother  David,  for  more  than  three  years  my  humble  prayer 


DAVID    MARKS. 


276 


My 


to  the  Lord  has  been  that  he  may  enable  you  to  understand,  to 
Iiractice,  and  to  preach  the  pure  gospel  of  Christ ;  and  that  his 
temper,  his  manner,  and  his  example  may  be  your  undivided  pat- 
tern of  life  and  conduct  in  all  eases,  times,  and  occasions.  This 
helii<»  tlic  case,  the  world  cannot  be  at  pea'-e  with  you  ;  for  it  could 
not  with  .Tesus,  and  never  can  it  hv  any  more  at  peace  with  his  fol- 
lowers than  with  him.  If  you  follow  the  Savior,  wicked  men  and 
devils  will  hate  you  still  more — the  division  between  you  and  them 
will  hv.  still  wider,  and  the  opposition  and  persecution  you  will  ex- 
perience from  them  will  be  more  severe  than  you  have  yet  received. 
May  God  give  you  wisdom,  strengthen,  and  establish  you  in  every 
good  work.         »         ♦         *         «         Farewell. 

Your  unworthy  brother  in  tribulation, 

Samuel  Bekde." 

Mr.  ^^arks,  in  his  public  labors,  neither  courted  controversy  nor 
opposition.  He  greatly  loved  tlie  g<x)d  opinion  of  his  brethren, 
but  he  loved  the  interests  of  Christ's  kingdom  far  better,  and  whe;i 
he  thought  these  demanded  his  testimony,  he  knew  nothing  of  that 
cautious  prudence  that  dreads  saying  aught,  lest  he  should  be  ex- 
pose<l  to  censure.  In  such  cases,  he  was  always  courageous  and  li- 
on-hearted ;  at  the  same  time  there  were  often  blended  a  gentle 
tenderness  and  affectionate  manner  that  rendered  his  severe  and 
pointiid  rebukes  of  sin  very  effective. 

Journal.  "  After  preaching  in  Dover,  I  atu^nded  a  "  three  days' 
meeting"  at  Strafford,  in  Elder  Place's  congregation,  commencing 
Friday,  October  29.  It  was  a  season  of  great  power.  More  than 
forty  came  forward  for  prayer,  and  some  were  converted.  Among 
these  was  a  son  of  Elder  John  Buzzell ;  he  was  very  happy.  On 
the  Sabbath,  the  congregation  consisted  of  al)Out  eight  hundred  and 
fifty  persons :  of  these  seven  Inmdred  and  fifty  arose  to  manifest 
that  they  were  professors  of  religion.  Oct,  .31,  Leaving  Straf- 
ford, 1  met  appointments  daily  for  four  days.  In  this  time,  I  had 
a  very  ]>leasant  interview  with  my  friend  D.  P.  Cilley,  in  Notting- 
ham. I  believe  the  Lord  is  calling  him  into  his  vineyard,  though 
he  is  liai-dly  willing  to  acknowledge  it.  I  ha<l  a  close  and  faithful 
talk  with  him. 

Fridiiy,  Nov.  4,  1831.  This  day  closes  the  twenty-sixth  year  of 
my  life.  O  how  many  favors  has  the  Lord  shown  his  poor  servant ! 
I  spent  this  day  and  the  following  at  Raymond,  at  a  "  three  days' 
meeting."  A  brother  was  ordainc<l,  and  it  fell  to  my  lot  to  preach 
on  the  occasion.  My  subject  was  the  duty  of  a  bishop.  Sabbath, 
I  preached  twice  in  Dover,  and  in  the  evening  at  the  Great  Falls. 
Th<;  meeting  house  being  still  closed,  the  meeting  was  held  in  a 
large  biiek  school  house,  which  was  fdled  to  overflowing  and  many 
went  away  because  they  could  not  get  a  place  to  stand  witlun.     I 


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spoke  on  the  cross  <jf  Christ  with  murh  frocdom.  AUhough  som<^ 
appeared  contentious  and  uneasy  at  lirst,  soon  they  paid  {:;m)d  at- 
tention. T  understood,  arterwards,  that  a  mob  was  at  the  meeting 
in  rendiness  and  determined  to  attack  me,  pmvided  f  said  anythinjr 
against  Free  Masonry.  It  so  hu]»pened  that  my  mind  was  not  Kd 
at  all  to  that  suhj«jct. 

Monday,  Nov.  7.  Setting  out  on  a  line  of  appointments  to  Hhodt 
Island,  I  met  congregations  in  New  Maiket  and  Exeter.  In  (li<- 
latter  place,  on  a  beautiful  green,  the  great  and  good  Whitcdcld 
pren''hcd  his  last  sermon  the  day  I  "'fore  his  death.  To  me  it  seem- 
ed a  consecrated  spot.  The  next  day  I  preached  in  Danville  and 
Haverhill,  Wednesday  evening  in  th(!  Methodist  chapel  in  Lowell, 
the  next  evening  in  the  Metho«list  chapel  in  Boston,  and  the  day 
following  in  Rehoboth  and  Attleborough,  Mass.  During  the  ensu- 
ing eight  days,  I  preached  twelve  sermons  among  the  Rhode  Island 
churcht's,  and  often  felt  the  power  of  (Jod.  Two  churches,  one  in 
Providence,  the  other  in  North  Providence,  which  h.'id  formerly 
received  me  very  kindly,  closed  their  doors  against  me  on  account 
of  my  opposition  to  Free  Masonry.  Th(?se  clmrches  had  Free- 
will Baptist  ministers  for  jjostors,  but  did  not  belong  to  any  denom- 
ination. I  went  out  into  the  street  before  the  houses  of  the  minis- 
ters by  whose  consent  the  doors  of  these  churches  had  been  closed, 
and  according  to  the  Scripture  direction,  wiped  off  the  dust  of  my 
feet  for  a  testimony  against  them.  Having  done  this,  I  left  tho»<c 
places  enjoying  great  peace. 

Monday,  Nov.  21,  we  rode  through  the  length  of  the  island  of  R. 
Island,  a  distance  of  12  miles,  and  were  delighted  with  the  beautiful 
order  of  the  roads,  farms,  fences,  &c.  About  two  hundred  years  had 
passed  since  this  island  was  first  settled,  and  the  general  appear- 
ance of  the  farms  surpassed  any  I  had  before  seen.  In  the  even- 
ing, I  preached  to  a  large  and  attentive  assembly  in  Newport,  and 
the  next  day  left  the  island  in  a  sail  boat.  There  bein^-*  a  heavy 
gale,  the  sea  was  very  rough,  and  the  crossing  dangerous.  In  th»' 
evening,  I  met  an  assembly  in  Pawtucket,  and  the  next  evening 
heard  a  very  interesting  sermon  in  Park  street  church  'tn  Boston, 
from  the  celebrated  revivalist,  Mr.  C.  G.  Finney,  r.  Presbyterian 
minister  from  New  York.  Ilis  text  was,  "I  knew  thee  {.ml  thou 
wast  a  liard  man,  reaping  where  thou  hast  not  sown,  and  gathering; 
where  thou  hast  not  strewed."  He  preached  a  free  salvation,  and 
the  freedom  of  the  human  will  as  strongly  as  any  Free-will  Bap- 
tist I  ever  heard.  Blessed  be  God,  the  popular  orders  are  coming 
to  our  aid. 

Pjissing  through  Newburyport  and  Portsmouth,  I  attended  three 
days  at  a  protracted  meeting  in  Kittery,  Me.  in  accordance  with  a 
previous  engagement,  and  jireached  six  sermons.     The  Lord  bless- 


DAVID  MARKS. 


277 


coming 


pi\  the  meeting,  ftnd  made  it  a  precious  sea-soij.  Between  twenty 
and  thirty  anxious  souls  cani(»  forward  for  prayer,  and  several  pro- 
fessed to  find  peace  in  believing.  Tuesday,  Nov.  20,  I  attended  a 
meeting  at  Great  Falls.  The  Free-will  liaptint  meeting  house 
was  still  closed  against  me,  unless  1  would  promise  that  I  would 
not  preach  against  Masonry,  or  any  thing  else  that  would  "  disturb 
the  harmony  of  society."  So  I  preached  again  in  the  school  house 
to  a  crowded  assembly  with  great  freedom.  The  season  was  very 
impressive.  I  understootl  a  great  part  of  the  Free-will  Baptist 
church  was  present,  and  that  they  were  mu<'h  tried  because  the 
house  of  worship  was  not  opened.  Many,  weeping,  gave  me  their 
hands.  The  day  following,  I  went  to  Kochester,  where  I  under- 
stood the  Methodist  house  was  closed  on  account  of  my  testimony 
against  Free  Masonry.  The  court  house,  however,  was  opened, 
luul  ihe  people  heard  the  word  attentively.  A  revival  was  pro- 
gressing. During  the  remainder  of  the  week,  I  met  five  appoint- 
ments in  Lebanon,  Farmington,  Alton  Bay,  and  Meredith.  In 
these  meetings  several  were  awakened.  l*assing  through  New 
Durham,  we  saw  an  old  meeting  house,  which  we  were  informed 
wafl  the  first  ever  under  the  control  of  Free-will  Baptists.  It  was 
built  originally  for  the  Congregationalists,  but  as  nearly  a"  the  peo- 
l)le  became  Free-will  Baptists,  it  fell  to  them. 

December  4,  we  rode  ten  miles  in  a  tedious  snow  storm  to  Hol- 
dcrness,  where  I  preached  three  sermoui"..  The  next  day,  I  was 
suddenly  seized  with  an  ague  fit,  and  was  immediately  confined  to 
the  bed.  I  had  from  one  to  two  appointments  each  day  for  many 
weeks  to  come,  but  there  was  no  alternative.  I  was  obliged  to 
yield  to  sickness,  and  was  confined  to  ray  bed  for  six  days  with  a 
severe  influenza,  and  endured  much  physical  suffering.  My  com- 
panion was  also  sick  with  the  same  disca,se.  The  brethren  in  IIol- 
derness  were  very  kind,  and  did  many  things  for  us  gladly.  When 
Sabbath,  Dec.  11,  came,  my  soul  was  so  full  that  it  seemed  as  if  I 
could  not  be  denied  the  privilege  of  preaching.  Accordingly,  a 
meeting  was  notified  at  the  house  ;  but  after  I  had  spoken  about 
fifteen  minutes,  my  strength  so  failed  that  I  was  glad  to  take  the 
bed.  Reluctant  to  disappoint  any  congi'egation  that  I  could  meet, 
we  left  Holderness  in  a  covered  sleigh,  the  Tuesday  following, 
contrary  to  the  remonstrances  of  kind  friends,  and  were  enabled, 
without  apparent  injury,  to  reach  my  appointment  the  ensuing  Sab- 
bath in  Hollis,  near  Portland,  Me.  I  had  been  obliged  to  disap- 
point thirteen  assemblies.  The  next  evening  I  commenced  preach- 
ing to  a  congregation  in  "VVaterborough ;  but  after  speaking  a  few 
minutes  was  so  feeble  that  I  was  obliged  to  leave  the  meeting  and 
take  the  bed.  The  day  following,  however,  I  met  with  the  Pub- 
lishing Committee  in  Limerick,  Kiid,  during  the  week,  attended  four 
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appointments.  My  friends  in  Limerick  and  vicinity  received  mc 
with  unusual  joy,  having  heard  that  I  was  dead.  An  individual 
circulated  the  report,  saying  that  he  assisted  in  preparing  my  body 
for  the  coffin,  and  Elder  Place  preached  my  funeral  sermon.  The 
Masons,  I  understood,  received  the  news  with  great  joy.  Jjut, 
thank  God,  I  live,  and  through  grace  1  hope  to  injure  the  kingdom 
of  darkness  still  more. 

Sabbath,  Dec.  18,  I  attended  a  very  interesting  church  confer- 
ence in  Parsonsfield.  Elder  John  Buzzell  stated  that  he  had  been 
in  the  town  more  than  thirty  years,  and  in  the  time  liad  witnessed 
in  it  eleven  revivals — that  several  churches  (I  think  seven)  had 
been  set  off  from  this,  and  still  their  number  was  two  hundred  and 
fifty-seven,  every  one  of  whom  was  in  good  standing  in  the  church. 
My  appointments  now  called  me  toward  Lisbon,  in  the  north  part 
of  New  Hampshire,  where  I  had  allotted  to  myself  the  first  week 
in  January  for  rest.  The  rumor  of  my  death  preceded  me,  and  in 
some  places  people  seemed  almost  frightened,  and  gazed  upon  me 
as  though  they  were  actually  looking  upon  one  that  had  arisen 
from  the  dead.  Large  congregations,  however,  generally  conven- 
ed, and  in  one  instance,  friends  came  the  distance  of  twenty  miles 
to  ascertain  whether  I  was  still  living.  The  travelling  was  exces- 
sively tedious,  as  a  very  deep  snow  had  fallen,  and  the  roads  were 
little  broken,  yet  we  were  enabled  to  reach  Lisbon  in  safety. 

Sabbath,  Jan.  1,  1832.  Thanks  be  to  God  for  the  preservation 
of  our  lives  through  another  year.  How  quickly  has  it  passed ! 
O,  what  have  I  done  for  God !  Of  how  little  use  have  been  my 
feeble  efforts,  compared  to  what  they  might  have  been,  had  I  loved 
God  with  all  my  heart,  and  used  "  all  diligence."  Now  another 
year  has  begun.  How  shall  I  spend  it,  should  it  please  my  Heav- 
enly Father  to  spare  my  life  ?  Lord,  help  me  to  devote  every  mo- 
ment to  thee,  and  with  an  undivided  heart  submit  myself  entirely, 
soul,  body,  and  spirit,  to  thy  most  holy  work.  Do  thou,  O  my 
blessed  Master,  teach  me  and  help  me  to  win  souls  to  thee  and 
thee  only.  Amen.  The  meeting  house  in  Lisbon  was  this  day 
crowded  to  overflowing,  and  the  Lord  gave  me  a  message  to  the 
people.  Since  the  commencement  of  the  revival  in  June  preced- 
ing, more  than  two  hundred  had  united  with  the  church,  and  the 
work  had  spread  into  the  adjacent  towns,  till  it  was  thought  that 
five  hundred  had  "  passed  from  death  unto  life."  About  the  mid- 
dle of  this  week,  not  having  fully  recovered  from  my  sickness,  I 
took  a  violent  cold  from  sleeping  in  damp  sheets,  and  for  the  first 
time  wad  attacked  with  rheumatism.  As  exercise  was  prescribed 
for  an  antidote,  I  passed  the  remainder  of  the  week  in  usual  activ- 
ity, preaching  some  and  visiting  some. 

Sabbath,  Jan.  8,  my  appointments  for  two  months  commenced, 


^w 


\\\ 


DAVID    MARKS. 


279 


oxtending  through  the  south-east  and  east  part  of  New  ITamp- 
shire,  and  a  part  of  Maine,  then  in  three  weeks  back  to  Lisbon, 
and  thence  down  through  Vermont.  Althougli  my  disorder  had 
become  very  severe,  yet  exercise  having  been  constantly  prescrib- 
ed as  tht.  best  remedy,  I  conchided  to  endeavor  to  attend  my  ap- 
pointments. I  was  carried  to  the  meeting  house  in  Lisbon,  and, 
sitting  in  a  chair,  spoke  more  than  an  hour  to  about  five  hundred 
people.  Two  brethren  then  accompanied  me  to  Bath,  fifteen  miles. 
When  we  arrived,  I  was  carried  into  a  house  almost  helpless.  I 
felt  so  ill  that  it  seemed  to  me  I  could  not  sit  up  any  longer ;  but 
as  a  large  concourse  had  assembled,  brethren  urged  my  being  car- 
ried to  the  house  of  worship,  saying,  if  I  could  speak  five  minutes, 
the  people  would  feel  satisfied.  I  finally  assented,  and  being  set 
down,  preached  an  hour  w^ith  very  solemn  feelings.  After  meeting 
I  was  laid  upon  a  bed,  and  it  was  now  no  longer  a  subject  of  query 
whether  I  should  proceed  to  my  appointments.  A  violent  rheu- 
matic fever  had  fastened  on  my  system,  and  for  six  days  I  was  en- 
tirely helpless ;  some  of  the  time  unable  to  move  even  a  finger. 
Until  now  I  had  never  known  pain.  The  least  movement  produced 
the  most  excruciating  distress,  and  yet  I  could  not  lie  long  in  one 
position  without  fainting.  Some  of  the  time  it  took  six  or  seven  to 
take  care  of  me.  Finally,  by  keeping  my  system  in  a  state  of  con- 
stant perspiration,  and  the  use  of  Dr.  Jenning's  spirit  vapor  bath, 
I  became  relieved,  and  the  sixth  day  turned  myself  in  bed.  I 
amended  so  rapidly,  that  in  three  days  I  could  stand ;  in  three 
more  I  walked  a  few  steps,  and  in  the  evening  preached  three 
quarters  of  an  hour  to  a  considerable  number  who  assembled  in 
my  room.     In  this  sickness,  I  enjoyed  the  sweetest  consolations. 

Saturday,  Jan.  21,  I  rode  to  Coventry,  and  preached,  sitting, 
nearly  an  hour.  Sabbath,  I  spoke  to  a  very  crowded  assembly  at 
Swift  Water  village,  in  Bath,  and  the  next  day,  about  two  weeks 
from  my  first  confinement,  I  accompanied  two  brethren  to  Lisbon, 
who  came  to  assist  me  in  returning  to  that  place.  During  the 
week  I  attended  three  meetings,  and  on  the  Sabbath  preached  an 
ordination  sermon.  The  time  for  my  appointments,  leading  from 
Lisbon  through  Vermont,  had  now  come ;  but,  being  too  feeble  to 
journey  and  preach  daily,  I  engaged  a  minister  to  go  in  my  stead 
eight  days,  and  in  the  mean  time  I  attended  his  appointments  in 
Lisbon. 

Tuesday,  Feb.  C.  Thinking  that  my  health  was  now  so  much 
recovered  that  with  care  and  prudence  I  could  safely  travel,  and 
tlie  interests  of  the  infant  Book  Concern  loudly  demanding  my  ac- 
tive efforts,  I  again  resumed  travelling,  accompanied  by  my  com- 
panion, and  taking  with  me  a  brother  to  wait  upon  me.  On  this 
day,  though  the  road  was  hilly  and  the  snow  path  little  broken,  we 


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280 


MEMOIRS    OF 


fej: 


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rode  forty  miles,  and  I  preached  at  evening,  and  next  day  spoke  to 
two  congregations  without  fatigue.  Thursday  evening,  I  preached 
in  Washington  in  a  cold  house,  though  I  had  taken  the  precaution 
to  request  that  it  be  well  warmed.  During  my  sermoii  I  was  seiz- 
ed with  chills.  I  soon  felt  a  return  of  rheumatic  pains,  and  passed 
the  night  in  distress.  The  next  day,  I  rode  twenty  miles  to  Col. 
Arnold's  in  Randolph,  and  preached  at  evening.  Saturday  and 
Sabbath,  I  preached  in  the  same  place,  when  my  complaint  so  re- 
turned upon  me  that  I  was  again  confined  to  my  bed.  I  now 
recalled  my  appointments,  and  determined  to  give  out  no  more  till 
my  health  became  more  firm.  The  use  of  Dr.  Jenning's  bath 
again  relieved  me  from  i)ain,  and  while  I  was  indulging  hopes  of  a 
speedy  recovery,  suddenly  my  mind  became  confused,  my  memory 
was  gone,  and  soon  I  was  insensible.  When  I  was  again  conscious, 
I  saw  that  my  room  was  full  of  people  who  were  weeping.  I  con- 
cluded that  I  had  been  deranged,  and  had  now  recovered  ray  senses 
just  before  I  was  to  die.  Recognizing  my  companion,  who  was 
standing  by  me,  pale  and  trembling,  I  obtained  from  her  a  promise 
that  she  would  trust  in  the  Lord,  and  took  my  leave  of  her,  expect- 
ing in  a  few  moments  to  be  in  the  "  spirit-land."  The  query  now 
rushed  upon  me,  '  how  have  I  spent  my  time  since  I  was  called  in- 
to the  ministry  ?'  '  Have  I  done  the  work  of  the  Lord  faithfully  ?' 
Instantly,  my  testimony  against  Free  Masonry,  for  which  I  had 
suffered  most,  and  then  my  v;  bole  life  passed  in  review  before  me ; 
and,  O  the  sweet  peace,  the  heavenly  rapture,  that  ravished  my 
soul.  My  blessed  Lord  was  my  witness  that  I  had  never  failed  to 
preach  a  sermon,  that  I  thought  was  my  duty  to  preach,  neither 
shunned  to  declare  his  counsel  against  every  thing  that  affected  the 
welfare  of  souls,  however  contrary  it  had  been  to  the  feelings  of  my 
dear  bretlu*en.  Looking  out  of  the  window,  the  snow-white  fields 
of  Vermont  seemed  to  blaze  with  the  glory  of  God,  and  my  tongue 
was  unloosed  to  declare  his  amazing  goodness.  Some  present,  who 
doubted  the  reality  of  religion,  I  understood,  had  their  hearts 
touched.  In  half  an  hour,  however,  I  was  as  well  as  before  this 
attack,  and  from  this  time  gained  rapidly.  As  in  other  places 
where  I  had  been  sick,  so  in  this  place.  Christian  friends  seemed  to 
know  no  weariness  in  their  kind  attentions.  How  often  has  God 
verified  to  me  the  promise,  "  He  that  hath  left  house,  or  home,  or 

brethren,  or  sisters,  or  father,  or  mother for  my  name's  sake. 

shall  receive  a  hundred  fold  in  this  life." 

About  this  time  Mr.  Marks  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Beede, 
his  ever  watchful  friend,  partly  on  the  subject  of  health,  which 
awakened  his  attention  somewhat  to  the  study  of  physiology.  He 
wrote : 


DAVID    MARKS. 


281 


Dear  Brother, 

*  *  *  *  jj  rejoices  me  to  hear  of  your  improved 
state  of  health.  Previous  to  your  last  communication,  much  anxi- 
ety had  been  indulged  in  regard  to  your  recovery,  'vvhich  is  now 
measurably  relieved,  I  thank  the  Lord  for  his  unmerited  kindness 
in  raising  yon  up  again  for  a  help  to  Zion.  That  a  life  of  useful- 
ness may  be  long  continued  to  you,  has  been  my  earnest  desii-e, 
especially  as  the  church  is  in  so  much  need  of  your  labors.  With 
a  view  to  this,  I  have  wished  that  you  might  be  relieved  from  th<i; 
corpulent  habit  of  body  to  which  you  hav^;  been  considerably  in- 
clined. If  no  exuberancy  of  flesh  Avere  attached  to  your  system, 
you  would  be  less  liable  to  disease,  not  so  susceptible  of  fatigue 
through  your  labors,  nor  so  much  disposed  to  premature  decay  of 
the  constitution.  Obesity  may  readily  be  reduced  without  endan- 
gering health.  It  only  requires  a  regular  systematic  regimen  in 
diet,  sleep,  and  exercise.  Very  apanng  indulgence  in  meats,  drinks, 
and  sleep,  with  much  exercise,  will  seldom  fail  to  reduce  effectu- 
ally the  most  corpulent,  and  will  secure  an  acquisition  of  health, 
strength,  and  vigor,  both  of  body  and  mind.  Sudden  changes,  how- 
ever, must  not  be  resorted  to ;  but  a  gradual  reduction  of  the  sub- 
stantial amount  of  food,  drink,  &c.  This  might  be  accomplished 
without  extremely  painful  sensations,  by  reducing  first  the  qiiality 
rather  than  the  quantity  of  food  ;  that  is,  by  taking  the  same  bulk, 
but  a  less  nutritious  kind.  For  instance,  grains  instead  of  flesh — 
esculent  roots  instead  of  bread — the  coarser  and  simpler  dishes  of 
every  kind  instead  of  those  more  richly  prepared.  The  more 
coarse  and  simple  the  better,  not  only  for  the  corpulent  but  for 
others.  For  want  of  some  such  attention  to  abstinence,  disorders 
of  mind  and  body  must  inevitably  ensue.  First  in  the  train  of 
consequences,  are  stupidity  of  mind,  languor,  deficiencies  in  the  di- 
gestive and  perspiratory  functions,  including  colds,  inflamed  lungs, 
and  the  entire  families  of  dyspepsies  and  liver  affections.  In  reg- 
ular succession,  follow  fevers,  a  numerous  class  of  nervous  disor- 
ders, with  unnumbered  other  evils — lastly,  premature  derange- 
ments of  both  bodily  and  mental  faculties,  premature  advances  of 
old  age  and  of  death.  For  more  than  half  the  evils  of  disease, 
man  may  doubtless  justly  consider  himself  indebted  to  his  own 
abuse  of  meats  and  drinks,  and  for  a  large  portion  of  the  other 
half,  to  abuse  of  sleep,  clothing  and  exercise.  *  *  *  *  I  con- 
sider occasional  attacks  of  illness  inseparable  from  the  course  of 
life  that  duty  points  out  for  you  to  pursue  ;  yet  I  do  firmly  believe 
that  you  might  adopt  an  improvement  in  your  habits  of  living  and 
of  exercise,  for  instance,  subjecting  yourself  to  less  exposures, 
which  Avould  gi'eatly  promote  unimpaired  health,  vigor  and  strength 
of  mind,  serve  to  continue  your  life  much  longer,  and  gi'eatly  in- 

24* 


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282 


MEMOIRS    OF 


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crease  the  amount  of  your  usefulness  in  tlie  cause  of  God.     *     * 

Since  we  pai'ted,  I  have  been  afflicted  with  an  influenza.  I  am 
now  approaching  to  heaUh  of  bo<ly,  thougli  hiboring  under  much 
depression  and  discouragement  of  mind.  When  the  elements  com- 
bine in  disorder  and  seize  my  mental  faculties  with  ennui — when 
all  the  passing  events  of  moral  agencies  and  the  thousand  circum- 
stances attendant  on  life's  concerns,  apparently  conspire  against 
me,  and  forbid  any  prospect  of  usefulness,  either  to  myself  or  oth- 
ers, despondency  and  weariness  of  a  life  so  unprofitable,  prey  on 
all  my  mortal  powers  with  a  very  unhappy  effect.  Frequent  days, 
weeks,  and  months  have  I  passed,  and  still  do  ptiss  in  such  frames. 
Look  at  ray  own  heart — all  is  to  be  done.  Look  at  a  perishing 
world  of  fellow  sinners,  dying  for  lack  of  knowledge — infinite  la- 
bors are  needed  for  their  salvation,  yet  I  am  feeble  in  body,  and 
sorely  pressed  with  poverty.  Look  on  Zion — behold  her  desolate, 
divided  within  herself,  distracted  with  false  doctrines,  seduced  by 
the  transformations  of  satan  under  the  guise  of  the  ministers  of 
Christ ;  and  so  long  practiced  in  tampering  with  error's  drugs,  that 
her  stomach  loathes  medicine  from  the  true  Physician,  and  cannot, 
will  not,  bear  a  healthy  regimen.  Good  Lord !  exclaims  my  heart, 
why  hast  thou  given  my  eyes  to  see  these  things,  since  I  can  in  no 
wise  remedy  them  ?  My  heart  is  willing,  but  all  else  presents  an 
impenetrable  barrier  to  usefulness  on  my  part.  Lord,  I  am  sick 
of  the  world — sick  of  life — weary  with  myself — weary  with  all 
things  but  thee  and  thy  saints — thy  undefiled  saints.  I  have  none 
but  God  in  heaven  or  earth,  to  alleviate  my  woes  by  bearing  a 
part.  I  have  none,  when  absent  from  you,  to  be  a  partner  in  swet  t 
counsel,  and  in  holy  friendship.     *     *     * 

I  hope  I  have  an  interest  in  your  prayers,  for  none  are  morf- 
needy.     Farewell.  Yours  in  love, 

S.  Beede. 

Mr.  Marks  replied  as  follows. 

Tunbridge,  Vt.  Sat.  Feb.  25,  1832. 
My  Dear  Brother, 

Mrs.  Marks  wrote  you  from  Randolph,  but  I  was  so  ill 
that  I  knew  little  that  she  wrote.  My  relapse  confined  me  in  Ran- 
dolph thirteen  days.  I  came  here  yesterday,  and  have  preached 
one  short  discourse  sitting  in  a  chair.  For  a  week  past,  I  have 
suffered  little  pain,  but  I  remain  very  weak,  and  can  bear  little  ex- 
posure. I  have  felt  great  anxiety  for  the  denomination — for  the 
Book  Concern — ^for  my  printing  debts  at  Limerick  and  Portland, 
and  particularly  for  my  brother  Samuel,  since  he  has  given  up  all 
to  serve  the  cause  of  Christ.    I  thought  it  needful  that  I  use  alf 


DAVID   MARKS. 


283 


>..:M'i-k 


diligence,  and  lose  no  time,  particularly  on  account  of  the  hymn 
book  and  on  your  account.  But  I  have  been  compelled  to  yield  as 
one  whose  health  is  gone,  and  whoso  constitution  is  for  the  present 
worn  down,  if  not  worn  out.  .Somijlimes,  I  have  turned  my  face 
to  the  wall  and  wept ;  but  in  general  I  \\i\\c  felt  sweet  composure 
in  saying,  "  The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done."  My  heavenly  Fath- 
er knows  what  is  best.  In  these  seasons  of  weeping  I  have 
thought,  O  that  I  could  see  brother  Samuel.  But  \\w  reflection 
that  you  were  engaged  for  the  interests  of  Zion,  reconciled  me  to 
endure  the  long  separation  till  it  shall  please  God  to  bring  us  to- 
gether. 

I  think  it  ray  duty  to  listen  now  to  the  repeated  advice  I  have 
had  for  years  to  be  more  watchful  in  the  care  of  my  health.  If 
this  does  not  turn  to  my  recovery,  the  will  of  the  Loi-d  be  done. 
Though  I  have  been  an  unprofitable  servant,  through  tlie  grace  of 
God,  I  believe  I  can  say  in  truth,  •'  I  am  pure  from  the  blood  of 
all  men."  Since  my  turns  of  severe  illness  this  winter,  I  have  sev- 
eral times  thought  I  might  not  recover ;  but,  blessed  be  God,  in 
tlie  clearest  views  of  my  departure,  I  have  felt  sweet  consolation 
in  the  firm  confidence  that  I  have  preached  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus,  and  that  I  have  received  from  God  that  preaching  for  which 
I  have  been  most  persecuted,  particularly  my  testimony  against 
Free  Masonry,  and  against  the  spirit  of  pride  and  worldly  popu- 
larity, which  so  much  prevail  in  the  church.     *     *     * 

Your  letter  is  just  received.  It  is  as  cold  water  to  the  thirsty 
soul,  and  has  much  increased  my  anxiety  to  see  you.  Youradvi-.-e 
with  respect  '^o  dieting  is  very  acceptable,  and  I  have  about  come 
to  the  conclusion  to  take  up  my  cross  and  follow  it.  As  to  a  lit- 
erary institution,  I  wish  one  might  be  established,  and  I  will  do  all 
in  my  power  consistently  to  forward  it.  It  is  now  near  meeting 
time ;  I  intend  to  ride  about  sixty  rods,  and  sit  and  preach  once. 
I  hardly  feel  as  well  as  I  did  yesterday,  but  if  very  careful  I  hope 
I  shall  get  along  without  another  confinement. 

I  feel  very  thankful  to  God  for  the  kindness  he  has  shown  us  as 
a  people  in  sending  brother  Samuel  to  our  help.  IVIy  open  manner 
must  have  conveyed  to  you  an  idea  of  the  esteem  I  have  for  your 
talents  and  piety.  While  I  have  observed  your  humility,  I  have 
felt  almost  as  though  it  was  impossible  that  pride  should  ever  stain 
your  soul,  or  success  elate  your  heart.  I  believe  you  have  a  mind 
above  such  folly.  Still  I  know  your  probation  is  not  ended,  and 
neither  you  nor  I  have  passed  beyond  temptations,  dark,  deceitful, 
powerful.  If  you  continue  humble,  and  maintain  a  holy,  fervent 
breathing  after  God,  and  lean  not  to  your  own  understanding,  but 
lean  upon  him  that  is  Almighty,  I  doubt  not  but  that  you  will  be 
more  useful  than  any  man  that  God  has  raised  up  among  us.     0, 


''■M. 


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284 


MEMOIRS    OP 


watch  and  pray.  Pray  for  us  that  we  may  walk  carefully  boforo 
God  and  before  all  m  mi,  that  the  cause  be  not  blamed.  Let  ur  do 
all  thin*(s  with  great  humility,  patience,  forbearance,  and  charity, 
for  in  this  day  of  schisms  it  is  needful  that  we  have  in  exer- 
cise all  the  Christian  virtues.     Farewell. 

Your  affectionate  brother  in  Christ, 

D.  Marks. 

Journal.  "  I  left  Randolph,  and  till  the  early  part  )f  April  was 
engaged  in  preaching  mostly  in  New  IIam})shire,  in  ihose  places 
where  my  sickness  had  obliged  me  to  disappoint  congregations. 
The  intervals  were  employed  in  writing  to  correspondents,  in  get- 
ting subscribers  for  the  new  hymn  book,  and  in  laboring  in  various 
ways  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  Book  Concern.  I  had  to  trav- 
el slowly,  as  my  strength  would  bear,  and  preach  sitting  in  a  chair. 
In  Alexandria,  where  I  preached  the  May  previous  with  sucli 
views  of  the  worth  of  the  soul,  [see  page  2o8,]  I  found  to  my  great 
joy  that  about  twenty  had  been  converted,  several  of  whom  dated 
their  awakening  at  that  meeting.  Until  now,  1  had  not  heard  of 
any  fruits  from  that  sermon ;  but  I  had  thought  if  there  Avere  not, 
it  would  be  strange  indeed.  At  Great  Falls,  the  meeting  house 
was  opened  to  me,  the  church  having  sent  me  a  Avritten  recjuest  to 
preach  in  it.     Thank  God,  for  the  victory  of  right  principles." 

The  followiug  are  extracts  from  his  letters,  written  during  this 
period,  taken  from  copies  kept  in  his  possession. 

Dear  sister  Gibbs, 

Last  evening  we  gladly  received  a  letter  from  you,  and 
although  it  brought  tidings  of  such  afflictions  as  are  frequent  in  the 
church  militant,  we  rejoiced  to  hear  from  you.  Your  letter  brought 
to  our  remembrance  the  sweet  hours  we  have  enjoyed  under  your 
roof. 

With  regard  to  your  inquiries  concerning  the  doctrine  of  sancti- 
fication,  you  say  you  have  been  told  that  Free-will  Baptists  do  not 
b(;lieve  in  it.  This  statement,  witliout  any  qualification,  is  certain- 
ly incorrect ;  for  we  believe,  or  at  lea^t  profess  to  believe,  all  the 
doctrine  which  the  Scriptures  teach,  and  none  can  deny  that  this 
doctrine  is  taught  in  the  Bible.  Sanctification  signifies,  first,  to 
separate  and  appoint  any  thing  to  a  holy  .and  religious  use.  God 
sanctified  the  seventh  day,  also  the  first  born  of  Israel,  and  thus 
the  temple,  the  priests,  the  garments,  the  altars,  the  sacrifices,  and 
all  the  cups,  basins,  and  other  furniture  of  the  temple  were  sancti- 
fied. Again,  it  signifies  to  cleanse  a  sinner  from  the  pollution  of 
sin,  to  free  him  from  its  power,  and  give  him  a  holy  principle  of 
love  to  God  and  his  creatures,  and  fit  him  for  holy  use.  The  doc- 
trine of  sanctification  signifies  being  made  holy.    But  there  are  do- 


DAVID    MARKS. 


285 


grces  in  this  work,  or  Paul  would  not  have  prayed  God  to  suncti- 
fy  his  Thessalonian  brethren  wholly.  1  The«s.  5:23.  1  believe 
every  Christian  may  he  entirely  .sanctifii:d  in  this  life  ;  yea,  I  may 
?ay  further,  that  it  is  the  duty  and  j)rivilej;e  of  every  saint  to  ob- 
tain the  entire  victory  over  all  :  in,  and  that  in  whatever  propor- 
tion a  soul  approaches  toward  perfection,  in  the  same  degree  he 
approaches  towards  entire  sanctification.  Christ  commands  us  to 
be  perfect.  Matt.  5:48.  None  but  infidels  dare  charj^e  him  with 
having  given  a  grievous  command.  Thoushalt  love  the  Lord  with 
all  thy  heart,  is  a  requirement  of  the  gospel,  and  it  is  tlie  blessed 
j)rivilege  of  the  saint  to  obey  the  sacred  injuction.  If  we  do,  we  shall 
then  be  sanctified  wholly.  Would  to  God  that  Christians  would 
more  generally  strive  for  this  attainment.  If  they  did,  what  hum- 
ble and  happy  Christians  should  we  S(3e  in  our  congregations.  * 
*     *  Yours  in  Christ, 

D.  Marks. 

[To  Elder  Thomas  Parker,  Penfield.] 

Fishersfield,  N.  II.  March  5,  1832. 
Dear  Brother  Parker, 

How  I  wish  I  could  come  and  see  you.  The  time  seems 
long  since  we  parted ;  but,  through  the  grace  of  God,  I  am  still 
your  unworthy  brother  in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  Jesus 
Christ.  Though  I  stay  long  in  New  England,  I  know  I  love  my 
brethren  in  New  York  as  well  as  I  ever  did.  Sometimes  I  fancy 
myself  at  your  house,  talking  with  you  and  sister  Parker,  and  the 
dear  children,  as  in  former  days  ;  then  I  am  at  brother  Conant's 
and  all  about  in  Penfield  among  my  Father's  children.  Next  I 
am  over  to  Walworth,  at  my  dear  brother  Lyon's,  and  then  again 
down  in  North  Penfield  at  brotlicr  Cole's,  whose  house  seems  ren- 
dered almost  sacred  by  the  good  meetings  we  have  had  there.  But 
presently  I  find  myself  five  hundred  miles  distant,  and  likely  to  be 
for  some  months  to  come ;  and  here  I  am  fighting  against  the  un- 
scriptural  practices  that  are  corrupting  the  church,  and  almost  con- 
stantly getting  more  enemies  than  friends.  But  ;i*'sscd  be  God, 
though  the  time  has  come  that  many  will  not  he  "sound  doc- 
trine," my  plain  preaching  has  not  rendered  me  so  odious,  that  any 
more  than  "  all  men"  have  spoken  evil  of  me.  Another  thing, 
brother  Parker,  I  feel  to  thank  the  blessed  Savior  for,  and  this  is, 
that  he  has  so  strengthened  me  and  set  my  face  against  Babylon 
and  all  her  bewitching  furniture,  that  the  loss  of  my  interest,  or 
honor,  or  popularity  for  Christ's  sake,  seems  no  more  to  me  than  a 
bubble — a  phantom.  By  the  grace  of  God,  I  am  determined  that 
I  will  not  ask  leave  of  men  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God 
against  all  the  abominations  that  are  done  in  the  earth.     0,  my 


\ 


■;•>' 


'(-5"  n       Si 


2ft6 


MKMOTTIS    OF 


dear  brother,  do  be  faithful  in  tho  holy  ministry,  whcronnto  you 
are  called,  and  preach  plain,  pointed,  pim{)le,  Holy  Ghost  truth,  and 
may  (iod  bless  you  abundantly.  I'lease  fi;ivc  my  warm  respcets  to 
all  the  brethren.  May  they  be  humble  and  holy.  I  am  thine  in 
the  gospel,  David  Marks. 

[To  his  brother  Ives  Marks,] 

My  dear  brother, 

*  *  *  Great  was  our  joy  on  hearing  of  y 'ur  firm  reso- 
lution to  live  in  the  service  of  our  <lear  Redeemer.  Wc  trust  you 
are  steadfast  in  the  blessed  truth  of  the  gospel,  "  for  he  that  wa- 
vcreth  is  like  a  wave  of  the  sea,"  tossed  with  the  tempest.  Noth- 
ing can  be  accomplished  well  without  steady  perseverance  ;  and 
we  can  never  be  established  Christians,  and  shine  as  lights  in  the 
world,  unless  we  "  dig  deep  and  build  on  the  rock."  We  must  be 
rooted  and  grounded  in  the  truth,  insomuch  that  interest,  honor, 
ease,  or  anything  in  this  world,  shall  not,  on  any  occasion,  inter- 
fere to  turn  us  from  duty.  Self  must  be  denied  and  our  will  sub- 
dued, so  that  on  every  occasion  we  shall  be  ready  to  do  anything 
the  Lord  requires  of  us.  That  our  obedience  may  be  acceptable, 
it  is  needful  that  we  be  always  resolved  to  obey  the  Lord  immedi- 
ately, and  never  put  off  the  duty  of  to-day  until  to-morrow.  * 
*  *  I  would  rather  be  an  liumble  Christian  than  to  be  mon- 
arch of  the  world,  for  by  this  I  should  be  ten  millions  of  times 
better  off.  A  monarch  of  a  world,  if  he  had  notliing  more,  would 
be  unhappy  still,  and  would  have  to  leave  it  all  in  seventy  or  eigh- 
ty years  at  the  farthest,  and  then,  alas  !  he  would  be  a  poor  man  : 
while  I  should  enjoy  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  all  the  days 
of  my  life,  be  they  many  or  few,  and  then,  glory  to  God,  I  should 
go  to  possess  an  immortal  and  eternal  inheritance — an  unfading 
treasure.  So  I  am  resolved  to  be  a  whole  hearted  Christian,  in- 
side and  out,  at  home  and  abroad,  in  public  and  private.  I  know 
God  will  help  me,  for  without  him  I  can  do  nothing.  May  the 
Lord  strengthen  and  bless  you  and  enable  you  to  withstand  every 
temptation,  and  ever  bear  the  cross  of  the  dear  Redeemer.  Then 
shall  the  light  of  Christ  illumine  your  way — the  Holy  Spirit  lead 
and  guide  you  into  all  truth.  I  have  found  it  useful  to  allot  to  my- 
self a  certain  portion  of  Scripture  to  read  every  day,  and  have 
made  it  a  rule  to  commit  to  memory  five  or  six  verses  daily.  I 
have  also  made  it  a  constant  practice  to  kneel  and  pray  three  times 
every  day,  as  David  says,  "  Morning  and  evening,  and  at  noon, 
will  I  pray  and  cry  aloud."  Should  you  adopt  the  same  ndes,  I 
doubt  nuc  but  you  would  find  them  very  serviceable.  If  you  should 
learn  five  verses  daily  in  the  New  Testament,  you  would  commit 
it  to  memory  in  four  or  five  yeai'S.     And  though  you  may  forget 


1 

I 


DAVID    MARKS. 


287 


^0  as  not  to  be  able  to  rucitfi  it  vorbatiin,  still  you  would  gain  a 
p;rout  knowledge  of  the  doctrine  of  the  liible.  May  the  Lord  pre- 
serve you  blameless  to  hip    oining  and  kingdom. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

David  Marks, 


[To  Elder  Juuia  S.  Mowry,  R.  I,] 


April  5,  1832. 
My  dear  brother  Junia, 

*  *  *  I  was  glad  to  hear  that  you  .'U'o  yet  willing  to  spend 
your  time  in  publishing  the  glad  tidings  of  the  gospel,  and  in  try- 
ing to  persuade  souls  to  llee  from  the  wrath  to  come.  This  em- 
ployment is  truly  more  noble,  glorious,  and  honorable,  than  to  dwell 
in  king's  courts,  or  sit  in  the  high  places  of  the  eartli.  Though  a 
man  suffer  the  loss  of  all  things  here,  and  among  men  be  account- 
ed the  offscouring  of  all  things,  yet  if  he  be  a  chosen  vessel  of  the 
Lord,  and  God  make  him  instrumental  of  saving  souls,  he  is  truly 
more  favored  than  the  princes  of  the  earth.  Yes,  I  consider  your 
calling  more  honorable  than  to  be  a  successful  candidate  for  tlic 
Presidency  of  the  United  States.  O  that  neither  you  nor  I  rauy 
ever  adapt  our  discourses  to  suit  the  society  we  are  in,  whether  their 
views,  spirit,  and  practice  are  according  to  the  word  of  God  or 
not.  O  Juuia,  make  full  proof  of  your  ministry.  You  remark 
tliat  you  had  great  trials  the  winter  past  respecting  the  wants  of 
Zion.  This  is  a  good  sign.  When  the  heart  of  man  is  opened  to- 
wai'd  the  church,  and  he  feels  pained  at  her  sorrows,  this  is  an  in- 
timation tliat  God  desires  to  use  him  for  the  publishing  of  peace  to 
the  humble  in  spirit,  and  to  pronounce  a  wo  from  God  to  those 
who  are  at  ease  in  Zion.  We  may  yet  rejoice,  for  the  Maker  of 
Zion  is  the  Almighty.  He  will  soon  "  lay  her  foundations  with 
sapphires,"  "  her  stones  with  fair  colors."  "  Her  windows  shall  be 
set  in  agates,  and  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord  shall  retiuTi  and  come 
to  Zion  with  songs  and  everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads :  they  shall 
obtain  joy  and  gladness,  and  sorrow  and  sighing  shall  flee  away." 
Go  on,  my4)rother,  and  spend  your  life  for  the  prosperity  of  the 
Redeemer's  kingdom;  so  he  that  owns  all  earth  and  heaven  shall 
reward  you  a  hundred  fold  in  your  own  bosom,  and  give  you  eter- 
nal life  besides.  Need  we  envy  the  nobles  of  this  world,  while  we 
have  such  a  Savior  and  such  promises  ?  No,  we  have  an  assurance 
of  unsearchable  riches. 

You  wish  me  to  examine  often  and  see  whether  I  am  in  the 
fsttth.  I  thank  you  for  this.  Such  exhortations  and  watchings 
over  my  soul  prove  to  m^e  who  are  my  friends.     *     * 

Yours  affectiOTia^ly. 

David  Marks. 


^}\   -»"ii"U':>^« 


i'    v; 


".I'll 


Ml 


288 


MKMOIRS    OF 


M 


[To  ITowpII  lloarn,  minister  of  the  flcnoral  Dnptists  in  North  Carolina] 

April  12,  1H32. 
Dear  lirotlnr, 

Your  comnumicution  of  March  5,  was  rocoivod  a  few  days 
since  and  perused  with  much  thankfulness  and  comfort.  I  felt  to 
thank  (iod  for  that  hlesseil  unitiiif?  tie  which  binds  those  toj^ether 
who  never  saw  each  otlu'r  in  the  flesh.  This  is  a  bond  of  union 
sweeter  than  life  and  stron;:;er  than  dejith.  If  its  enjoyment  is  so 
pleasant  in  this  worhl,  O  wliat  will  it  be,  when  it  becomes  complet- 
ed, when  no  more  it  is  chilled  by  our  imperfections,  nor  elogj^ed  by 
the  clods  of  flesh.  While  iniquity  abounds,  many  turn  after  the 
friendship  of  the  world  an<l  their  love  grows  cold.  But  if  we 
would  b(?  counted  worthy  to  appear  with  the  Lamb  in  his  kingdom 
and  glory,  we  "  must  follow  him  whithersoever  he  goeth."  If  thus 
we  do,  lie  will  lead  us  not  to  a  barren  waste,  but  to  living  fountain!? 
where  joy  is  complete,  and  where  there  arc  treasures  forevermore. 

The  general  state  of  religion  in  these  northern  states  during  the 
preceding  year  has  been  very  good.  There  has  been,  perhaps,  as 
much  revival  in  these  states  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  inhab- 
itants, as  there  has  been  for  a  year  in  any  country,  since  our  bless- 
ed Savior  and  his  apostles  preached  in  Palestine  and  Asia  Minor. 
At  present,  however,  there  seems  to  be  a  decline.  Among  Free- 
will Baptists  as  well  as  among  other  denominations  there  are  ma- 
ny refreshing  seasons.  Still  there  is  a  great  lack  of  engagedness, 
for  Christians  ought  to  love  the  Lord  with  all  the  heart.  We  have 
had  a  very  tedious  winter.  The  snow  fell  in  November,  and  still  there 
is  a  great  body  of  it  on  the  earth.  In  some  places,  where  I  have 
travelled  in  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont,  the  snow  was  four  feet 
deep  on  a  level,  and  near  Franconia,  N.  II.,  I  understood  it  was 
six  feet  and  in  some  places  eight  feet  deep  on  a  level.  Only  three 
weeks  since,  I  saw  the  road  full,  even  with  the  tops  of  the  fences 
for  many  miles.  *  *  *  #  Finally,  brother,  farewell.  Pray 
for  us,  that  the  word  of  the  Lord  may  have  free  course  and  be  glo- 
rified. Your  affectionate  brother  in  Christ. 

David  Marks. 

Journal.  "  The  latter  part  of  March  I  received  notice  that  the 
copy  for  the  hymn  book  would  soon  be  ready  for  publication  and 
the  interest  of  the  Book  Concern  required  that  it  should  not  be  de- 
layed. Many  embarrassments  lay  in  my  way.  In  consequence  of 
my  sickness,  I  had  obtained  few  subscribers  and  my  expenses  and 
consequent  losses  had  been  about  two  hundred  dollars.  The  Book 
Concern  had  no  funds.  Brethren  dared  not  lend  me  money,  or 
undersign  my  notes  as  they  considered  the  whole  attempt  hazard- 
ous, and  my  health  remained  very  poor.     I  could  only  lay  my  case 


•*>} 


DAVID    MARKS. 


289 


hoforc  Iliin  for  whom  I  had  oJip^jifrod  in  this  cntorprisc,  promising 
if  He  would  ojM  II  llio  way,  to  brave  every  difrienhy.  As  tlie 
hymn  hook  was  to  h(^  a  staiuhird  work,  it  was  imj)ortant  that  it 
slioidd  he  stereotypt'd.  Aeoorditiply  1  went  from  Ilohh-rness  to 
Boston  in  two  days  and  a  halt",  throujj^h  bad  roads  and  inelrment 
weather,  to  see  what  eould  be  done.  Being  a  stranger,  I  iouiid  af- 
ter repeated  trials  that  I  could  do  nothing  to  any  advantagf^  with- 
out funds.  'I'hc  sale  of  my  "  Narrative"  had  b(M'n  nvich  more 
ready  than  I  antieipat«'d,  and  T  had  now  with  me  1^200,  received 
from  that  source  above  th(!  cost  of  p«d)lication.  Hy  paying  tliis  in 
rulvance,  I  eould  get  the  stereotyping  done  foi  forty-two  dollars  less 
than  I  coidd  do  otherwise.  So  1  took  this  step,  not  knowing  what 
door  would  next  o[M!n.  1  h-fl  the  city  almost  discouraged,  stopped 
in  Charlestown,  and  retired  to  bed,  but  not  to  sleep.  The  night 
was  passed  in  much  anxious  reflection  and  prayer.  At  length,  the 
following  scrip  of  personal  history  occurred  to  mind,  which  I  had 
heard  months  before  respecting  Mr.  John  K.  Simpson,  President 
of  a  bank  in  Boston.  When  he  was  young  lie  lived  in  New 
Ilampsliire,  and  was  a  Free-will  Baptist.  Wliile  yet  a  lad,  he 
went  to  Boston,  poor  and  almost  penniless.  As  he  was  passing 
Charlestown  bridge  (which  connects  Charlestown  with  Boston,)  he 
stopped  and  leaned  over  the  railing,  and,  while  his  tears  mingled 
with  the  waters  beneath,  he  promised  the  Lord,  if  he  would  pros- 
per him,  that  he  would  devote  a  certain  part  of  his  income  for  the  pro- 
motion of  his  cause.  The  Lord  answered  his  prayer,  and  he  had  now 
become  wealthy.  The  thought  that  'perhaps  he  may  aid  me,' deter- 
mined me  to  see  him.  A  little  after  the  dawn  of  the  morning,  I 
went  into  Boston,  and  by  the  help  of  a  city  Directory  found  his 
house.  He  was  not  up,  but  sending  in  my  name,  he  recognized 
it,  having  seen  it  in  the  Morning  Star,  and  very  politely  sent 
me  back  an  invitation  to  breakfast  with  him.  In  about  an  hour  I 
had  an  introduction  to  him,  and  laid  before  him  the  object  of  my 
visit.  In  a  very  kind  manner  he  replied, "  I  will  assist  you  by  mak- 
ing your  notes  bank.able  for  whatever  sums  }'ou  may  need,  and  then 
they  will  answer  all  the  purposes  of  money."  He  did  so,  subse- 
quently to  the  amount  of  S8,000.  This  seemed  such  an  answer  to 
prayer  that  my  soul  was  greatly  affected. 

I  returned  to  Limerick  in  the  early  part  of  April.  While  pass- 
ing through  a  piece  of  woods,^  just  at  dark  within  a  few  miles  of 
the  village,  I  saw  a  man  lying  drunk  on  the  snow.  As  it  was  a 
veiy  cold  night,  I  feared  he  would  perish ;  but  I  was  too  feeble  to 
lift  him  into  my  carriage.  My  soul  was  filled  with  a  holy  indig- 
nation toward  those  who,  for  filthy  lucre,  will  thus  destroy  their  fel- 
low men.  Coming  soon  to  the  tavern,  where  he  obtained  his  "  li- 
quid fire,*'  and  feeling  anxious  to  rebuke  the  sin  as  well  as  save  the 
25 


■■f)^^'H 


'■■iW.% 


-iV.\ 


■'  :i  ■; 

' 'M 

%■•■■         •      ••■■   (--a 


YiW     " 


290 


MEMOIRS    OP 


poor  man,  I  rode  up  to  the  door,  around  which  a  crowd  was  stand- 
ing, and  inquired  for  the  landlord.  I  told  him,  that  at  a  little  distance 
in  the  wood,  there  was  a  man  lying  on  the  snow,  poisoned,  and  I 
feared  that  if  ho  were  not  taken  care  of,  that  he  would  perish. 
Not  understanding  me,  he  inquired:  "  Poisoned?  How?"  "  With 
alcohol,"  I  replied.  "  Indeed,  why  did  not  you  take  care  of  him  ?" 
I  told  him  I  was  ill,  and  had  not  strength  to  lift  him,  and  withal, 
as  he  dealt  out  the  poison,  tlie  duty  was  his,  and  if  he  perished,  his 
blood  would  be  upon  him.  Some  that  were  prestat  said  the  man 
should  be  taken  care  of. 

On  arriving  at  Limerick,  I  found  the  preparation  of  the  hymn 
book  had  been  hindered  from  various  causes,  so  that  it  was  uncer- 
tain whether  it  would  be  ready  by  the  time  I  had  engaged  to  have 
it  at  the  stereotype  foundry.  I  concluded  to  remain  a  while,  and 
with  my  companion  aid  in  the  work.  Not  aware  that  mere  men- 
tal labor  would  injure  me,  I  spent  for  four  weeeks,  much  of  the 
time,  sixteen  hours  per  day,  in  close  application  to  the  work.  At 
the  same  time,  my  physical  strength  was  such  that  I  could  bear  al- 
most no  exercise.  The  result  was  a  severe  attack  of  dyspepsia. 
During  this  period,  I  preached  a  few  times  in  Limerick  and  the 
adjacent  towns,  and  on  some  of  these  occasions  my  soul  was  led  out 
into  the  deep  things  of  God." 

The  Morning  Star  of  April  13,  1832,  contained  a  letter  address- 
ed to  Elder  John  Buzzell,  from  Mr.  Amos  Sutton,  missionary  to 
Orissa,  in  Hindoostan.  Mr.  Sutton  was  sent  out  as  a  missionary 
by  the  General  Baptists  of  England.  A  correspon'^ence  had  been 
opened  between  this  denomination  and  the  Free-wi  Baptists,  and 
it  was  found  that  their  views  of  Scripture  doctrine  ere  alike.  Mr. 
Sutton's  letter  was  an  appeal  to  the  Free-will  B.  >tists,  vn*ging 
them  to  engage  in  the  mission  enterprise,  and  labo.  in  the  same 
field  with  the  General  Baptists.  He  closed  his  letter  i  the  follow- 
ing pathetic  language : 

"  I  have  lived  more  than  six  years  in  the  province  Orissa]  and 
a  great  part  of  the  time  close  to  this  enormous  Jugur  ith.  1  have 
seen  the  mangled  victims  of  his  infatuated  adorers  '  mg  by  hun- 
dreds upon  hundreds,  exposed  to  the  birds  and  beasts.  1  liave  lis- 
tened to  their  dying  exclamations,  "  Jugurnath  !  Jugui nath  !  Jug- 
urnath !"  and  have  seen  them  die  with  the  words  on  their  lips.  I 
have  seen  the  pit  dug,  and  the  fire  kindled  in  it,  to  consume  the 
young  widow  with  her  husband's  corpse,  and  in  one  instance,  I 
succeeded  in  saving  her  from  this  horrible  death.  I  have  seen  Jug- 
urnath in  his  triumphal  car  dragged  by  thousands  of  his  worship- 
pers, men,  women,  and  children ;  and  I  have  seen  the  wretched 
victims  crushed  beneath  it,  with  a  thousand  other  horrors,  which 
well  nigh  overwhelm  the  mind  at  the  mighty  power  of  the  god  of 


1i ,  . ' 


DAVID  MARKS. 


291 


£111  Hi?' a 


"  Here 
Fare- 


tliis  world.  The  gospel  is  the  antiilote  for  all  these  miseries,  and 
under  its  influence,  the  Hindoo  Brahmin,  "svho  has  set  fire  to  the 
pile  which  consumed  his  living  mother  and  dead  father,  has  become 
the  meek  and  affectionate  preacher  of  the  reign  of  mercy,  and  has 
died  consoled  by  the  grace  he  proclaimed  to  others.  Come,  then, 
my  American  brethren,  come  over  and  help  us.  The  way  is  as 
short  and  as  safe  from  India  to  heaven,  as  from  your  land  of  priv- 
ileges. Come  and  win  some  of  these  trophies,  to  deck  the  crown 
of  Jesus,  and  then  remove  from  earth  to  heaven,  and  say, 
I  am,  Lord,  and  the  children  which  thou  hast  given  me." 
well.     Yours  in  the  hope  of  the  gospel,  A.  Sutton." 

Tiiis  appeal  had  the  effect  almost  of  an  electric  shock  upon  the 
mind  of  Mr.  Marks,  and  ever  after,  the  mission  cause  had  his 
warmest  sympathies.  Nor  was  it  lost  upon  the  denomination. 
Tlieir  apathy  began  to  give  way,  and  soon  a  Missionary  Society 
was  formed,  of  which  Elder  John  Buzzell  was  President. 

Journal.  "  Saturday,  April  28.  The  hymn  book  being  now 
ready,  I  engaged  brother  Beede  to  go  to  Boston,  and  superintend 
its  publication,  while  I  again  resumed  my  labors  among  the  church- 
es. I  held  a  few  meetings  in  Dover  and  Great  Falls.  In  the  lat- 
ter place  I  preached  the  funeral  sermon  of  a  grand-daughter  of 
Elder  Benjamin  Randall.  She  delayed  repentance  till  on  her  dy- 
ing bed,  and  then  hoped  she  found  mercy.  I  visited  her  during 
her  sickness,  and  she  requested  me  to  preach  at  her  funeral. 
Among  the  mourning  relatives,  was  a  son  of  Elder  Randall. 

Sabbath,  May  6,  I  spent  in  Candia.  About  forty  had  recently 
been  converted  in  this  place.  The  next  day  I  preached  in  North- 
wood.  Some  were  awakened  who  afterwards,  I  was  informed, 
professed  to  find  the  Savior.  Tuesday,  I  preached  in  Strafford, 
from  Matt.  18:7,  "  Wo  unto  the  world,  because  of  offences."  The 
subject  opened  to  my  mind  with  such  clearness  as  almost  to  over- 
power me,  nor  did  the  audience  seem  much  less  affected. 

Elder  Place  gave  me  the  reading  of  the  records  of  the  first 
Free-will  Baptist  church  that  was  formed,  kept  mostly  in  Elder 
Randall's  hand  writing.  From  these  records  it  appeared  that 
Free-will  Baptists,  at  that  time,  made  provision  for  defraying  the 
expenses  of  the  church,  and  for  aiding  the  poor  by  a  church  stock, 
raised  by  a  tax  on  the  property  of  the  church  members.  The  fol- 
lowing is  taken  from  those  records,  on  an  occasion  where  it  had 
been  voted  to  raise  six  pounds. 

"  Monthly  meeting.  New  Durham,  Oct.  18,  1794. 
We,  the  subscribers,  being  appointed  to  take  a  just  valuation  of 
the  interest  of  the  male  members  of  said  meeting,  in  order  to  raise 
a  church  stock  by  an  equality,  have,  according  to  the  best  of  our 


■'^m 

■  ■■    IK  l^Ik* 

rr 


t 


'  ^-i 


'  .0, 


292 


MEMOIRS    OF 


'*" 


judgment,  set  against  each  member's  name  his  proportion  of  the 
sum  of  six  pounds  lawful  money. 

Members.  s.  d.   Members. 

B.  Randall,  4       J.  Young, 

Dea.  E.  Bickford,  5-3  J.  Kennison,        4 

"      S.  Pottle,      4      Jos.  Kennison,      2-6 

Z.  Boody,  11-6  Sara'l  Runnels,  11 


J.  Boody, 
J.  Hasse, 
I.  Buzzell, 
D.  Kelly, 
R.  O.  Randall, 


s.  D. 

2       J.  Runnals, 
D.  Morrison, 
S.  Drown, 
S.  Tasker, 
J.  Foss, 


8.  D. 

7-6 

7-6 

4 

4 

8 


5 


Total,  £6  7  11" 


2       J.  Buzzell,  G 

4       Z.  Glidden,  4 

6       T.  Davis,  13-5 

J.  Pennyy  6—6 

T.  Norton,  2-9 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter,  written  to  S.  Beede  about 
this  period,  is  introduced  as  somewhat  illustrative  of  Mr.  Marks' 
views  of  using  property. 

"  Perhaps  I  have  been  too  fearful  of  contracting  debts  for  your 
service.  If  it  has  been  so,  my  friend  will  impute  it  to  no  other 
principle  than  that  of  caution,  which  is  the  "  parent  of  safety."  We 
may  presume  too  much  on  what  a  denomination  ought  to  do,  and 
at  last  find  what  is  every  body's  business  is  neglected  by  all.  I  ac- 
knowledge I  have  felt  no  small  delicacy  in  risking  the  loss  of  my 
little  all,  and  for  which,  if  I  am  successful,  I  expect  no  temporal 
reward.  Still,  if  you  want  fifty  dollars,  besides  economical  expen- 
ses, for  the  purchase  of  books,  I  do  not  know  as  I  can  refuse  this 
favor  now.  But  this  I  can  advise,  and  I  think  you  will  accept  it 
as  from  a  friend,  that  you  ever  study  the  best  economy  in  your  ex- 
penses. Jesus  Christ  became  poor — literally  poor,  and  his  expen- 
ses were  suited  to  this  condition,  so  that  he  had  not  w^here  to  lay 
his  head — had  no  money  to  pay  tribute  ;  yet  he  never  murmured, 
though  the  world  was  his.  We  are  God's  stewards,  and  our  econ- 
omy and  our  motto  should  be,  not  like  that  of  worldly  gentlemen, 
who  indulge  their  wishes  for  whatever  pleases  their  fancy,  but  in 
the  language  of  the  apostle,  "  As  poor,  yet  making  many  rich." 
The  reflection  that  the  most  of  God's  useful  men,  and  those  who 
have  rendered  the  greatest  service  to  their  fellow  men,  have  been 
poor  in  this  world,  and  that  the  time  is  short,  very,  very  short, 
when  we  must  give  an  account  to  God  for  our  stewardship,  is 
enough  to  fill  us  wiih  awe,  and  put  up  a  bar  against  unnecessary 
indulgence. 

"  Of  all  the  friends  I  have  ever  had,  I  suppose  you  may  have 
had  reason  to  think  there  is  none  whose  welfare  and  prosperity  are 
nearer  my  heart  than  that  of  my  friend  Samuel ;  not  that  I  ever 
thought  you  perfect  in  judgment  or  in  life.  But  this  I  may  say, 
your  influence  has  been  as  weighty  on  my  mind  as  I  think  that  of 


DAVID   MARKS. 


293 


8.    D. 

lis, 

7-G 

son, 

7-6 

rn, 

4 

r, 

4 

8 

any  imperfect  man  ought  to  be.  I  have  had  reason  to  be  thankful 
for  the  plainness  you  have  used  with  me  in  time  past ;  but  I  think 
you  may  yet  show  me  still  more  kindness  in  telling  me  my  faults 
and  your  fears.  May  you  be  prepared  for  usefulness  in  Zion,  not 
only  by  the  acquirement  of  knowledge,  but  also  by  a  close  com- 
munion with  God,  and  by  being  filled  with  wisdom  and  the  Holy 
Ghost.  I  pray  God  to  comfort  you  and  strengthen  you  for  your 
work.  Watch  your  own  spirit,  examine  your  own  leart,  and  take 
time  to  pray  much  for  the  church,  the  world,  for  yourself,  and  for 
your  affectionate  brother,  David  Marks." 

Journal.  "  Thursday,  10,  I  left  Strafford,  and  during  the  four 
ensuing  days,  attended  seven  meetings  on  my  way  to  New  Durham 
quarterly  meeting  in  Loudon.  Elder  Place  preached  a  sermon  on 
holiness,  which,  if  practiced,  would  make  the  world  a  paradise.  I 
spoke  from  Ephesians  1:11 :  "  In  whom  we  have  obtained  an  inher- 
itance, being  predestinated  according  to  the  purpose  of  him  who 
worketh  all  things  after  the  counsel  of  his  own  will."  The  divis- 
ion of  the  subject  was  as  follows.  1.  The  will  of  (iod.  2.  His 
works  according  to  the  counsel  of  the  same.  3.  The  obtaining  the 
inheritance.  4.  The  purpose  of  God.  5.  The  predestination  of 
the  saints.  It  pleased  the  Lord  to  give  me  freedom,  so  that  I  was 
enabled  to  speak  with  animation  more  than  two  hours.  After  the 
close  of  the  quarterly  meeting,  I  went  to  Dover,  preaching  by  the 
way,  and  in  compliance  with  a  previous  engagement,  attended 
three  days  at  a  protracted  meeting  which  followed  the  dedication  of 
the  Free-will  Baptist  meeting  house.  Several  ministers  were 
present,  and  about  twelve  awakened  souls  found  peace  in  believing. 
INIuch  very  important  labor  having  accumulated  on  my  hands  with 
regard  to  the  business  of  the  Book  Concern,  I  was  obliged  to  sit 
up  during  my  attendance  of  this  meeting,  writing  with  my  compan- 
ion, nearly  the  whole  of  the  nights. 

Friday,  May  25,  I  was  present  at  the  marriage  of  my  friend 
Beede  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Spaulding.  As  Mr.  Beede  was  to  leave 
early  next  morning  to  return  to  Boston,  and  as  there  was  consider- 
able indispensable  business  to  be  prepared  before  he  left,  I  worked 
all  night.  I  had  now  a  great  pressure  of  cares  which  threatened 
to  crush  me.  I  had  become  responsible  for  about  $2400,  including 
what  I  had  paid,  all  due  within  a  year.  I  had  only  about  fifteen 
hundred  subscribers  for  the  hymn  book,  and  if  the  edition  of  four 
thousand  copies  was  sold  as  soon  as  issued,  it  would  not  pay  the 
cost,  including  copy  and  plates.  I  had  important  engagements  that 
would  call  me  to  New  York  in  the  fall,  and  detain  me  there  till  the 
ensuing  spring,  while,  in  consequence  of  unforeseen  delays,  the 
book  would  not  be  out  till  July,  so  that  I  had  only  three  months  to 
25* 


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If      -  f 


294 


MEMOIRS    OF 


•  I 


collect  and  insure  the  collecting  of  the  S2400.  I  felt  anxieties 
which  I  had  not  known  before,  and  burdens  that  pressed  heavily 
upon  me.  I  had  tried  to  shake  them  off,  but  in  spite  of  all  my  ef- 
forts, still  they  clung  to  me.  As  soon  as  Mr.  Beede  left,  I  stopped 
a  moment  to  rest,  but  my  excessive  fatigues  of  body  and  mind  had 
been  too  much  for  my  nervous  system  to  endure.  I  became  lost, 
my  memory  was  gone,  and  it  was  with  much  difficulty  that  the 
most  powerful  stimulants  could  recover  me.  My  friends,  as  well 
as  myself,  were  alarmed,  and  for  most  of  the  day  I  kept  my  bed. 
After  a  little  sleep,  I  was  enabled,  in  some  measure,  to  cast  my 
cares  upon  the  Lord,  and  although,  as  in  the  reading  of  Moses, 
there  was  a  veil  over  the  face,  and  on  natural  principles  (consider- 
ing my  health)  my  prospects  were  dark,  yet  as  I  looked  to  Him  for 
whose  sake  I  had  taken  these  burdens,  I  felt  a  sweet  hope  that  he 
would  carry  me  through,  and  I  began  to  labor  again  with  courage. 

Sabbath,  May  27,  I  preached  again  in  Dover,  and  during  the 
week,  attended  the  Weare  quarterly  meeling  in  Boscawen.  Many 
appeared  deeply  impressed,  and  several  seemed  to  be  near  the 
kingdom  of  Grod.  I  preached  three  times  during  the  session  in 
compliance  with  urgent  solicitations,  but  found  it  greatly  wearied 
me.  The  following  Sabbath,  I  spent  in  Canterbury.  This  church 
had  just  lost  their  pastor,  who  had  been  settled  over  them  thirty- 
five  years.  Though  I  had  passed  a  sick  night,  the  Lord  strength- 
ened me  to  preach  twice.  My  mind  was  remarkably  clear,  and 
God's  melting  power  was  present  in  the  assembly.  Tuesday,  I 
preached  on  the  subject  of  stewardship.  It  was  a  heart-searching 
time,  and  my  own  soul  was  deeply  humbled.  What  is  more  hu- 
miliating than  the  view  that  we  have  nothing  v;e  can  call  our 
own? 

June  8 — 11, 1  attended  the  New  Hampshire  yearly  meeting  in 
Andover,  and  though  very  feeble,  yet  being  much  urged,  I  preach- 
ed twice.  Several  other  sermons  were  given.  The  business  meet- 
ing was  a  trying  time,  but  the  power  of  Grod  attended  the  preach- 
ing of  his  word.  A  revival  commenced,  and  on  the  evening  of  the 
11th,  five  professed  to  be  converted. 

The  prosperity  of  the  Book  Concern,  and  the  cause  in  general, 
seeming  to  demand  a  tour  through  the  churches  in  Maine,  I  thought 
it  duty  to  commence  it  in  season  to  attend  the  Penobscot  yearly 
meeting.  Friday,  June  14,  I  called  on  Elder  J.  Buzzell  in  Par- 
sonsfield.  He  was  actively  engaged  in  getting  subscriptions  to 
build  a  Seminary.  Nine  hundred  dollars  had  been  subscribed,  and 
the  building  was  commenced.  He  had  also  received  about  fifty 
dollars  towards  the  establishment  of  a  Foreign  Mission.  May 
these  small  beginnings  be  the  harbingers  of  great  success.  Sab- 
bath, June  16,  I  was  enabled  to  preach  twice  in  Limerick,  and 


DAV^ID    MARKS. 


295 


once  in  Limington.  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  for  restoring  mercies. 
My  invaluable  friend  Beede  has  just  written  me  some  hints  that 
I  liope  will  do  me  good.  He  says,  "  I  am  sorry  you  are  so  indis- 
posed, though  it  is  no  more  than  I  expected  would  be  your  lot. 
The  great  anxiety  of  mind  which  you  often  indulge,  and  have  par- 
ticularly with  regard  to  the  Book  Concern,  the  immense  labors  you 
perform,  together  with  your  past  inattention  to  diet  and  regimen, 
&c.,  are  such  as  no  human  constitution  can  long  endure  unimpair- 
ed. Dyspepsia,  or  other  maladies  of  a  more  fatal  nature,  must  in- 
evitably follow.  But  wisdom  is  profitable  to  direct.  I  feared  the 
undue  worry  of  mind,  that  appeared  to  rest  upon  you,  when  I 
last  saw  you,  would  drive  you  to  insanity,  or  otherwise  destroy 
your  usefulness.  Therefore,  I  tried  to  reprove  your  anxiety  and 
distrust  in  Grod."  O  Lord,  help  me  to  correct  all  my  errors.  Thou 
knowest  I  have  seen  so  much  to  be  done  to  bring  back  this  revolt- 
ed world  to  thee,  that  I  have  not  taken  time  to  acquaint  myself 
with  the  laws  of  health.  How  much  there  is  that  I  need  to  know. 
I  thank  thee  for  the  faithfulness  of  my  dear  brother  Beede. 

Tuesday,  June  18.  "We  found  a  great  agitation  in  Portland, 
from  a  report  that  the  Asiatic  cholera  had  reached  our  continent. 
We  hoped  to  hear  it  contradicted ;  but,  on  aiTiving  at  Gardiner, 
we  heard  a  confirmation  of  the  dreadful  tidings.  There  had  been 
forty-nine  cases  in  Quebec,  forty-five  of  which  had  proved  fatal. 
In  Montreal,  there  had  been  fifteen  cases,  seven  of  them  fatal,  and 
it  was  spreading  rapidly  in  other  towns.  It  was  brought  from  Ire- 
land in  a  vessel,  on  which,  it  was  reported,  that  forty-two  died 
during  the  passage.  The  emigration  from  Ireland  to  Quebec,  is 
said  to  exceed  one  thousand  in  a  day.  I  have  just  been  inform- 
ed that  the  physicians  and  people  have  met  to  petition  the  govern- 
ment to  stop  up  the  Canada  road  from  this  place  to  Quebec,  a  dis- 
tance of  two  hundred  miles.  But  O,  how  vain  will  be  their  efforts 
to  stay  the  judgments  of  the  Lord.  It  may  be  among  us  in  a  few 
days,  and  many,  yes,  many  of  our  friends  may  die.  I  may  be  call- 
ed away  by  this  pestilence.  Am  I  prepared  ?  Blessed  be  God,  I 
feel  to  say,  "  The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done,"  whether  it  be  life  or 
death.  But  as  life  is  uncertain,  I  will  make  my  will,  and  arrange 
my  temporal  concerns,  that  I  may  be  ready  to  go  any  moment  the 
Lord  may  call.  Glory  to  God  for  the  comfort  I  feel  in  the  reflec- 
tion, that,  through  grace,  I  have  been  enabled  to  leave  all  for 
Christ's  sake,  and  devote  my  whole  time  in  preaching  his  precious 
word.  In  the  evening,  I  preached  in  Gardiner  from  the  text, 
"  Prepare  to  meet  your  God."  I  alluded  to  the  pestilence,  and 
urged  the  importance  of  being  prepared  to  meet  it.  For  some  time 
my  mind  had  been  deeply  impressed  with  the  belief  that  the  judg- 
ments of  G^  were  hanging  over  us,  and  that  soon  the  Lord  would 


■M 


'I' 


'  It-    H 


i  -.J 


29G 


MEMOIRS    OF 


scourge  us  for  our  sing.  For  a  year  past,  I  had  often  been  led  to 
name  this  in  my  preaching  with  the  keenest  feelings,  and  often  told 
my  assemblies,  that  I  believed  God  would  send  the  cholera  to  pun- 
ish our  nation  for  its  wickedness.  Many  had  ridiculed  the  idea 
that  the  cholera  wouhl  ever  come  to  this  country,  across  the  great 
ocean.  The  public  journals  had  ridiculed  it.  Alas !  it  has  ever 
been  with  this  wicked  world,  that  they  would  not  believe  that  judg- 
ments were  at  hand,  until  they  came. 

Thursday,  June  20.  I  again  had  another  of  those  strange  at- 
tacks. My  memory  was  gone,  so  that  I  could  not  tell  where  I 
was,  or  what  I  was,  nor  think  of  my  name.  Physicians  call  it  a 
nervous  affection.  I  got  better,  so  that  I  rode  nearly  thirty  miles 
to  China.  In  passing  through  Augusta,  I  was  informed  a  man 
was  there  the  Tuesday  previous,  then  five  days  from  Quebec.  He 
said  the  cholera  raged  so  before  he  left  that  individuals  dropped  in 
the  street  and  died  before  they  could  be  carried  into  a  house,  and 
he  then  thought  it  time  for  him  to  flee.  I  read  in  an  Augusta  pa- 
per that  the  cholera  had  reached  Albany ! 

Friday,  I  rode  thirty  miles  to  Newburg,  near  the  Penobscot 
river,  where  the  Penobscot  yearly  meeting  commenced  its  session 
the  next  day.  The  tidings  of  the  approach  of  the  cholera  produc- 
ed an  unwonted  solemnity  on  the  audience.  Elder  Elias  Hutch- 
ins  was  present,  and  gave  an  interesting  account  of  his  visit  to 
North  Carolina,  among  the  people  called  General  Baptists  ;  but 
who,  from  the  time  of  his  first  visiting  them,  called  themselves  Free- 
will Baptists.  He  said  their  origin  and  early  history  were  involv- 
ed in  obscurity.  They  were  supposed  to  have  originated  from  the 
General  Baptists  in  England,  about  seventy  years  ago.  He  also 
preached  a  very  instructive  and  impressive  sei*mon.  On  the  Sab- 
bath, about  two  thousand  people  assembled ;  and  though  I  had  pass- 
ed a  sick  night,  I  ventured  to  leave  my  bed  about  10  o'clock,  A. 
M.,  in  compliance  with  the  entreaties  of  brethren,  went  to  the 
meeting,  and  spoke  nearly  two  hours  without  apparent  injury.  My 
visit  to  this  yearly  meeting  has  awakened  considerable  interest  in 
the  Book  Concern,  and  I  think  secured  the  efforts  of  some  efficient 
brethren. 

Thursday,  June  27, 1  preached  in  Prospect :  the  power  of  God 
attended  the  word ;  thirty  came  forward  for  prayer,  and  several 
wept  profusely.  On  the  way  to  Prospect,  I  learned  by  the  Penob- 
scot Journal,  that  the  cholera  was  raging  dreadfully  at  Montreal 
and  Quebec.  In  the  former  place,  the  last  day's  report  stated  that 
between  sunrise  and  sunset,  there  were  one  hundred  and  fif- 
ty cases,  and  one  hundred  and  five  deaths,  and  that  it  took  all 
night  to  bury  the  dead !  Two  days  afterwards,  I  read  in  another 
public  paper,  that  in  Montreal,  on  the  17th  inst.,  there  were  six 


DAVID   MARKS. 


297 


hundred  cases  of  cholera,  and  that  there  had  been  sixteen  hundred 
cases  in  ten  days.  Friday,  June  29, 1  preached  in  Montville.  This 
day  I  read  in  a  Boston  paper,  that  at  Montreal  there  had  been 
from  the  11th  to  the  21st  of  June,  no  less  than  one  thousand  deaths 
by  the  cholera.  All  business  had  ceased,  and  even  the  stage,  in 
its  passage  from  that  place,  was  unable  to  change  horses  in  forty 
miles.  On  its  approach,  so  great  was  the  terror,  that  the  inhabi- 
tants would  shut  their  windows,  and  lock  their  doors.  O  Lord, 
have  mercy  on  our  country,  though  the  abuse  of  thy  many  bless- 
ings deserves  thy  judgments.  Yet,  O  Lord,  do  thou  pity  our  na- 
tion according  to  thy  long  suffering,  and  according  to  the  multitude 
of  thy  mercies.  On  this  day,  apple  trees  were  full  in  blossom  ;  so 
backward  is  the  season. 

Saturday  and  Sabbath,  I  attended  the  Edgcomb  quarterly  meet- 
ing in  Windsor,  and  was  very  affectionately  received.  I  preached 
twice  with  much  freedom  ;  several  came  forward  for  prayer,  among 
whom  was  a  sea  captain,  who,  it  was  said,  until  now  had  been  in- 
clined to  Universalism.  Tuesday,  July  3,  I  preached  in  Water- 
ville  a  poor  dry  sermon,  and  felt  much  humbled  for  my  unprofita- 
bleness. I  enjoyed  an  interview  with  brother  Hosea  Quinby,  who 
had  about  finished  his  college  studies.  May  he  be  a  rich  blessing 
to  the  denomination.  During  eight  days  following,  I  preached 
eight  sermons  to  churches  between  Waterville  and  Limerick,  and 
saw  some  persuaded  to  turn  and  live. 

Thursday,  July  11,  had  been  appointed  by  the  joint  recommen- 
dation of  different  denominations  throughout  the  state,  for  fasting, 
humiliation  and  prayer,  on  account  of  the  cholera.  I  preached  at 
Limerick  from  Ps.  91:5 — 9.  "  Thou  shalt  not  be  afraid  for  the 
terror  by  night ;  nor  for  the  arrow  that  flieth  by  day  ;  nor  for  the 
pestilence  that  walketh  in  darkness  ;  nor  for  the  destruction  that 
wasteth  at  noon  day.  A  thousand  shall  fall  at  thy  side,  and  ten 
thousand  at  thy  right  hand ;  but  it  shall  not  come  nigh  thee.  Only 
with  thine  eyes  shalt  thou  behold  and  see  the  reward  of  the  wicked, 
because  thou  hast  made  the  Lord,  which  is  my  refuge,  even  the  Most 
High,  thy  habitation."  The  Sabbath  following,  I  preached  in  Dover. 
Much  alarm  prevailing  on  account  of  the  ravages  of  the  cholera,  a 
meeting  was  held  by  the  inhabitants  the  next  evening  to  take  meas- 
ures to  prevent  its  introduction,  and  to  be  prepared  for  it  in  case 
of  its  approach.  On  this  evening,  I  spoke  with  much  animation  of 
soul  to  about  eight  hundred  people  at  Great  Falls.  There  were 
strict  attention  and  much  weeping  in  the  audience. 

About  this  time,  I  received  the  first  copies  of  "  Christian  Mel- 
ody," our  new  hymn  book.  It  contains  one  thousand  hymns  and 
several  anthems.  Its  appearance  was  very  satisfactory,  and  I 
felt  abundantly  rewarded  for  all  my  anxious  labors  and  embarrass- 


it 


\f-: : 


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Ig 


i 


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in 


208 


MEMOIRS    OP 


ments  In  accurinp;  its  publication.  It  was  received  by  the  subscri- 
bers and  tlie  i)ublic  with  gladness,  and  almost  with  enthusiasm. 

From  the  IGtli  of  July  to  the  1st  of  August,  my  time  was  occu- 
pied with  preaching  in  Dover,  Great  Falls,  and  in  towns  in  their  vi- 
cinity, and  in  supplying  subscribers  with  the  hynui  book.  I  then 
went  to  Portland,  Me.  and  sent  off  eight  hundre<l  copies  in  parcels  to 
different  sections.  During  the  succeeding  weeks,  I  visited  various 
towns  between  Portland,  Me.  and  Haverhill,  Mass.  preaching  daily, 
distributing  the  hymn  book,  and  receiving  returns. 

Aug.  14—16,  I  attended  the  New  Durham  quarterly  meeting  in 
New  Durham,  the  town  where  Randall  formed  the  first  Free-will 
Baptist  church,  and  where  his  remains  rest  in  glorious  hope.  It 
was  a  season  of  interest.  I  was  especially  rejoiced  to  find  the  infant 
book  establishment  growing  fast  into  favor.  For  nearly  a  year  I 
had  been  desirous  to  preach  at  Randall's  grave,  and  Thursday,  July 
16,  I  enjoyed  the  precious  privilege.  A  neat  marble  slab,  erected 
by  the  Free-will  Baptist  denomination,  marked  the  sacred  spot. 
On  it  was  the  following  inscription  : 

«  SACRED 

TO    THE    MEMORY    OF 

ELDER  BENJAMIN  RANDALL, 

THE    FOUNDER    OF    THE    FREE-WILL    BAPTIST 
SOCIETY  IN  AMERICA. 

HE  LABORED  IN  THE  MINISTRY 

THIRTY  YEARS. 

He  died  Oct.  22,  1808,  aged  59  years 
7  months  and  27  days. 

Sweet  is  Uiy  rest,  thou  servant  of  the  Lord, 
'Twaslhy  dt-ljglit  to  preach  his  sacred  word, 
Hundreds  of  souls  shall  deck  thy  starry  crown, 
And  all  the  glory  to  thy  God  redound." 

I  stood  at  the  head  of  the  grave,  and  read  from  the  "  Life  of 
Randall"  his  last  letter  to  the  Free-will  Baptist  denomination.  It 
seemed,  indeed,  like  a  voice  from  his  grave.  Some  of  Randall's 
fellow  laborers  were  present  and  were  greatly  affected." 

The  following  notice  of  this  interesting  meeting  w^as  written  by 
Elder  D.  P.  Cilley,  clerk  of  New  Durham  quarterly  meeting,  and 
published  in  the  Morning  Star. 

"  During  the  exercises  of  the  New  Durham  quarterly  meeting, 
notice  was  given  that  brother  David  Marks  would  preach  a  ser- 
mon at  the  grave  of  Randall.  *  *  At  the  appointed 
hour,  hundreds  were  seen  in  various  directions  walking  solemnly 


/■ 


1  •■^»' 


DAVID    MARKS. 


299 


to  the  sacred  spot.  *  *  *  j^y.^  Marks,  standing  in 
a  chair  near  the  grave  of  one  whose  doliglit  it  was  to  call  on  his 
fellow  men  to  seek  God,  commenced  his  address.  After  remarking, 
by  way  of  introduction,  that  by  meeting  in  that  singular  maimer 
for  the  worship  of  God,  they  did  not  expect  any  supernatural  ef- 
fect to  attend,  he  proceeded  to  speak  from  Hebrews  11th  chapter, 
and  last  part  of  the  fourth  verse.  "  Jle  being  dead,  yet  spcaketh'* 
The  general  heads  of  the  discourse  were  as  follows :  1.  Notice  the 
death  of  the  saint.  2.  Show  how  he  yet  speaks.  3.  JVIake  the 
application  and  improvement.  In  further  treating  the  subject,  he 
remarked  ;  1.  Death  has  lost  its  sting  and  is  precious  to  the  Chris- 
tian. 2.  The  saint,  by  the  sacrifice  of  his  life,  and  his  all,  speaks 
after  deatli,  God  testifying  of  hi.^  gifts.  3.  Elder  Rjuidall,  by  the 
entire  sacrifice  of  his  life  to  God,  by  his  holiness  and  humility,  still 
speaks  to  us.  On  account  of  time,  the  discourse  was  short,  but  in- 
structive and  appropriate,  and  attended  with  much  of  the  influence 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  is  usually  the  case  with  the  preaching  of  our 
dear  brother.  We  can  but  think  that  the  solemn  truths  advanced, 
will  have  a  deep  and  lasting  impression  on  the  minds  of  many. 
Though  the  people  genendly  were  standing,  they  were  very  atten- 
tive, and  it  truly  appeared  as  though  God  by  his  Spirit  was  in  the 
midst.  These  solemn  exercises  closed  by  prayer,  by  Elder  E. 
Place,  who  seemed  to  feel  all  the  solemnity  of  the  occasion.  Quite 
a  number  of  the  servants  of  God  were  kneeled  around  the  silent 
mound,  and  our  brother,  while  in  prayer,  seemed  to  be  filled  with 
strong  desires  that  they  might  possess  much  of  the  persevering 
and  unwearied  spirit  of  the  departed  Randall.  Thus  closed  a  scene 
to  me  new  and  very  solemn."         *         * 

Some  friends  had  expressed  their  fears  to  Mr.  Marks  that  his 
piety  must  suffer  from  having  so  much  secular  business  on  his 
hands ;  but  all  his  secular  avocations  were  the  result  of  the  same 
benevolence  and  devotedness  that  had  constrained  him  from  boy- 
hood to  present  himself  as  a  living  sacrifice  in  the  service  of  God 
and  man.  In  his  business,  he  was  as  much  the  consecrated  Chris- 
tian, as  in  the  pulpit :  hence,  when  pressed  with  worldly  cares,  his 
soul  enjoyed  spiritual  health,  and  as  his  temporal  avocations  were 
never  conducted  in  a  secular  spirit,  his  religious  enjoyment  seemed 
to  increase  in  circumstances  and  occupations  which  would  have 
been  hurtful  to  the  piety  of  many.  The  following  are  extracts 
from  his  correspondence  about  this  period. 

•'To  the  Benton  quarterly  meeting  to  be  held  August  10,  1832,  Greeting. 

My  dear  brethren, 

As  I  cannot  meet  with  you,  I  think  it  meet  to  report  my  situation 
to  you  by  letter,  agreeably  to  the  advice  of  General  Conference. 


P 


''If   .1 


.'•'I 


I 


300 


MEMOIRS   OP 


The  precious  cousc  of  Christ,  which  I  embraooil  when  a  little  child 
and  confc'HHcd  amonf;  you  with  treniblinj?,  is  still  dearer  to  my 
heart  than  every  thing  that  can  be  named.  A  conviction  of  duty 
in  the  service  of  our  great  Redeemer  alone  has  detained  me  from 
coming  to  you  these  many  months.  I  long  again  to  meet  with  you 
in  your  quarterly  sessions,  to  visit  your  churches,  and  pour  out  my 
soul  at  your  family  altars.  I  doubt  not  that  you  have  afllictioiis 
and  trials,  for  these  are  inseparable  from  the  present  imperfect  state 
of  the  church.  Still,  blessed  be  God,  we  have  more,  yes,  abun> 
dantly  more,  to  encourage  us  than  to  discourage  us.  O  may  ea<?]i 
of  us  serve  God  for  ourselves,  and  serve  the  present  generation 
for  Christ's  sake,  that  the  peace  of  the  great  Head  of  the  ithurch 
may  reign  in  our  hearts,  and  that  we  may  be  counted  worthy  to 
stand  in  the  Judgment.  ****** 

As  to  my  enjoyment,  I  have  never  felt  more  settled  peace 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  than  I  have  for  two  years 
past ;  and  never  did  I  feel  more  determined  to  spend  all  my  life  in 
his  service.  The  day  of  my  espousal  is  still  fresh  in  my  memory, 
and  the  happy  seasons  I  have  had  with  you,  I  shall  never  forget. 
O  brethren,  watch  and  pray.  Be  not  discouraged.  The  master 
will  come  and  wipe  away  every  tear  from  his  children.  Pray  for 
me  that  I  may  be  perfected  in  love.     Farewell. 

Yours  in  the  bonds  of  our  holy  religion, 

D.  Marks." 

**  To  the  Holland  Purchase  yearly  meeting,  assembled  in  China,  N.  Y., 

Aug.  24,  1832,  Greeting. 

My  dear  and  beloved  brethren, 

As  this  month  came  in,  the  remembrance  of  past  oppor- 
tunities in  otir  yearly  meeting  called  my  attention  to  the  west,  and 
painful  was  the  thought  that  another  session  must  pass  before  I 
can  again  meet  you.  Though  communications  with  the  pen  are 
cold  compared  with  those  enjoyed  when  we  meet  face  to  face,  I 
gladly  embrace  this  privilege  to  assure  you  that  that  precious  cause 
which  engaged  the  attention  of  my  childhood,  is  still  dearer  to  my 
heart  than  any  thing  or  every  thing  else  ;  yes,  more  precious  than 
life.  An  inspired  apostle  once  wrote  to  his  brethren,  that  he  had 
no  greater  joy  than  to  hear  that  they  walked  in  the  truth ;  and,  0 
my  brethren,  I  cannot  tell  the  anxiety  I  feel  to  hear  of  your  state, 
and  how  much  I  fear  and  tremble,  lest  1  shall  hear  that  some  have 
departed  from  the  faith  and  purity  of  the  gospel.  Not  that  I  have 
not  confidence  in  you,  and  hope  better  things  of  you,  and  things 
that  accompany  salvation,  but  I  know  that  we  live  in  a  backsliding 
world,  surrounded  by  a  thousand  foes,  and  the  whole  history  of  the 
church,  in  every  age,  has  presented  almost  a  continued  scene  of 
backsliding. 


DAVID    MARKS. 


801 


In  mnny  places  in  New  England,  the  state  of  religion  among 
our  brethren,  as  well  as  among  other  denominations,  is  quite  en- 
couraging. Still  there  is  much  to  be  done  before  the  church  shall 
be  sanctifie*!,  and  the  glory  of  God  shine  without  a  cloud.  The 
ministiy  must  be  purified,  become  more  spiritual  and  devoted,  more 
given  up  to  their  great  work,  and  better  prepared  by  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  and  the  influences  of  the  Spirit,  to 
win  souls  for  the  other  world.  Professed  Christians  must  be  sep- 
arate from  the  spirit  of  the  world,  from  its  pride  and  vanities.  The 
worship  of  God  must  be  established  in  every  family,  religious 
l)eople  must  train  up  their  children  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and 
covetousness  must  be  suppressed.  Then  shall  the  light  of  Zion 
break  forth  jis  the  morning,  peace  shall  abound  among  the  church- 
es, and  the  glory  of  God  fill  the  whole  earth. 

I  pray  that  you  may  be  favored  with  the  presence  of  the  great 
Head  of  the  church,  and  that  all  of  you  may  be  tender  hearted, 
loving  one  another,  and  forgiving  one  another,  even  as  Christ  has 
forgiven  us ;  and  also  be  subject  to  one  another  for  the  Lord's 
sake.  I  beseech  you  to  remember  your  unworthy  brother  in  your 
prayers.  My  companion  is  still  with  me.  She  also  salutcth  you 
in  the  Lord.  If  the  Lord  will,  we  think  to  spend  the  ensuing 
winter  with  you,  but  many  of  us  may  meet  no  more  in  time.  The 
angel  of  death  has  flown  from  the  old  world  and  lighted  on  our 
shores.  Before  he  leaves,  doubtless,  he  will  conduct  many  of  us 
to  eternity.  O  may  we  be  ready  and  have  our  work  done  well, 
and  in  season,  that  we  may  meet  the  Lord  with  joy.     Amen. 

Yours  in  Christ, 

D.  Marks." 

Journal.  "  Saturday  and  Sabbath,  August  18  and  19,  I  attend- 
ed the  Sandwich  quarterly  meeting.  The  large  meeting  house  was 
filled  to  overflowing.  The  power  of  God  was  present,  and  among 
the  number  that  presented  themselves  for  prayer  were.several  that 
had  been  hitherto  opposers.  At  this  time  I  read  an  official  report, 
stating  that  the  cholera  was  in  Boston,  also  that  during  the  July 
past,  there  had  been  three  thousand  and  forty  three  interred  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  most  of  whom  had  died  with  the  pestilence ! 
It  was  raging  dreadfully  in  many  other  towns  in  the  state  of  New 
York.  There  were  many  instances,  in  which  people  in  the  high 
circles  of  life  were  in  health,  and  cheerful  with  their  friends,  and 
in  four  hours  were  on  their  way  to  their  graves.  Business  was  at  an 
end,  and  New  York  and  Albany  were  gloomy  and  almost  deserted 
cities.  In  one  public  journal,  it  was  calculated,  that  at  the  present 
rate  of  mortality  in  New  York  city,  the  average  life  of  man  would 
be  two  years  and  twenty  days.     Alas !  alas !     Notwithstanding  the 

26 


11 


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4;i! 


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302 


MEMOIRS    or 


unparrftllolod  mortality  in  our  country,  groat  stnpidity  witli  rop^anl 
to  the  greatest  of  all  concerns,  seems  to  have  taken  possession  of 
the  people.     O  for  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Wednesday,  Aug.  22,  I  preached  a  little  dry  sermon  in  T.islM)ti. 
Holy  Father,  pity  thy  unprofitable  servant.  The  following  Satur- 
day and  Sabbath,  I  attended  the  Wheelock  rpuirterly  meeting  in 
Sutton,  Vt.  in  the  meeting  house  built  by  Elder  John  Colby.  As 
not  more  than  half  the  people  could  be  convened  in  the  house,  tlic 
speakers  stood  in  the  door.  I  fidt  especially  assisted  in  preachinnr 
on  the  subject  of  our  stewardship.  liunng  my  stay  in  Sutton,  I 
visited  Deacon  Thomas  Colby,  father  of  Elder  J.  Colby,  who  was 
very  sick,  and  was  thought  to  be  near  his  end.  I  found  him  strong 
in  the  Lord,  and  very  happy." 

After  the  close  of  the  Wheelock  quarterly  meeting,  Mr.  IMarks 
passed  through  New  Hampshire  to  the  state  of  Maine,  in  nearly 
an  easterly  direction,  and  attcnde<l  the  Farmington  quarterly  meet- 
ing and  the  Kennebec  yearly  meeting  in  Wilton ;  thence  he 
went  to  Portland,  preaching  as  usual,  distributing  books,  and 
laboring  to  awaken  an  interest  in  the  infant  Book  Establish- 
ment. He  spent  a  few  days  in  Portland  to  aid  Mr.  Beetle 
in  preparing  the  Free-will  Baptist  Register  for  1833.  Suoli 
had  been  the  arrangement  for  the  sale  of  the  hymn  book  that 
the  edition  was  exhausted  in  about  six  weeks,  and  Mr.  Marks  had 
been  enabled  to  meet  all  his  pecuniary  engagements.  He  was 
cheered  with  many  testimonials  from  intelligent  brethren  in  favor 
of  this  new  work,  of  which  the  following  are  specimens. 

"  Randolph,  Vt. 

The  Hymn  book  exceeds  my  expectation,  in  the  selection, 
arrangement,  and  execution  of  the  work.  With  Pike,  also,  on 
the  character  of  Christ,  I  am  well  pleased.  Such  productions,  I 
think,  will  not  fail  to  excite  an  interest  in  the  Book  Establishment, 
and  produce  among  us  that  concert  which  is  essential  to  our  pros- 
perity. Yours,  S.  Robinson." 

"  Boston,  Sept.  7. 

I  am  glad  the  hymn  book  takes  so  Avell,  for  it  shows  discernment 
and  a  good  taste  in  our  brethren.  The  book,  as  a  whole,  is  not,  in 
my  opinion,  excelled  by  any  one  now  in  use  in  its  literary  character; 
and  its  religious  character  accords  fully  with  the  sentiments  of  our 
denomination.  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  it  will  be  approved  by 
every  competent  judge.  John  K.  Simpson." 

Another  edition  of  the  hymn  book  being  called  for,  it  was  deci- 
ded to  issue  it,  and  for  this  purpose  Mr.  Beede  was  again  employed 
to  go  to  Boston.  So  much  expense  had  been  incurred,  and  so 
much  inconvenience  suffered  for  want  of  a  printing  press,  that 


DAVID   MARKS. 


303 


BINSON. 


Ml.  Marks  (with  the  oonourronoo  of  the  Pul)lisliin;r  Conimit- 
tt  i)  WHS  now  bt'iit  on  purohasing  ono,  t^pocially  a.s  Ik'  was  nnx- 
io'is  that  a  periodical,  devoted  to  the  interests  of  religion  and 
tlie  reforms  of  the  day,  should  be  iMued  by  the  Hook  Concern, 
lie  concluded,  however,  to  del.ay  any  action  till  the  meeting  of  the 
General  Conference  in  October,  and  wait  their  advice.  The  con- 
ductors of  the  Morning  Star  had  made  proposals  to  sell  to  him,  as 
the  Agent  of  the  denomih.i 'm,  tlieir  establishment;  and  as  the 
publisher  and  patron-  of  tluu  p«per  were  Free-will  Haptists,  and 
the  issuing  of  another  p(  i  iodical  mij/lit  create  a  clashing  of  inter- 
ests, he  thought  seriously  of  i"'cepting  their  proposals.  The  Morn- 
ing Star  had  been  published  for  seven  years  and  bad  about  one  thous- 
and and  six  hundred  subscribers.  He  looked  forward  to  the  ensu- 
ing Conference  with  much  interest,  as  a  session  that  would  do  much 
for  the  prosperity  of  the  denomination.  lie  wrote  to  Mr.  Beede 
on  this  subject,  as  follows :  "  The  mission  cause,  supjx)rt  of  the 
ministry,  the  Book  Concern,  its  establishment,  number  of  directors, 
its  rules,  a  printing  press,  a  periodical,  «&c.  &c.  are  weighty  sub- 
jects on  which  there  should  be  mature  deliberation  and  resolves  at 
the  next  General  Conference.  I  wish  you  would  indite  some  reso- 
lutions on  these  subjects  previous  to  the  Conference.  If  brethren 
of  piety  and  talent  would  do  this,  it  would  greatly  facilitate  busi- 
ness and  save  precious  time." 

During  the  remainder  of  September,  Mr.  Marks  preached  in 
several  towns  in  the  southwestern  part  of  Maine,  and  eastern  j)ait 
of  New  Hampshire,  attended  the  Maine  Western  yearly  meeting 
at  Parsonsfield,  and  the  ministers'  conference  of  the  Sandwich 
quarterly  meeting  in  Holdemess.  The  latter  met  for  the  purpose 
of  discussing  the  Unitarian  views  of  the  character  of  Christ,  and 
the  doctrine  of  the  annihilation  of  the  wicked,  there  being  a  few 
members  of  the  conference  supposed  to  believe  these  sentiments. 
The  discussion  continued  three  days,  and  resulted  in  the  following 
re>?olves.  "That  we  agree  with  the  report  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence on  the  character  of  Christ — that  the  souls  of  the  wicked  are 
in  a  state  of  punishment  between  death  and  the  judgment — that 
the  punishment  of  the  wicked  is  without  end." 

During  this  period,  Mr.  Marks  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Beede, 
from  which  the  following  is  taken. 

"Boston,  Sept.  19,  1832. 
*  *  *  My  views  upon  the  various  subjects  about 
which  we  have  conversed  so  much,  are  far  from  being  those  of  edu- 
cation. If  they  were,  I  should  be  a  blind  sectarian.  They  have 
been  formed  from  careful  research,  meditation,  and  prayer.  My 
object  has  been  to  know  the  truth,  not  to  find  this,  that,  or  the  oth- 
er opmion  supported.    To  get  a  knowledge  of  our  own  nature  and 


4 

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304 


MEMOIRS    OF 


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faculties,  sufficiently  to  distinguish  how  much  of  our  religious  creed, 
attachments,  and  preferences  to  particular  modes  and  forms,  is  the 
offspring  of  prejudice,  edur^^^-.on,  or  ignorance,  and  how  much  is 
the  offspring  of  God's  truth,  requires  an  extensive  philosophical 
study  of  the  physical,  intellectual,  and  moral  powers  of  man,  with 
all  the  candor  and  humility  that  a  heart  filled  with  God's  grace  can 
give  us.  The  spirit  of  a  man  only  knows  the  things  of  a  man ; 
but  if  the  things  of  a  mi4,n  are  not  studied  by  him,  he  ever  remains 
ignorant  of  his  own  nature,  and  unless  he  has  much  fervent  charity, 
he  becomes  a  bigot  rather  than  a  Christian.  That  man  who  has 
become  well  acquainted  with  his  own  intellectual  and  moral  pow- 
ers, is  in  a  suitable  state  of  preparation,  through  the  illuminating 
power  of  God's  Spirit,  to  understand  God's  truth.  None  others 
can  consistently  hold  it  without  mixture  with  prejudice  and  imper- 
fection. A  man  may  have  the  heart  of  a  saint  with  the  judgment 
partially  of  an  idiot.  He  may  possess  all  holiness  of  heart,  and 
yet,  through  prejudice,  hold  doctrines  contrary  to  God,  and  that 
would  lead  others  to  ruin.  Hence  the  propriety  of  serving  God, 
with  body,  soul,  and  spirit ;  of  employing  adl  the  capacities  of  mind 
as  well  as  of  our  wills  and  bodies,  in  keeping  his  commands.  But, 
my  brother,  I  acknowledge  myself  i,o  be  very  deficient  as  to  serv- 
ing God  in  any  way  as  I  ought.  I  am  too  often  under  the  influ- 
ence of  pride,  ignorance  and  sloth.  So  far  as  you  have  seen  me 
wrong,  I  wish  you  to  reprove  me.         *         *         *         * 

From  twelve  to  twenty  persons  have  died  here  with  the  cholera. 
I  have  just  returned  from  a  walk  taken  to  inspect  the  district, 
where  the  pestilence  has  principally  appeared.  The  street  [Elli- 
ot] is  the  most  noted  for  prostitution  of  any  in  Boston.  It  is  low, 
wet,  and  every  thing  about  it  appears  filthy.  I  think  they  might 
honestly  have  the  cholera,  or  some  other  pestilence,  without  its  be- 
ing communicated  from  abroad.         *        * 

Yours  in  love, 

S.  Beede." 

In  the  early  part  of  October,  Mr.  Marks  attended  the  Vermont 
yearly  meeting  in  Cabot:  thence,  preaching  daily,  he  went  to  Mer- 
edith, N.  H.  where  the  General  Conference  opened  its  sixth  session, 
October  10,  and  to  which  he  had  again  been  appointed  a  delegate 
by  the  Holland  Purchase  yearly  meeting.  The  Conference  took 
high  ground  on  the  various  subjects  brought  before  them.  They 
resolved  there  selves  into  a  temperance  society,  appointed  a  Board 
for  Foreign  Missions,  and  a  board  of  Trustees  for  the  Parsonsfield 
Seminary.  As  there  had  been  much  misrepresentation  of  the  sen- 
timents of  Free-will  Baptists,  which,  in  some  places,  had  been  a 
barrier  to  their  usefulness,  the  Conference  decided  that  a  Treatise 
should  bf;  prepared,  embodying  the  general  views  and  practice  of 


DAVID    MARKS. 


305 


Free-will  Baptists,  and  presented  to  the  next  General  Conference 
lor  their  approval.  The  Conference  highly  approbated  their  Book 
Agent  "  for  his  faithfulness  and  ability  in  conducting  the  business 
in  all  its  parts,"  re-appointed  him  Agent,  advised  the  purchase  of 
the  Morning  Star,  and  added  three  more  to  the  Publishing  Com- 
mittee, viz.  Hosea  Quinby,  Silas  Curtis,  D.  P.  Cilley. 

The  following  particulars  relative  to  the  purchase  of  the  print- 
ing establishment,  are  taken  from  an  article  Mr.  Marks  addressed 
to  Free-will  Baptists  through  the  Star. 

"  As  Agent  for  the  Conference,  I  have  ventured  to  become  per- 
sonally responsible  for  the  payment  of  about  S3700  in  the  pur- 
chase of  the  Morning  Star,  in  order  that  this  establishment  may 
become  the  property  of  the  denomination,  and  this  periodical  be 
under  its  direction.  The  debts  for  which  I  was  personally  respon- 
sible for  the  Book  Concern  at  the  time  of  this  purchase,  were 
about  S2000 ;  so  that  now  I  am  bound  for  the  payment  of  nearly 
*6000  for  the  denomination,  and  if  circumstances  should  be  favor- 
able, so  that  I  can  v/ith  the  utmost  diligence  meet  these  engage- 
ments, then  whatever  profits  may  have  arisen  will  belong  to  the 
denomination ;  for  1  have  given  an  instrument  according  to  law, 
binding  myself,  heirs,  &c.,  to  deliver  this  property  to  the  Trustees 
of  the  Conference — but,  on  the  other  hand,  if  pestilence  should 
put  an  end  to  business,  if  any  unforeseen  losses  should  accrue,  or 
the  influence  of  enemies  interfere,  or  if  the  indifference  of  breth- 
ren should  prevent  success,  if  these,  or  any  other  misfortunes,, 
should  blast  my  hopes,  and  render  payment  impossible — then  I' 
shall  be  exposed  to  all  the  afflictions  of  a  failure,  and  sustain  the 
loss  of  all  my  own  property,  without  the  least  ground  of  redress 
iv{jT2  any  source,  except  it  be  from  the  good  feelings  of  the  denom- 
ination to  which  I  belong.  It  has  been  with  trembling,  and  after 
many  praters  and  tears,  that  I  have  taken  upon  me  these  respon- 
sibilities, I  would  have  preferred  to  delay  the  purchase  of  the 
printing  establishment,  until  the  funds  of  the  Book  Concern  should 
be  sufficient  to  purchase  one,  without  contracting  a  debt,  but 
circumstances  were  such  that  it  was  thought  the  longer  the  pur- 
chase was  delayed,  the  greater  would  be  the  difficulty  with  which 
it  would  be  effected.  The  hope,  therefore,  that  every  brother  will" 
lend  a  helping  hand,  and  that  by  gaining  this  establishment  for  the 
denomination,  there  will  be  laid  a  permanent  foundation  for  the 
spread  of  religious  knowledge,  by  which  hundreds  of  churches  will  be 
benefited,  and  thousands  of  souls  converted,  has  induced  me  to  en- 
ter cheerfully  into  these  engagements.  "  But,"  said  a  brother  since 
I  took  upon  me  these  obligations,  "  Brother  Marks,  I  fear  you  are 
leaving  the  word  of  God  to  serve  tables."  The  answer  I  gave 
that  brother,  I  would  give  to  all  my  friends  who  have  similar  fears.. 
26* 


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306 


MEMOIRS    OF 


The  service  of  tables  is  the  procuring  of  necessaries  for  tli':  desti- 
tute. Now,  so  far  from  leaving  the  word  of  God  to  do  this,  I  have 
disregarded,  to  a  considerable  degree,  my  temporal  interest,  and 
an  easy  manner  of  living,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  publishing  the 
word  of  God,  and  tliis  in  such  a  way  as  to  lay  a  foundation  to  en- 
able others  to  publish  it  when  I  am  dead.  I  do  believe,  if  it  shall 
please  God  to  bless  my  labors  to  the  success  of  this  design,  I  shall 
thereby  be  made  instrumental,  in  the  end,  of  converting  ten  times 
as  many  souls,  as  I  could  by  any  other  course.  Again,  another 
objects :  "  This  work  is  good  and  important ;  but  may  be  attended 
to  by  others,  and  you  may  devote  your  whole  time  to  preaching." 
I  have  but  one  work,  and  this  is  the  publishing  of  the  gospel  by 
every  means  possible,  and  I  believe  there  is  no  way  that  I  can  be 
more  useful,  than  the  one  in  which  I  am  engaged.  The  es- 
tablishment of  a  well  regulated  Book  Concern,  on  a  permanent  ba- 
sis, is  a  task  attended  with  no  small  difficulty  by  any  denomination. 
Many  attempts  have  been  made,  and  few  have  succeeded  to  any 
extent.  Indeed  I  know  of  none  except  the  Methodist  Book  Con- 
cern, and  that  has  been  favored  with  great  advantages.     *     * 

D.  Marks. 


%'i% 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


Ihur  to  New  York  and  Upper  Canada^  return  to  New  England, 
:■  another  tour  to  New   York,  labors  in  Neiv  England  till  Septem- 
ber, 1835,  return  to  Neio  York,  journey  to  Upper  Canada. 

'  Journal.  "  At  the  close  of  the  General  Conference,  I  set  ni}- 
face  towards  New  York,  accompanied  by  my  companion.  We  had 
now  been  in  New  England  more  than  two  years ;  and,  for  tlie 
spread  of  the  gospel,  had  been  situated  like  certain  preachers  that 
lived  in  Asia  eighteen  hundred  years  ago,  "  having  no  certain  abid- 
ing place."  On  the  way,  we  attended  the  New  Durham  quarterly 
meeting  in  Canterbury ;  the  brethren  gave  me  the  most  liberal 
contribution  I  had  ever  received.  In  Fishersfield,  I  had  an  in- 
terview with  Elder  Timothy  Morse.  [Elder  Morse  had  been  a 
very  successful  preacher,  and  was  cotemporary  with  Randall.  Ed.] 
The  June  previous,  I  was  much  struck  with  a  remark  he  made  as 
he  arose  to  preach.  "  Brethren,"  said  he,  "  I  have  come  to  finish 
up  ray  work.  I  shall  never  attend  our  yearly  meeting  again,  or 
preach  to  you  any  more."  His  sermon  was  more  like  the  last 
warning  of  a  faithful  minister,  than  like  usual  preaching.  Still  I 
could  not  then  think  he  was  about  to  die,  as  his  appearance  did  not 


DAVID   MARKS. 


307 


interest,  and 


betray  much  ill  health.  But  now,  his  pale  countenance  witnessed 
with  his  testimony  that  his  end  was  nigh.  He  was  sitting  in  a 
chair,  with  a  staff  in  his  hand,  just  able  to  walk  about  the  house. 
Said  he,  "  I  have  finished  my  work,  and  am  almost  home,  and  all  I 
fear,  is,  that  I  shall  commit  sin  in  my  anxiety  to  be  gone."  He 
exhorted  me  to  continue  steadfast,  and  expressed  great  comfort  in 
the  reflection  that  he  had  preached  plain  truth  in  the  simplicity  of 
the  gospel,  witnessing  day  and  night  against  the  spirit  and  pride  of 
the  world.  He  said  he  had  felt  great  satisfaction  in  seeing  the 
establishment  of  a  Book  Concern,  and  rejoiced  that  the  denomination 
was  furnished  with  such  an  excellent  hymn  book.  I  felt  very  sol- 
emn as  I  took  my  leave,  being  satisfied  that  his  abundant  and  faith- 
ful labors  were  done. 

Sabbath,  October  21,  I  preached  in  "Windsor,  Vt.,  and  during  the 
week  proceeded  to  Russia,  N.  Y.  where  we  were  very  courteously 
received  by  the  Free-commtmion  Baptists.  Sabbath,  Oct.  28, 1  had 
the  privilege  of  preaching  Christ  to  them.  Leaving  Russia,  I  attended 
meetings  with  the  churches  in  Fabius  and  Spaiford.  In  the  latter 
place,  there  had  been  considerable  departure  from  the  faith,  in  em- 
bracing Morraonism.  Consequently,  the  exposure  of  this  delusion 
was  the  subject  of  discourse.  If  we  were  correctly  informed,  the 
Mormons  had  gathered  a  church  of  about  forty  members,  made  up 
mostly  of  Methodists,  Presbyterians,  and  Free-will  Baptists.  Nov. 
2,  we  arrived  at  my  father's  in  Tyre,  (formerly  a  part  of  Junius,) 
where  we  met  a  very  affectionate  reception.  After  having  a  sol- 
emn interview  with  my  youngest  brother  in  an  adjacent  town,  who 
was  thought  to  be  lying  at  the  point  of  death,  we  continued  our 
journey  to  Canandaigua.  A  revival  was  progressing  here,  and 
within  a  few  months,  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  souls  had 
been  added  to  the  Lord.  We  remained  a  few  days,  and  had  heav- 
enly seasons  in  the  worship  of  God.  In  this  time  I  had  the  piivi- 
lege  of  baptizing  my  brother  next  younger  than  myself,  and  my 
only  sister.  : 

Tuesday,  TTov.  13,  we  left  Canandaigua  on  a  tour  to  Upper  Cana- 
da, and  on  arriving  at  Rochester,  were  courteously  received  by  Mr. 
Graham,  formerly  a  resident  in  Canada.  This  gentleman  contin- 
ued with  his  family  in  this  city,  during  the  raging  of  the  late  pes- 
tilence. While  surrounded  by  the  overflowing  scourge,  Mrs.  Gra- 
ham stood  by  the  bed  of  the  sick  and  dying,  to  administer  to  their 
wants.  It  was  thought  more  dangerous  to  be  with  the  dead  than 
with  the  sick ;  still  when  she  heard  that  five  had  died  in  a  neigh- 
boring house,  and  that  the  body  of  the  last  was  now  left  alone,  she 
hastened  to  the  deserted  dwelling,  and  was  much  affected  by  the 
silent  gloom  that  reigned  in  this  house  of  death.  She  returned 
home,  was  soon  seized  by  the  cholera,  and  her  case  considered 


^'■'im 


-'II 


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308 


MEMOIRS    OF 


hopeless.     She  was  composed,  for  her  trust  was  in  God.     Med- 
icine had  tlie  desired  effect,  her  spasms  ceased,  and  she  recovered. 
Thursday,  Nov.   15,  I  attended  a  meeting  in  Clarkson.     The 
church  was  enjoying  a  revival,  and  several  presented  themselves 
for  prayer.     The  Sabbath  following,  1  preached  in  Lewiston  ;  next 
day,  crossed  the  Niagara,  and  arrived  at  St.   Catharines,  wet  and 
M^nry.     Here  we  met  friends  who  had  suffered  the  severest  be- 
reavements by  the  cholera.     Leaving  St.  Catharines,  we  proceed- 
ed to  Hamilton,  a  small  village  near  the  head  of  lake  Ontario,  where 
we  were  informed  that  the  pestilence  suddenly  made  its  appearance 
without  any  known  medium  of  introduction,  and  soon  forty-two 
were  hurried  to  eternity.     Nov.  22,  we  met  a  most  affectionate 
welcome  at  the  parental  home  in  Zorrn,  and  our  hearts  were  filled 
with  thankfulness  for  that  guardian  care  and  protection  that  had  at- 
tended us  through  the  fatigues  of  a  long  tedious  journey,  amidst 
the  rains  of  autumn,  and  the  deep  mud,  that  in  this  section  of  coun- 
try makes  travelling  at  this  season  extremely  wearisome  both  to 
man  and  beast.     I  spent  ten  days  in  this  town  and  in  Oxford, 
preached  twelve  sermons  in  different  neighborhoods,  and  enjoyed 
some  very  comforting  seasons.    In  the  latter  town  we  visited  the  be- 
reaved family  of  the  late  Col.  C.  Ingersoll.   He  officiated  at  our  mar- 
riage ceremony,  and  for  several  years  was  a  member  of  parliament. 
In  a  former  visit,  more  than  two  years  since,  we  were  affectionate- 
ly received  in  his  family,  and  the  sun  of  fortune  shone  brightly  on 
all  their  earthly  prospects.     Mr.  Ingersoll  did  not  profess  to  be  a 
Christian,  but  listened  with  complaisance  to  my  entreaties  that  he 
would  choose  the  better  part,  sometimes  dropped  a  tear,  and  as  the 
claims  of  the  gospel  were  urged  upon  him,  confessed  his  duty. 
"When  the  cholera  unsheathed  its  sword  on  this  continent,  he  invit- 
ed his  friends,  whose  situation  exposed  them  to  the  pestilence,  to 
take  refuge  in  his  retired  dwelling,  little  thinking  it  would  be  the 
scene  of  its  ravages.     He  had  continued  his  neglect  of  God,  till  a 
few  weeks  previous  to  his  death,  when  he  became  very  thoughtful, 
and  built,  at  his  own  expense,  a  small,  convenient  house  for  public 
worship.     He  finally  became  very  solemnly  impressed  with  tlie 
idea  that  he  was  going  to  dit,  and  decided  to  submit  to  the  Savioi'. 
Accordingly,  he  wrote  his  will,  and  felt  that  his  peace  was  made 
with  God.     Soon  after,  there  were  a  few  cases  of  cholera  in  his 
neighborhood.     Next  Mr.  Ingersoll's  son,  aged  thirteen  years,  was 
seized,  and  soon  afterwards  Mr.  Ingersoll.     The  son  died  at  eight 
in  the  morning,  was  buried  at  twelve,  A.  M.,  and  the  father  at 
eight  in  the  evening,  and  at  the  lonely  hour  of  midnight  was  laid 
in  the  grave  by  the  side  of  his  son.     He  was  composed  and  happy, 
and  had  his  senses  till  a  short  time  before  his  death." 


DAVID   MARKS. 


309 


Mr.  Marks  left  Oxford  on  INIonday,  Dec.  4,  to  visit  the  Free-will 
Baptist  cliurches  in  the  towns  west.  Some  particulars  are  detail- 
ed in  the  following  letter. 

"London,  December  12,  1832. 
My  dear  wife, 

*  *  .  On  the  day  I  left  my  "  world  of  comfort,"  I 
preached  in  Westminster.  Though  thickly  settled,  there  was 
scarcely  a  professor  of  religion  in  the  neighborhood.  Still,  the 
people,  by  their  solemnity  and  attention  to  the  word,  manifested 
that  they  were  not  indifferent  to  "  life's  great  concern."  Tuesday 
evening,  I  had  a  meeting  in  Nissouri,  and  the  day  following,  I  went 
to  the  north  part  of  London,  accompanied  by  two  brethren.  "We 
had  to  swim  our  horses  over  the  north  branch  of  the  Thames  ;  I  got 
wet  and  was  much  fatigued,  and  next  morning  found  that  my  expos- 
ures, together  with  improper  food,  had  greatly  debilitated  my  stomach, 
so  that  I  have  since  been  able  to  retain  little  food  except  gruel  and 
broiled  fresh  meat.  As  a  consequence,  my  strength  is  considerably 
reduced.  I  have  had  blessed  meetings  with  the  church  in  London. 
Several  of  the  unconverted  in  the  vicinity  have  covenanted  with 
me  to  seek  the  Lord.  A  new  church  of  twenty-one  members  has 
been  gathered  in  the  east  part  of  the  town.  In  Southwold  I  found 
the  state  of  religion  low — the  church  had  had  little  preaching  for 
many  months.  Our  meetings,  however,  were  considerably  refreshing. 
There  are  now  five  churches  of  our  denomination,  all  situated 
within  forty  miles  of  each  other.  I  am  of  opinion  that  they  might 
be  profitably  organized  into  a  quarterly  meeting.  I  am  to  preach 
again  in  this  place,  and  then  in  Westminster,  on  my  return  to  Ox- 
ford. 

Li  general,  I  have  felt  comforted  by  the  presence  of  our  dear 
Redeemer,  but  I  feel  the  need  of  being  more  devoted  to  Him.  O 
that  I  were  more  spiritual,  more  humble,  and  that  my  faith  in  God 
was  stronger.  This  morning  I  felt  depressed,  under  a  sense  of  my 
un worthiness,  and  entered  into  a  covenant  to  be  more  faithfu^  We 
have  but  little  wdiile  to  stay  in  this  vale  of  tears,  and  my  pr  er  to 
Gk)d  is,  that  the  interests  of  Zion,  the  salvation  of  souls,  :  d  the 
glory  of  Grod,  may  be  our  only  object  and  aim ;  in  this  way,  we 
shall  enjoy  peace  of  conscience,  peace  with  God,  and  we  shall  en- 
joy even  this  life  better  than  it  could  be  possibly  enjoyed  otherwise. 
Sometimes  the  thought  occurs,  that  we  may  not  meet  again  in  this 
world ;  yes,  many  friends  have  parted  even  indifferently  for  a 
much  less  time,  who  never  met  again  on  earth  ;  but — thank  kind 
Heaven  for  one  thing — while  we  have  been  together,  we  have  liv- 
ed in  the  love  of  God,  and  should  our  parting  be  a  Jinal  one,  the 
one  that  shall  go  will  be  the  gainer,  and  the  one  that  stays  will  have 
an  Almighty  Protector,  and  an  eternal  Friend.     O  how  good  it  is 


1 

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MtlMOmS   OF 


to  feel  and  know,  that  for  us  "  to  live  is  Clirist,  and  to  die  would  be 
gain ;"  therefore  let  us  patiently  submit  to  God  in  all  things,  be 
thankful  for  his  mercies,  and  prepared  for  the  ills  of  life,  which 
are  inseparable  from  this  mortal  state.  My  love  to  our  parents, 
brothers,  sister,  and  friends.     Farewell. 

Your  affectionate  husband, 

David  Marks. 

Journal.  "  Dec.  23.  We  bade  our  dear  parents  farewell,  and 
commenced  our  return  to  Canandaigua.  I  preached  in  the  Meth- 
odist chapel  in  St.  Catharines,  and  was  abundantly  favored.  The 
people  treated  me  very  affectionately.  Dec.  29  and  30,  we  attend- 
ed the  Monroe  quarterly  meeting  in  Clarkson,  which  was  followed 
by  a  revival.  Recently  in  Clarkson  village,  more  than  one  hun- 
dred had  turned  to  the  Lord.  Jan.  2 — 8,  1833,  I  spent  in  Canan- 
daigua, preaching  daily,  and  rejoiced  to  see  some  fruit  of  my  la- 
bors. Jan.  9,  I  set  out  for  the  Benton  quarterly  meeting  in  Mid- 
dlesex ;  such  was  the  state  of  the  roads  that  I  was  nearly  ten 
hours  travelling  ten  miles,  but  by  industry  and  perseverance,  I 
succeeded  in  getting  through  the  next  day.  A  profitable  season 
was  enjoyed,  and  I  was  permitted  to  greet  several  of  my  earliest 
Christian  friends.  Leaving  Middlesex,  I  went  to  China  and  attend- 
ed the  Genesee  quarterly  meeting,  (formerly  called  Bethany.)  On 
the  Sabbath,  the  congregation  was  large,  and  not  having  a  conven- 
ient house  for  worship,  three  separate  meetings  were  held.  In  this 
place,  the  Mormon  delusion  had  ensnared  several  who  seemed  to 
have  lost  the  power  to  reason.  In  vain  do  the  Christians  of  dif- 
ferent denominations  think  that  their  many  conclusive  arguments 
will  prevent  the  spread  of  this  delusion.  Alas !  there  are  thou- 
sands who  have  no  taste  for  reading  any  thing  till  the  Mormon  bi- 
ble comes,  and  then  they  are  so  ignorant  as  to  think  it  all  wonder- 
ful, miraculous,  and  purely  from  God.  If  their  leaders  find  any 
difficulty  in  persuading  them  to  do  any  thing  they  please,  there  is 
one  way  in  which  they  are  sure  of  success.  Like  Mahomet,  they 
come  with  a  new  command  from  Heaven,  exactly  suited  to  their 
wishes,  and  their  ends  are  accomplished. 

From  Jan.  21  to  Feb.  9,  I  preached  daily  among  the  churches 
of  the  Genesee  quarterly  meeting,  and  labored,  as  opportunity  of- 
fered, to  enlist  their  efforts  in  the  Book  Concern,  foreign  missions, 
and  the  temperance  cause.  I  next  attended  the  Erie  quarterly 
meeting,  at  Little  Valley.  The  reports  from  these  churches  were 
i.  ifreshing,  though  there  was  a  great  cry  among  destitute  churches 
for  help.  The  meetings  of  worship  were  very  much  crowded,  and 
several  came  forward  for  prayer.  The  Erie  quarterly  meeting 
has  now  twenty-three  churclies,  and  only  six  ordainer^    preachers. 


DAVID    MARKS. 


311 


two  of  whom  are  laid  aside  on  account  of  sickness.  Two  years 
previous,  a  travelling  ministry  was  established  in  this  quarterly 
meeting.  Revivals  spread  under  their  labors  in  every  direction  : 
nine  churches  were  gathered,  and  three  preachers  ordained.  One 
of  the  ministers  baptized  more  than  a  hundred.  Leaving  Little 
Valley,  I  met  thirteen  appointments,  and,  Feb.  27,  arrived  in  Can- 
andaigua." 

The  discussion  of  slavery  had  at  this  time  just  commenced,  and 
the  Colonization  Society  was  enjoying  the  confidence  of  many  true 
friends  of  the  slave.  Mr.  Marks  wrote  thus  on  this  subject,  in  re- 
ply to  a  letter  received  from  Elder  Elias  Hutchins,  who  was  then 
in  North  Carolina.  Elder  Hutchins'  letter  was  written  during  ihe 
prevalence  of  a  dreadful  panic  in  a  portion  of  the  south,  occasion- 
ed by  an  insurrection  of  a  few  slaves  in  Virginia^  led  on  by  Nat 
Turner. 


Dear  Brother, 

«         «         « 


«  February  15,  1833. 


As  to  what  you  write  of  slavery,  it  is  true 
the  evil  is  great,  and  I  know  not  what  will  be  the  result  more  than 
you  do ;  but  I  think,  we,  as  a  nation,  may  boast  in  vain  of  free- 
dom, while  we  hold  our  fellow  man  in  slavery.  The  slave  trade 
has  led  to  the  making  of  laws  of  a  piece  with  it,  and  this  iniquity 
is  established  by  law.  Connected  with  slavery,  is  the  expediency 
of  keeping  the  poor  creatures  in  ignorance ;  and  a  multitude  of 
evils  follow  of  necessity.  But  I  believe  God  will  overrule,  and 
these  slavish  bands  will  yet  be  broken  off.  May  that  blessed  day 
be  hastened.  As  to  the  danger  that  you  and  sister  Hutchins  are 
in,  from  the  rising  of  the  blacks,  I  hope  you  will  not  let  your  heart 
be  troubled,  for  you  know  in  whom  you  have  believed :  and  con- 
soling will  be  the  reflection,  that  not  a  hair  of  your  heads  can  fall 
to  the  ground  without  the  notice  of  your  Heavenly  Father.  May 
a  sense  of  the  protecting  care  of  Him  who  delivered  you  from  the 
tempestuous  deep  during  your  voyage,  comfort  your  heart,  and 
keep  your  soul  in  perfect  peace.  But  as  we  know  not  when,  nor 
how,  it  will  please  our  Heavenly  Father  to  call  us  home,  it  should 
be  our  daily  labor  to  be  ever  ready,  so  that  should  the  call  be  like 
the  thief  in  the  night,  we  may  be  ready. 

I  believe  a  Society  that  is  very  popular  has  been  for  some  time 
in  successful  operation  for  the  removal  of  free  blacks  to  a  new  col- 
ony in  Africa.  Some  of  the  first  men  in  our  nation  have  been  ac- 
tive in  its  movements,  and  may  we  not  hope  that  such  Societies 
will  yet  banish  slavery  from  our  shores.  But  if  the  rising  of  the 
blacks  is  the  worst  difficulty  that  afflicts  you  in  North  Carolina,  it 
cannot  be  the  only  one  that  must  seriously  affect  the  people  of  that 


iv 


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'm 


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312 


MEMOinS   OF 


state.  The  course  pursued  and  still  peraisted  in  by  South  Caro- 
lina, I  tliink  muat  agitate  the  public  mind  in  the  vicinity  of  your 
travels.*  "What  is  this  sad  affair  about  to  amount  to  ?  In  this 
section  of  country,  the  people  are  generally  much  incensed  against 
the  movements  of  South  Carolina,  and  a  spirit  of  war  is  so  mucli 
awakened,  that,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  many  seem  to  thirst  for  blood, 
and  even  are  anxious  to  go  to  the  south  to  avenge,  with  the  swonl, 
the  treasonable  movements  of  the  Legislature  of  that  state.  While 
other  nations  have  been  in  commotion,  ours  has  long  enjoyed  peace, 
and  has  little  appreciated  the  value  of  its  blessings.  I  fear  our 
sins,  our  dreadful  sins,  have  provoked  the  Almighty,  and  that  our 
nation  must  receive  of  the  cup  of  his  indignation.         *         * 

My  health  is  very  poor :  dyspepsia  and  other  diseases  render 
my  life  quite  uncertain.  But  the  Lord  reigneth.  Glory  be  to 
God.     Farewell.     Your  brother  in  Christ, 

David  Marks. 

Journal.  "  In  the  early  part  of  March,  I  attended  a  few  meet- 
ings in  Scriba,  and  baptized  some.  The  brethren  were  steadfast, 
and  we  had  heavenly  seasons.  I  spent  the  remainder  of  the 
month  with  other  churches  in  the  Ontario  and  Benton  quarterly 
meetings.  My  dyspeptic  difficulties  had  severely  afflicted  ipe 
through  the  winter,  and  in  the  hope  of  being  benefited,  we  con- 
cluded to  "  keep  house"  a  few  days  in  our  own  little  home  in  Can- 
andaigua,  th«it  I  might  try  the  effect  of  a  regular  diet,  and  daily 
manual  labor,  at  the  same  time  preaching  less,  and  relinquishing 
study.  My  health  under  these  circumstances  improved  rapidly, 
and  I  was  soon  enabled  to  labor  and  attend  to  business  sometimes 
twenty  hours  in  twenty-four.     Blessed  be  God,  for  all  his  mercies. 

April  25 — 28, 1  attended  the  Monroe  quarterly  meeting  in  By- 
ron. It  was  a  time  of  mourning,  for  the  conference  had  before 
them  fair  examples  of  the  spirit  and  effects  of  false  doctrines. 
What  is  called  Campbellism  (being  understood  to  be  the  opinions 
of  Alexander  Campbell  and  Walter  Scott,)  had  entangled  the 
minds  of  some  of  the  preachers.  A  public  discussion  was  held,  in 
which  one,  who  had  embraced  these  views,  argued  that  the  Holy 
Spirit  does  not  influence  or  strive  with  the  world — that  his  mission 
was,  and  is  confined  to  the  church,  that  none  have  been  ministers 
of  Christ  except  such  as  were  sent  personally  by  him, — that  all 
true  ministers  in  this  day,  are  sent  by  the  church  to  convert  the 
world,  by  compelling  them,  with  sound  and  unanswerable  argu- 
ments, to  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of  Grod — that  the 
Scriptures,  abstract  from  the  Spirit,  are  our  only  guide — that  the 
only  things  necessary  for  one  to  become  a  Christian  are,  to  assent 

*  Rererence  is  had  to  the  nulliflcation  acts  of  South  Carolina. 


DAVID   MARKS. 


313 


to  the  truth  of  the  facts  contained  in  the  Scriptures,  reform,  and 
be  immersed  in  water — that  assent  to  the  truth,  and  a  purpose  of 
heart  to  obey  the  gospel,  are  sufficient  qualifications  for  baptism — 
that  b.aptism  is  regeneration,  and  by  it  one  is  bom  again,  and  in- 
ducted into  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  has  the  promise  of  the  Holy 
Spirit — that  repentance  and  faith,  without  immersion,  do  not  enti- 
tle one  to  the  promise  of  the  Spirit.  On  this  occasion,  I  believe 
the  Lord  especially  assisted  me  in  defending  his  truth,  and  in  ex- 
posing the  fallacy  of  these  views,  which  rob  Christianity  of  its  life 
and  soul. 

After  attending  a  few  meetings  in  the  vicinity  of  Byron  and 
Canandaigua,  Ave  bade  our  dear  western  brethren  farewell,  and 
commenced  our  return  to  New  England,  having  previously  notified 
a  line  of  appointments.  May  7 — 14,  I  preached  with  several 
churches,  and  attended  a  session  of  the  Benton  quarterly  meeting 
at  Middlesex.  Some  of  these  were  refreshing  seasons,  and  the 
churches  were  prospering.  May  15,  I  preached  in  Tyre,  (former- 
ly a  part  of  Junius,)  the  place  where  I  commenced  a  religious  life. 
Here  I  was  filled  with  joy,  for  many  who  used  to  be  scoffers  of  re- 
ligion were  now  happy  converts.  A  revival  had  almost  entirely 
changed  the  state  of  society,  and  rent  the  sad  gloom  that  once  veil- 
ed the  face  of  this  people.  Indeed,  this  whole  section  had  been 
wonderfully  blessed.  In  the  month  of  March,  protracted  meetings 
commenced  in  Auburn  (a  few  miles  from  Tyre)  with  the  Metho- 
dists and  Presbyterians,  which  continued  five  weeks,  in  which 
time,  as  we  were  informed,  six  hundred  joined  each  society,  making 
twelve  hundred  that  in  this  short  period  professed  to  turn  to  God. 

Leaving  Tyre,  we  proceeded  on  our  way  to  New  England,  but 
met  with  difficulties  occasioned  by  a  late  flood.  The  turnpike,  near 
the  Montezuma  marshes,  for  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile,  was 
overflowed  with  running  water,  from  one  to  two  feet  in  depth. 
AYhen  we  had  passed  this  almost  "  ocean  for  a  highway,"  we  hoped 
we  had  escaped  the  greatest  danger  in  our  journey ;  but,  the  next 
day,  soon  after  leaving  Weedsport,  before  we  were  aware,  we 
found  ourselves  surrounded  by  water,  and  the  road  entirely  wash- 
ed away.  The  only  alternative  was  to  proceed.  Our  horses  and 
carriage  were  washed  nearly  under  by  a  heavy  current  and  some 
damages  sustained.  Through  a  kind  Providence,  our  lives  were 
preserved,  and  after  a  few  hours,  we  were  able  again  to  go  for- 
ward. Sabbath,  May  19, 1  preached  in  Spafford  and  Fabius.  In 
the  former  place,  Mormonism  continued  to  bear  some  sway,  though 
its  adherents  had  been  divided  among  themselves.  Pursuing  our 
journey,  I  preached  in  Eaton,  Hamilton,  Trenton,  Russia,  Nor- 
way, N.  Y.,  in  Arlington  and  Windsor,  Vt.,  and  on  the  8th  of 
June,  arrived  at  Gilford,  N.  H. 
27 


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■fid 


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8U 


MEMOIRS   OF 


June  9  and  10,  the  New  Hampshire  yearly  meeting  was  helil  in 
Gilford,  and  its  interest  was  greatly  heightened  by  the  presence  of 
Mr.  Amos  Sutton,  General  Baptist  missionary  from  Orifisa.  His 
health  having  failed,  physicians  advised  a  voyage  to  a  northern 
climate.  He  decided  to  improve  the  opportunity  to  visit  America, 
and,  if  possible,  get  some  missionaries  to  return  with  him.  His 
pale,  emaciated  countenance  gave  an  additional  interest  to  his  ap- 
pearance. On  the  Sabbath,  it  was  judged  that  about  3000  were 
present ;  and  as  Mr.  Sutton  commenced  speaking,  every  eye  was 
fixed.  Said  he,  "  As  I  arise  to  speak,  I  seem  to  see  the  seventy 
millions  of  India,  with  bended  knees  and  tearful  eyes,  saying, 
'Sir,  plead  our  cause — plead  it  effectually.*  My  residence  is 
near  the  temple  of  Jugumath,  which  signifies  the  Lord  of  the 
world.  There  are  in  India  thirty-three  millions  of  gods.  There 
are  more  raissionaries  sent  out  from  Jugumath  to  invite  the  people 
to  make  pilgrimage  to  this  temple,  than  there  are  from  all  the 
Christian  world.  I  have  seen  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  peo- 
ple congregated  at  once  at  the  temple  of  Jugumath,  and  have  also 
seen  the  poor  worshippers  throw  themselves  under  the  wheels  of 
the  idol's  car,  where  they  were  crushed  to  death  !  mashed  iii  pieces, 
and  as  the  spokes,  which  were  made  to  project  through  'ho  felloes, 
fell  upon  them,  I  have  seen  their  blood  and  brains  spiT*.  in  every 
direction!"  Mr.  Sutton  exhibited  a  number  vf  idols  :  uugurnath, 
their  principal  god,  was  a  strange  and  ugly  looking  image.  He 
stated  some  of  the  arguments  by  which  his  deluded  worshippers 
proved  his  divinity.  One  was,  his  ears  came  down  to  his  shoul- 
ders ;  another,  that  he  could  sit  in  the  position  represented  by  his 
image.  [The  position  of  a  tailor.]  Another  argument  in  proof  of 
his  divinity  was,  that  from  the  top  of  his  hoaJ  there  arose  a  kind 
of  spire,  which  they  supposed  to  be  the  projection  of  the  rays  of 
glory.  He  related  many  affecting  anecdotes,  among  which  was  the 
following : 

"  One  day,  as  I  went  out  into  a  neighboring  village  to  preach,  I 
saw  a  woman  with  an  infant,  apparently  about  eight  months  old, 
lying  under  a  tree,  in  the  agonies  of  the  cholera.  She  was  from 
upper  Hindoostan,  and  had  probably  been  deserted  by  her  friends. 
I  gave  her  some  medicine,  but  she  ooon  died.  The  poor  child 
seemed  almost  famished,  I  tried  to  get  some  one  in  the  village  to 
take  it,  but  met  with  the  uniform  answer,  "  Why,  let  it  die,  it  is 
only  a  girl."  After  about  two  hours'  effort,  I  succeeded  in  getting 
a  tea-cup  half  full  of  milk.  As  the  little  creature  saw  me  approach 
her,  she  stretched  out  her  little  hands  towards  me,  as  if  she  would 
say,  '  Sir,  have  pity  upon  me,  for  if  you  do  not,  there  is  not  one  in 
this  wide  world  that  wili^'  I  could  not  resist  this  touching  appeal. 
I  took  the  child  home  to  my  wife ;  we  adopted  her  as  our  own, 


DAVID   MARKS. 


815 


and  have  broiiglrt  her  with  us  to  this  country.  She  13  now  an  inter- 
esting little  girl,  about  five  years  old."  Mr.  Sutton's  delineations 
were  so  grai)hic  that  he  seemed  to  remove  his  hearers  to  the  seat 
of  idolatry,  and  to  cause  them  to  see  with  their  own  eyes  some  of 
the  sorrows  of  those  who  hasten  after  other  gods,  while  tears,  sighs, 
and  even  shrieks,  spoke  the  anguish  of  many  hearts.  At  the  close 
of  the  meeting,  a  collection  of  one  hundred  dollars  was  taken  for 
the  cause  of  missions.  How  criminal  have  been  our  ignorance  and 
neglect  of  this  holy  enterprise,  and  how  wonderful  that  providence 
that  has  illumined  our  darkness. 

Monday,  June  11,  we  left  Gilford  for  Limerick,  Me. ;  and,  on 
the  way,  spent  a  night  with  brother  Hosea  Quinby,  preceptor  of 
Pai'sonsfield  Seminary.  The  prospects  of  the  school  were  good, 
and  some  more  than  sixty  students  were  in  attendance.  June  13 
and  14,  I  met  with  the  Publishing  Committee.  The  Morning  Star 
had  been  enlarged  without  addition  to  the  price,^the  subscription 
list  had  been  much  increased,  and  Samuel  Beede  appointed  one  of 
the  assistant  editors.  My  time,  until  the  22d  of  June,  was  closely 
occupied  in  Limerick  and  vicinity,  in  preaching  and  attending  to 
business  for  the  Book  Concern.  During  this  time,  I  had  a  very 
interesting  interview  with  brother  Sutton,  and  some  conversation 
about  publishing  for  him  a  Narrative  of  the  Orissa  Mission. 

June  22.     Having  been  urgently  requested,  I  went  to  New  Dur- 
ham to  stay  a  few  days,  and  at  least  sigh  over  the  desolations  of 
Zion  in  the  place  where  our  denomination  took  its  rise.     The 
winds  of  doctrine  for  years  had  blasted  the  hopes  of  the  gospel  la- 
borer, and  Universalism  had  taken  many  in  its  snare.     Though 
the  state  of  the  church  in  this  place  could  not  be  compared  to  the 
temporal  desolations  that  have  succeeded  in  the  land  where  the 
gospel  of  Christ  was  first  preached,  yet,  in  general,  there  appeared 
little  activity  and  holy  zeal,  compared  with  what  we  might  expect 
in  a  place  where  Randall  labored  so  much,  and  where  his  sleeping 
dust  reposes.     Alas !  every  age  of  the  church  has  presented  a  prac- 
tical proof  that  this  is  a  backsliding  world.     I  held  a  few  meetings ; 
solemnity  clothed  the  congregations,  and  there  appeared  to  be  deep 
searchings  of  heart.     Sabbath,  June  30,  I  preached  three  times  to 
a  very  large  assembly.     In  the  last  meeting,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
was  in  our  midst  like  the  early  rain.     Several  came  forward  for 
prayer,  five  of  whom,  in  a  most  affecting  manner,  prayed  for  mer- 
cy.    One  of  these  soon  rejoiced,  and  another,  with-  great  anguish 
of  soul,  confessed  that  for  two  years  he  had  tried  to  believe  Uni- 
versalism ;  but  now  he  knew  it  would  not  do,  and  in  the  presence 
of  several  strong  advocates  of  this  system,  he  earnestly  prayed  God 
to  sweep  away  this  refuge  of  lies.     This  meeting  continued  with 
much  interest  for  five  hours.     The  five  ensuing  days,  I  visited 


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816 


MEMOIRS    OF 


from  liousft  to  lioii.m^,  and  attended  nioetiiif^s.  Numbers  came  for- 
ward for  prayer,  ftnd  several  were  eonverted. 

July  6  and  7,  1  attended  meetinj^s  at  (freat  Falls  and  Dover. 
At  the  latter  placi;  I  was  greatly  blessed  in  jireaelilng  from  Phil, 
6:6—8.  "  Let  this  mind  be  in  you  which  was  also  in  Christ  Je- 
sus," &c.  Never  had  I  felt  so  great  a  weight  of  the  subject  as  I 
did  at  this  time.  The  love  of  Christ  in  laying  aside  God-like 
form  and  riches,  that  we,  poor  rebels,  might  be  rich,  a[)peared  be- 
fore me  with  inexpressible  mjyesty,  and  the  mandate  of  the  Scrip- 
ture, "  Let  this  mind  he  in  you"  came  to  my  soul  so  full  of  mean- 
ing, that  I  was  filled  with  astonishment  that  Christians  could  be 
contented  to  do  so  little  for  the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom.  I  felt  so  much  convicted  by  the  truth  I  had  preached, 
that  I  determined  to  contribute  more  liberally  to  missions  of  the 
little  over  which  God  had  made  me  steward.  During  the  week  I 
held  several  meetings. 

Sabbath,  July  14.  At  an  early  hour  we  were  visited  by  a  thun- 
der shower,  and  a  beautiful  rainbow,  which  rendered  the  morning 
Tery  majestic.  Soon  afterwards  I  learned  that  three  persons  were 
killed  with  lightning  in  New  Hampton.  On  this  day,  I  held  five 
meetings,  and  baptized  a  young  brother  just  converted  from  sin 
and  Universalism.  He  came  out  of  the  water  praising  God,  and 
so  solemn  was  the  scene  that  many  wept. 

Having  agreed  with  Mr.  Sutton  to  publish  a  history  of  the  Gen- 
eral Baptist  Mission  in  Orissa,  I  went  to  Sandwich,  Monday,  July 
15,  and  engaged  brother  Beede  to  go  to  Boston  and  superintend 
its  publication.  Thence  I  returned  to  Limerick,  and  attended  to 
important  business  connected  with  the  Book  Concern.  Sabbath, 
July  21,  I  preached  to  a  large  assembly  in  Alton.  Great  attention 
was  paid  to  the  word,  and  fourteen  came  forward  for  prayer.  July 
28, 1  preached  in  New  Durham,  from  Luke  :  "  Cut  it  down,  why 
cumbereth  it  the  ground?"  It  was  a  solemn,  weeping  season. 
Five  penitents  continued  kneeling  and  praying  for  about  an  hour, 
as  though  loth  to  leave  till  they  had  evidence  of  their  submission 
to  Grod. 

Since  my  return  to  New  England,  my  New  York  correspondents 
had  continued  to  inform  me  of  the  havoc  Campbellism  was  making 
in  the  churches  of  the  Holland  Purchase  yearly  meeting.  Until 
the  introduction  of  these  sentiments,  there  had  been  the  most  hap- 
py union  in  this  branch  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  denomination. 
Now  the  yearly  meeting  was  in  a  very  distracted  condition.  Four 
ministers  of  considerable  influence,  had  embraced  these  views,  and 
had  zealously  propagated  them.  My  mind  had  become  so  pain- 
fully exercised,  that  I  had  concluded  it  was  my  duty  to  attend  the 
next  session  of  the  yearly  meeting,  which  was  to  be  held  the  ensu- 


DAVID   MARKS. 


S17 


ing  August,  five  hundred  luiles  distant.  Still  thorc  worn  obstacles 
ii  ny  way.  1  was  incurring  new  responsibilities  in  the  piihlioa- 
tio..  of  work'j  in  the  press;  the  expenses  of  my  journey  would 
amount  to  about  fifty  dollars,  and  it  was  a  critical  time  to  leave.  I 
had  scarcely  made  this  conclusion,  when  I  received  a  letter  from 
the  Monroe  quailerly  meeting,  requesting  me  to  attend  the  ensu- 
ing session  of  the  yearly  meeting,  and  offering  to  bear  my  expen- 
ses. As  I  had  been  stigmatized  by  one  of  the  leaders  of  this 
schism,  a^  the  " would-be-jwjw"  I  thought  the  j)re8ence  tuul  coun- 
sel of  some  of  our  older  eastern  ministers  would  be  a  blessing  to 
the  yearly  meeting.  Accordingly  I  went  to  Strafford,  and,  with 
much  entreaty,  persuaded  Elder  Place  to  accompany  me,  paying 
him  SIO  to  employ  a  man  on  his  farm  during  his  absence,  ancf  ob- 
ligating myself  to  bear  his  expenses,  or  see  that  they  were  borne.* 

Thursday,  Aug.  1,  I  went  to  New  Market,  and  met  a  very  af- 
fectionate reception  from  Elder  D.  P.  Cilley,  who  was  laboring  in 
this  place.  In  the  evening,  I  enjoyed  a  good  scjison  in  dispensing 
the  word  of  life,  but  I  understood  that  several  who  liad  supposed 
the  minister  would  preach  so  as  to  electii.y  them,  went  away  dis- 
appointed. During  the  three  days  following,  I  preached  in  the 
same  place.  The  Sabbath  was  a  day  of  intense  interest.  My  soul 
was  unusually  enlarged  in  speaking,  while  deep  solemnity  clothed 
the  audience.  Many  tears  were  shed,  and  there  appeared  a  pros- 
pect that  good  would  follow.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  brother 
Cilley  baptized  five  happy  convertr,  nearly  all  of  whom  came  out 
of  the  water  shouting  and  praising  God.  The  large  attentive  as- 
sembly on  the  banks  of  the  stream,  seemed  much  affected.  A  re- 
vival followed,  and,  I  was  informed,  that  two  days  after  this  meet- 
ing, twenty  were  converted.  The  week  following,  I  spent  in  Lim- 
erick, making  preparation  for  my  journey.  Sabbath,  Aug.  11,1 
preached  three  sermons  at  Great  Falls,  and  the  "  word  of  the  Lord 
was  like  fire  shut  up  in  my  bones." 

The  location  of  the  printing  office  at  Limerick,  Me.  which  was 
an  inland  town,  witho'.it  a  bindery,  and  visited  by  the  mail  only 
twice  a  week,  subjected  Mr.  Marks,  as  Agent,  to  much  expense 
and  perplexity,  and  he  had  for  some  time  been  decided  to  effect,  if 
possible,  its  removal.  But  wishing  to  avoid  censure,  he  concluded 
to  submit  the  matter  to  the  ensuing  General  Conference.  He 
wrote  Mr.  Beede,  who  was  still  in  Poston,  on  this  and  other  sub- 
jects, as  follows : 

«  August  9,  1833. 

My  dear  brother, 

*         *        About  4500  copies  of  the  Scriptural  Catecliism 
are  published,  but  we  have  almost  endless  perplexities  in  publish- 

*  A  Utile  of  this  expense  was  deflrayed  by  brethren,  but  Mr.  Marks  paid  most  of  it. 

27* 


,<••: 


.;       ,1..' 


laK'j 


^S^ 


318 


MEMOIRS    OF 


IF    < 

J 


».l 


ing  books  in  the  country.  Just  to  print  tliis  little  work,  we  have 
had  to  send  a  man  twice  to  Portland,  [30  miles]  ani  in  one  in- 
stance, he  had  to  stay  five  days,  waiting  for  paper.  Brother  Burr 
and  myself  are  about  discouraged.  We  think  the  removal  of  the 
office  the  only  remedy ;  the  sooner  the  better,  unless  we  should  in- 
cur censure.  I  think  it  should  be  removed  by  the  advice  of  Con- 
ference, as  soon  as  the  first  of  November,  either  to  Dover  or  Bos- 
ton. 

July  30,  I  attended  the  first  meeting  of  the  corporation  of  the 
Strafford  Academy.  The  Legislature  has  granted  the  corporation 
the  privilege  of  holding  $15,000  without  taxation.  AboutSlOOO  have 
been  subscribed,  and  the  building  is  to  be  enclosed  and  fitted  for  a 
school  by  the  15th  of  October.  I  feel  deeply  the  want  of  a  systematic, 
theological  course  of  study.     You  have  been  instrumental,  in  some 


measure,  in 


correctmg 


my  opinions  on  different  points,  and  for 
this  I  thank  you.  I  hope  you  will  continue  your  favors,  and  give 
me  your  advice  with  regard  to  the  course  of  study  most  advisable 
for  me  to  pursue,  the  time  best  to  spend  in  it,  &c.  &c.,  and,  withal, 
pray  for  me,  that  I  may  ever  be  humble,  like  ali'  le  child,  and  that 
I  may  be  filled  with  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord.  For  some  months 
past,  I  have  had  such  a  sense  of  the  imperfect  state  of  the  church, 
the  lack  of  energy  in  its  ministers  and  membership,  that  my  heart 
has  bled  at  every  pore,  until  sometimes  I  have  almost  feared  I 
should  bleed  to  death.  Do  give  me  any  advice  you  may  see  need- 
ful, with  regard  to  my  exertions  for  the  service  of  Zion.  I  am 
willing,  yes,  it  is  my  blessed  privilege,  to  give  all  I  have  for  the 
sanctification  of  the  church  and  the  salvation  of  the  world.  God 
has  already  made  you  instrumental  of  much  good  among  us.  May 
you  keep  very  humble,  live  in  the  Spirit,  and  feel  your  dependence 
on  our  Heavenly  Father,  that  your  usefulness  may  abound.  I 
feel  my  spirit  greatly  stirred  up,  and  pressed  to  write  on  different 
topics  in  the  Star.  I  have  written  down  about  fifty  subjects,  on 
which  I  wish  I  could  write  immediately. 

I  have  been  well  pleased  in  general  with  your  articles  in  the 
Star.  Some  complain  of  your  pointed  pen  and  severe  rebukes. 
*  *  *  *  With  you,  I  am  satisfied  that  our  denom- 
ination needs  a  great  reform :  and  may  God  give  you  faith,  wis- 
dom, and  success,  as  a  reformer  among  us.  Although,  when  I  can- 
not see  the  propriety  or  usefulness  of  a  measure,  I  must  under- 
stand, said  judge,  and  act  for  myself,  I  assure  you,  I  will  not  de- 
sert you,  so  long  as  I  am  convinced  that  reform  will  be  the  effect 
of  your  labor,  and  thus  long  I  shall  be  happy  to  be  a  co-worker 
with  you.  I  have  sometimes  feared  you  would  be  discouraged  and 
leave  the  denomination ;  and  then  again,  I  have  thought  you 


DAVID   MARKS. 


319 


would  be  compelled  to  stay  with  us  for  conscience'  sake,  however 
much  you  may  be  grieved  with  our  imperfections.         *         * 
Fai'ewell.     Your  brother  in  tribulation,  D.  Ma^ks." 

Mr.  Beede's  reply  contained  the  following : 

*  *  "I  am  glad  to  have  you  collect  the  objections  you 
find  brethren  making  to  any  thing  of  mine,  and  wish  carefully  to 
weigh  them  all.  The  welfare  of  our  denomination  lies  near  my 
heart.  I  am  fully  convinced,  that  unless  a  bold  hand  of  reform 
and  improvement  is  exerted,  our  prosperity  cannot  be  secured. 
Slight  exertions  can  accomplish  nothing  answerable  to  the  crisis, 
because  we  need  much  change  from  long  established  practices,  and 
in  the  face  of  determined  opposition.  With  this  view,  I  have  pur- 
sued the  course  I  have,  in  the  Star,  in  perfect  accordance  with  the 
instructions  of  my  brethren  of  the  Committee  at  their  session  in 
January  last.  My  instructions  were  to  exhibit  Scripture  doctrine. 
This  I  have  endeavored  to  do,  carefully  withholding  eveiy  thing 
offensive,  which  the  crisis  does  not  absolutely  demand.  I  expect 
opposition — it  cannot  be  otherwise.  I  look  for  many  to  be  dissat- 
isfied— it  must  necessarily  be.  I  do  not  intend  to  faint  nor  be  in- 
timidated in  a  good  cause,  so  long  as  I  profess  the  name  of  Christ. 
But  unless  reform  succeeds  with  a  powerful  hand,  numbers  of  our 
intelligent  membei*s  will  leave,  for  their  usefulness  would,  in  their 
view,  be  more  promising  in  some  other  denomination  than  ours. 
"WTien  I  contemplate  the  pointed  exhibitions  of  errors  and  sins, 
and  the  sharp  reproofs  for  them,  that  are  conspicuous  in  Christ's 
teaching  addressed  to  the  Jews — in  the  epistles  to  the  Corinthians 
and  Galatians  (one  of  which  reproofs  was  given  to  the  inspired 
apostle,  Peter) — in  the  epistles  of  James  and  Peter — and  in  those 
addressed  to  the  seven  churches  of  Asia — and  when  I  reflect  that 
all  these  were  addressed  directly  to  the  professed  followers  of  God, 
or  professed  teachers  of  the  people,  and  that  too  in  a  public  man- 
ner ;  and  when  I  am  also  conscious,  that  the  most  useful  and  pious 
servants  of  the  church  in  every  denomination,  present  and  past, 
have  exposed  the  obvious  sins  and  imperfections  of  their  brethren, 
and  sharply  rebuked  them  before  the  world,  my  soul  shudders  that 
I  have  ventured  forward  no  more  boldly  through  the  Star — and  I 
tremble,  I  fear,  for  that  temporizing,  softened  policy  that  is  in  so 
high  esteem  among  us.     Unless  abandoned,  it  will  eventually  ruin 


us. 


Yours  in  love, 


S.  Beede.' 


The  following  letter  contains  a  few  particulars  connected  with 
Mr.  Marks'  tour  to  New  York  to  attend  the  Holland  Purchase 
yearly  meeting. 


'-mm 


••  i-' 


<-^'il 


»  ''■ 


'Si 


•■■'I 


820 


MEMOIRS    OP 


«  Byron,  August  26,  1833. 
My  Dear  Wife, 

*  *  I  met  Elder  Place  at  Alton,  Tuesday,  August 
12 ;  next  morning  we  set  off,  and  Friday  night,  arrived  at  your 
brother's  in  Arlington,  Vt.,  where  we  left  our  carriage  and  took  the 
stage  for  Albany.  Being  detained  two  hours  in  Albany,  we  visit- 
ed the  State  House  and  City  Hall,  two  very  superb  buildings.  In 
the  City  Hall,  we  saw  the  most  striking  and  solemn  painting  that 
I  ever  beheld.  It  was  "  Danby's  Opening  of  the  sixth  seal" — the 
judgment  day.  Even  the  sight  was  truly  awful.  We  did  not  see 
a  smile  among  the  visitants,  and  as  for  myself,  I  could  not  refrain 
from  tears.  The  painting  was  ten  feet  by  eight.  First,  there  was 
a  view  of  the  sun  turned  to  the  blackest  darkness,  and  the  heavens 
wrapped  in  the  most  dismal  gloom.  In  these  clouds  of  darkness, 
there  appeared  streaks  of  lightning  interspersed  among  their  thick 
dark  folds.  Next,  there  was  a  column  of  light,  incomparably 
brighter  than  any  fire  I  ever  saw,  darting  from  the  frowning  heav- 
ens, representing  the  appearance  of  the  Son  of  God  not  yet  come 
in  sight.  In  the  middle  of  the  view,  the  brightest  fire  was  blazing, 
and  flames  were  starting  up  behind  the  falling  cities,  and  the  crum- 
bling mountains  tossing  to  and  fro.  All  classes  of  men  were  in 
confusion ;  a  slave,  almost  naked,  stood  with  broken  manacles, 
reaching  his  hands  towai'd  heaven  and  looking  upward,  while  kings 
lay  helpless  at  his  feet.  Over  the  wreck  of  all  created  matter,  a 
small,  pure,  unclouded  cross  personified  that  majesty  which  is  be- 
yond all  human  power  to  conceive.  But  language  fails  to  give  a 
just  representation.  Please  read  the  sixth  chapter  of  Revelation, 
and  picture  to  your  imagination  the  most  literal  accomplishment 
of  every  word.* 

At  Albany,  we  took  the  railroad  for  Schenectady.  I  must  de- 
lay a  particular  description  of  this  wonderful  modem  invention  till 
I  see  you..  It  is  a  mode  of  travelling  which  I  assure  you  exactly 
suits  me.  O,  what  facilities  for  spreading  the  gospel  will  railroads 
and  steam  navigation  yet  furnish.  At  Schenectady  we  took  a  tem- 
perance boat.  Soon  a  man  in  tattered  garments  came  on  board, 
begging  a  free  passage.  In  a  few  minutes,  he  took  from  his  pock- 
et a  bottle  and  drank.  This  made  liim  very  religious :  he  said  he 
had  had  the  good  seed  sown  in  his  heart,  and  if  he  should  drink 
ten  thousand  hogsheads  of  rum,  it  would  not  unchristianize  him. 

*  The  public  journals,  both  in  England  and  America,  were  lavish  in  their  encomiums 
of  this  celebrated  painting.  It  was  pronounced  by  some  English  judges,  the  greatest  pic- 
ture of  the  kind  ever  spread  on  canvass ;  and  it  was  stated  that  "from  the  fame  it  gain- 
ed, his  Majesty,  George  IV.,  desired  to  be  the  purchaser  ;  but  this  right  was  claimed  by 
Wm.  Beekford,  Esq  of  Fonthill  Abbey,  he  having  made  previous  application.  The  hon- 
orable members  of  the  British  Institution,  being  also  excluded  the  privilege,  presented  the 
artist  with  three  hundred  guineas  as  a  reward  of  his  talent."  Ei>. 


DAVID  MARKS. 


321 


,  we  visit- 


August  22,  we  arrived  in  Byron,  met  several  ministers,  and  in 
the  evening,  I  had  a  most  refreshing  time  in  preaching.  The  ses- 
sion of  the  yearly  meeting  commenced  next  morning.  It  was  a 
very  interesting  though  trying  season.  I  tliink  the  object  of  our 
journey  (the  suppression  of  the  spread  of  Campbellism  among  us) 
is  accomplished ;  but  it  will  be  sonic  time  before  our  western 
churches  will  recover  from  the  shock  they  have  received.  Three 
ministers  who  have  been  active  in  the  dissemination  of  these  er- 
rors, are  now  disowned.  It  has  been  a  painful  ordeal.  The  year- 
ly meeting  resolved  itself  into  a  temperance  society,  and  the  meet- 
ings of  worship  were  encouraging.  Sabbath  evening,  seventeen  or 
eighteen  presented  themselves  for  prayer,  and  during  the  yearly 
meeting,  two  or  three  found  peace  in  believing. 

Since  I  parted  with  you,  I  have  thought  of  you  much,  and  have 
missed  you  all  the  time,  but  have  kept  my  mind  so  close  to  my 
studies,  and  to  the  duties  before  me,  that  I  have  had  no  time  to 
give  up  to  lonely  feelings.  "When  I  reflect  how  evanescent  are  all 
the  joys  of  this  world,  and  how  soon  you,  and  I,  and  all  our  friends 
will  be  no  more  on  the  earth,  and  have  no  share  in  all  that  is  done 
under  the  sun,  O,  how  empty  this  world  appears.  Time  gives 
pleasures  for  a  few  days— eternity  takes  us  from  them  all.  Time 
gives  objects  of  pursuit— eternity  rends  us  from  them.  In  time, 
our  friends  give  us  comfort — in  eternity,  God  will  be  our  only 
fountain  of  hap^jiiiess.  O,  my  dear  Marilla,  may  that  Christian 
calmness,  affection,  faithfulness,  and  devotion,  which  have  hitherto 
marked  your  conduct,  and  interwoven  your  soul  with  mine,  mark 
your  path  till  death.  If  you  weep,  may  the  Lord  bottle  your  tears, 
and  pour  the  sweet  consolations  of  heaven  into  your  cup.  Fare- 
well.    Your  affectionate  husband,  D.  Marks." 

Mr.  Marks  returned  to  New  England  the  early  part  of  Septem- 
ber, attended  a  "  iiree  days'  meeting"  in  Northwood,  and  preach- 
ed in  several  towns  on  his  way  to  Limerick.  He  spent  a  few  days 
in  this  tour,  preparing  his  business  for  the  inspection  of  the  Pub- 
lishing Committee,  who  were  soon  to  meet,  and  in  making  a  report 
of  the  Book  Concern  affairs  for  the  ensuing  General  Conference. 
The  latter  part  of  September  he  again  wrote  in  his  journal : 

"  September  27,  I  attended  the  funeral  of  a  woman  in  Acton, 
Me.  who  triumphed  gloriously  in  her  last  conflict.  The  assembly 
was  gi'eatly  melted  by  the  truths  presented,  and  my  own  soul  deep- 
ly felt  their  power.  The  text  was  Job  14:12.  "  So  man  lieth 
down  and  riseth  not :  till  the  heavens  be  no  more  they  shall  not 
awake  nor  be  raised  out  of  their  sleep."  My  propositions  were 
as  follows.  1.  That  sin  is  the  original  cause  of  death.  2.  That 
though  occasioned  by  transgression,  God  had  appointed  it  in  jus- 
tice, and  for  our  good.     3.  That  through  grace  it  is  a  part  of  the 


.,1i« 


i 


»  U 1  <  til 


L  MM 


J  .  ■■! 


S 


ii 


\'t' 


»m 


1,  ■, 

i 

322 


MEMOIRS   OF 


I 


Christian's  treasure.  4.  Tiiat  the  circumstances  attendant  on  our 
dissolution  are  calculated  deeply  to  impress  the  human  mind.  5. 
That  death  is  a  state  of  sensibility  to  the  soul.  6.  That  man  shall 
live  again,  7.  That  future  existence  will  be  iniinitely  joyous  to 
the  righteous,  and  sorrowful  to  the  wicked.  8.  That  as  we  are 
forming  characters  for  our  eternal  destiny,  we  should  be  careful 
how  we  live. 

September  30, 1  preached  twice  in  Springvale,  and  next  day, 
met  the  Publishing  Committee  at  Limerick.  I  found  considerable 
sensitiveness  existing  in  Limerick  and  vicinity  about  the  proposed 
removal  of  the  printing  office.  Slanderous  reports  were  in  circu- 
lation, designed  to  shake  the  public  confidence  in  my  integrity,  and 
produce  the  impression  that  I  intended  to  monopolize,  for  my  own 
selfish  purposes,  all  the  property  of  the  Book  Concern.  But  "  it  is 
enough  that  the  servant  be  as  his  lord.  If  they  have  called  the 
Master  of  the  house  Beelzebub,  how  much  more  shall  they  call 
them  of  his  household  ?" 

October  9 — 15.  I  attended  the  seventh  session  of  the  General 
Conference  in  Straflford,  Vt.  as  a  delegate  from  the  Holland  Pur- 
chase yearly  meeting.  It  was  a  very  interesting  time,  and  the  busi- 
ness was  transacted  with  more  unanimity  than  on  any  former  oc- 
casion. A  delegate  was  received  from  the  Free-communion  Bap- 
tists in  New  York,  and  it  was  agreed  to  continue  the  correspond- 
ence with  this  body  of  Christians,  hoping  that  we  shall  yet  become 
one  people. 

The  Conference  advised  the  removal  of  the  printing  office  to 
Dover,  re-appointed  me  Agent,  and  S.  B.  Dyer,  S.  Curtis,  W. 
Burr,  and  D.  P.  Cilley,  Publishing  Committee,  and  agreed  that  we 
should  be  governed  by  the  following  rules.  "1.  It  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  Book  Agent  to  notify  the  Publishing  Committee  of 
their  appointment,  and  call  the  first  meeting  of  the  Committee,  which 
shall  be  within  one  month  from  the  Conference.  2.  He  shall  pro- 
vide the  necessary  buildings  and  utensils  for  the  printing  establish- 
ment, publish,  and  as  far  as  practicable,  make  sales  of  all  such 
books  as  the  Committee  shall  direct ;  collect  all  monies,  and  pay 
all  debts ;  provided,  however,  that  whenever  the  Agent  shall  think 
the  Committee  require  him  to  exceed  the  proper  bounds  in  incur- 
ring expenses,  he  may  request  them  to  give  him  security,  and  in 
case  they  omit  to  do  this,  the  Agent  shall  be  at  liberty  to  decide 
whether  to  publish  or  not.  3.  It  shall  be  the  privilege  of  the 
Agent  to  cast  his  vote  with  the  Publishing  Committee  in  all  mat- 
ters relative  to  the  Book  Concern.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Agent  to  report  the  state  of  his  accounts,  and  of  the  Book  Con- 
cern, to  the  Greneral  Conference.  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Publishing  Committee  to  employ  the  printer  and  editor  or  editoi's 


DAVID    MARKS. 


323 


to  manage  the  publication  of  the  Morning  Star,  to  fill  vacancies  in 
t'  0  committee  and  agency — to  select  and  prepare  for  publication 
such  books  as  they  may  deem  expedient — and  give  to  the  Agent 
such  direction  as  they  shall  think  essential  to  the  prosperity  of  the 
establishment.  6.  They  shall  annually  examine  and  settle  the  ac- 
count3  of  the  Agent,  and  report  their  doings  to  the  General  Con- 
ference. 7.  In  case  the  Agent  should  not  properly  manage  the 
business  of  the  Book  Concern,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Publish- 
ing Committee  to  make  examination,  and,  if  necessary,  to  dismiss 
him,  see  that  he  is  cleared  from  his  engagements,  and  appoint  an- 
other in  his  stead." 

The  "  Treatise  on  the  Faith  of  the  Free-will  Baptists"  in  manu- 
script, was  read  to  the  Conference.  Its  sentiments,  with  some 
amendments,  were  approved.  The  work  was  then  committed  to 
the  Pubhshing  Committee  and  Agent  to  abridge  and  revise  for 
publication.  A  committee  of  five  were  also  appointed  to  meet 
with  them  to  examine  the  work  as  soon  as  it  was  dene,  and  if  nec- 
essary, give  it  a  further  revision,  and  certify  that  the  sentiments, 
as  left  by  the  Conference,  have  been  retained  by  the  Committee 
and  Agent. 

Brother  Sutton  attended  the  Conference,  and  gave  a  new  im- 
pulse to  the  missionary  cause.  As  he  had  decided  to  visit  England, 
the  Conference  addressed  a  letter  to  the  committee  of  the  General 
Baptist  Mission  Society,  requesting  them  to  permit  Mr.  Sutton,  on 
his  return  from  England,  to  labor  with  us  for  a  season  to  forward 
the  missionary  enterprise  among  us." 

The  following  extract  is  taken  from  a  copy  of  a  letter  Mr. 
Marks  wrote  at  this  time  to  Mr.  J.  G.  Pike,  Secretary  of  the  Gen- 
eral Baptist  Mission  Society,  and  known  in  this  country,  as  the  au- 
thor of  "  Persuasives  to  Early  Piety,"  "  Guide  to  Young  Disci- 
ples," &c. 

«  Strafford,  Vt.,  October,  1833. 
My  Dear  Brother, 

When  I  was  sixteen  years  old,  while  on  a  passage  up  lake 
Erie,  I  formed  a  short  acquaintance  with  three  persons  from  Eng- 
land, who  said  they  were  members  of  a  religious  community  called 
Greneral  Baptists.  Finding  their  sentiments  nearly  the  same  as 
those  of  Free-will  Baptists  in  America,  I  became  much  interested 
in  them.*  They  handed  me  several  books  ;  and  among  them  was 
your  "  Persuasives  to  Early  Piety."  This  I  read  with  avidity, 
and  on  parting  with  my  new  friends,  it  was  extremely  hard  to  re- 

*  The  name  Free-will  BnptiHt  was  given  us  by  our  predestinarian  brethren,  on  ac- 
count of  our  rejecting  the  doctrine  of  a  particular  atonement,  and  teaching  that  the  free 
grace  of  God  gives  power  to  every  sinner  to  change  his  will,  and  conform  it  to  the  gos- 
pel. 


324 


MEMOIRS    OF 


It 


St 


linquish  it.  Its  contents  deeply  impressed  my  mind,  and  served 
to  increase  my  anxiety  for  tlie  conversion  of  souls.  Six  years  af- 
terwards, to  my  great  joy,  I  met  with  a  copy  of  this  work  at  tlie 
printing  olfice  devoted  to  the  service  of  our  denomination,  where 
an  edition  had  just  been  published.  I  distributed  about  fitly  cop- 
ies, and  have  frequently  had  the  satisfaction  of  hearing  that  others 
too  havo  profited  by  its  perusal.  Since  that  time,  it  has  been  ste- 
reotyped and  published  by  the  Sabbath  School  Union,  so  that  it  is 
now  afforded  cheap,  and  is  extensively  circulated.  About  eighteen 
months  since,  I  obtained  a  copy  of  your  "  Guide  to  Young  Disci- 
ples," and  soon  after,  by  the  directions  of  a  Publisliing  Committee 
appointed  by  our  General  Conference,  I  published  two  thousand 
copies  of  an  extract  from  this  work,  including  that  part  which 
speaks  of  the  character  of  Christ  and  the  personality  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  The  edition  has  been  distributed,  and  has  already  done 
much  good.         *         *         * 

My  dear  sir,  I  feel  very  grateful  to  you,  and  to  my  Heavenly 
Father,  for  the  spiritual  benefit  that  my  brethren,  myself,  and  oth- 
ers in  this  country,  have  received  from  your  pen.  May  the  Lord 
strengthen  you,  bless  and  reward  your  labors  of  love,  and  long  con- 
tinue your  life  for  the  edification  of  the  church,  and  the  conversion 
of  souls.         *         *         *         * 

Brother  Sutton's  visit  to  this  country  is  hailed  with  joy,  and  will 
be  a  great  blessing  to  us.  I  am  sorry,  I  am  ashamed,  that  we,  as 
a  people,  have  done  so  little  for  the  spread  of  the  gospel.  I  think 
our  inactivity  has  not  originated  from  a  want  of  love  to  the  cause, 
but  from  a  lack  of  information.  We  have  had  many  humble,  devo- 
ted, and  useful  ministers,  yet  we  have  had  very  few  who  have  com- 
bined deep  piety  with  learning  and  talent  sufficient  to  direct  and 
unite  the  energies  of  our  denomination.  Consequently  our  labors 
and  usefulness  have  been  restricted  to  our  own  country.  *  * 
Brother  Sutton's  letter,  written  in  India,  had  almost  the  effect  of 
an  electric  shock  upon  us,  and  wliile  it  excited  much  inquiry  for 
facts,  his  timely  visit  has  aroused  a  spirit  that  has  gone  forth  among 
our  churches,  that  will  never  slumber,  till  we  too  shall  see  some 
fruits  of  our  labors  among  the  poor  degraded  idolaters.     *     *     * 

We  feel  very  grateful  to  God,  for  the  correspondence  that  has 
commenced  between  the  General  Baptists  and  ourselves  ;  and  we 
pray  that  it  may  be  for  our  mutual  edification,  and  the  advance- 
ment of  the  dear  Redeemer's  kingdom. 

Yours  in  the  bonds  of  our  holy  religion, 

David  Marks." 

After  the  close  of  the  Conference,  Mr.  Marks  returned  to  Do- 
ver, and  assisted  in  making  preparations  for  the  removal  of  the 
printing  office,  which  was  soon  effected.    The  latter  part  of  Octo- 


DAVID   MARKS. 


325 


ber,  he  went  to  Portland  to  box  up  and  send  to  different  places 
several  hundred  copies  of  the  "  Narrative  of  the  Orissa  Mission," 
just  out  of  press,  and  forwarded  from  Boston.  The  volume  con- 
tained 432  pages,  duodecimo.  The  following  notice  of  the  work 
was  given  by  the  Boston  Recorder. 

"  The  Narrative  of  the  Orissa  Mission  is  a  very  handsome  vol- 
ume to  begin  with :  and  then  it  is  published  chiefly  for  the  purpose 
of  exciting  a  missionary  spirit  among  a  large  denomination  of 
Christians  in  this  country,  who  have  hitherto  stood  quite  aloof 
from  such  efforts.  It  relates  also  to  a  mission  at  one  of  the  chief 
seats  of  idolatry  in  India,  and  is  written  by  one  who  htis  long  been 
personally  engaged  in  it.  We  have  already  made  some  extracts 
from  it,  illustrative  of  heathen  superstitions,  and  intend  to  use  it 
further  for  the  same  purpose.  In  its  illustrations  of  the  abomina- 
tions of  heathenism,  it  is  more  abundant  than  almost  any  missiona- 
ry narrative  with  which  we  are  acquainted." 

Mr.  Marks  on  his  return  to  Dover,  learned  that  Mr.  Beede  was 
ill  in  Boston,  and  that  his  presence  was  necessary  in  the  manage- 
ment of  his  business.  He  hastened  to  the  bed-side  of  his  sick 
friend,  found  him  alone  and  suffering  the  most  excruciating  pain, 
yet  perfectly  resigned.  Mr.  Beede  said  to  him,  "I  have  been  anx- 
ious to  live,  for  as  my  youth  was  wasted  in  sin,  I  have  desired  to 
redeem  the  time,  and  yet  try  to  do  a  little  good  in  the  world*  But 
now  there  is  little  remaining  to  make  life  desirable.  For  years  my 
health  has  been  such  that  I  have  enjoyed  little  temporal  com- 
fort. Nearly  all  my  labors  have  been  performed  in  the  most  ex- 
cruciating pain  that  human  nature  can  endure.  A  complication  of 
diseases  is  fastened  on  my  system,  so  that  should  I  recover  from  my 
present  illness,  there  is  every  prospect  that  my  future  life  will  be  a 
continued  scene  of  disti-ess."  In  a  few  days,  Mr.  Beede  recovered 
his  usual  state  of  health. 

About  the  middle  of  Nov.,  Mr.  Marks  met  the  Publishing  Com- 
mittee in  Dover,  and  with  them  commenced  the  work  of  revising 
and  abridging  the"  Treatise  on  the  Faith  of  the  Free-will  Baptists." 
The  latter  part  of  November  and  first  of  December,  he  spent  la- 
boring in  a  revival  in  Strafford,  and  often  had  solemn  and  power- 
ful seasons. 

The  banks  had  now  refused  to  discount,  and  a  severe  pressure 
in  commercial  affairs  began  to  excite  painful  apprehensions  that 
a  tr;;  ing  crisis  was  at  hand.  Payments  came  in  slowly  while  heavy 
debts  would  soon  make  their  demands.  Mr.  Marks'  health  was 
extremely  poor,  still,  that  he  might  be  prepared  to  meet  the  exi- 
gency, he  thought  it  duty  to  make  a  tour  through  the  churches  in 
the  eastern  part  of  New  Hampshire  and  in  Maine,  preaching 
28 


IPS 


f^i 


"V   KU, 


326 


MEMOIRS    OF 


th  ' 


■ili 


among  tbem  and  collecting  bills  due  for  the  Morning  Star  and  for 
books.  Accordingly  he  sent  appointments  to  about  thirty  church- 
es, including  attendance  at  the  New  Durham  quarterly  meeting  in 
Lebanon  and  the  Anson  quarterly  meeting  in  Waterville,  Me. 
which  would  occupy  him  till  the  12tli  of  February.  lie  commenced 
his  tour  January  8, 1834.  Some  of  his  meetings  were  seasons  of 
great  solemnity  and  power.  Several  were  awakened,  some  of 
whom  never  rested  till  they  submitted  to  Christ.  About  the  2.5th 
of  January,  a  very  deep  snow  fell,  accompanied  by  a  heavy  wind, 
which  so  filled  the  roads  with  drifts,  as  to  render  the  travelling  ex- 
tremely difficult  and  fatiguing.  Mr.  Marks'  health  again  began  to 
decline  ;  but  he  continued  travelling  till  he  met  his  twentieth  ap- 
pointment in  Wilton,  the  5th  of  Ftjbruary.  After  preaching  in  the 
evening,  he  went  to  the  house  of  Col.  C.  Morse,  the  brother  who 
so  liberally  received  the  Fifth  General  Conference  in  1831.  In  a 
few  moments,  he  was  seized  with  great  distress,  and  was  immedi- 
ately confined  to  his  bed  with  bilious  fever.  As  he  had  ever  been 
punctual  in  his  business  engagements,  never  suffering  a  note  to  run 
out,  he  at  first  felt  much  anxiety.  Five  hundred  dollars  would 
soon  be  due  in  Boston.  He  had  succeeded  in  collecting  the  amount, 
but  could  not  forward  it,  as  it  was  in  small  bills,  and  he  was  at  some 
distance  from  any  bank.  But  rather  than  fail  of  meeting  his  en- 
gagement, he  sent  the  money  to  one  of  the  Publishing  Committee, 
with  instructions  to  hire  a  man  to  carry  it  to  Boston,  which  was 
accordingly  done.  His  sickness  raged  with  great  violence,  inso- 
much that  he  was  deprived  of  his  reason,  and  for  a  few  days,  little 
hopes  were  entertained  of  his  recovery.  Every  care  and  atten- 
tion were  freely  bestowed  by  the  hospitable  family  where  he  was 
confined,  and  by  the  Christian  friends  in  the  vicinity.  A  skillful 
physician  also  renderd  his  services  gratuitously.  In  a  few  days, 
his  symptoms  changed,  and  he  improved  rapidly. 

As  the  snow  was  fast  wasting,  as  soon  as  he  could  sit  up  a 
part  of  the  day,  he  commenced  his  return  to  Dover,  where  he  ar- 
rived about  the  24th  of  February,  somewhat  invigorated.  His 
dyspeptic  difficulties  being  very  severe,  he  now  commenced  house- 
keeping, in  order  that  he  might  pursue  such  a  course  of  dieting  and 
regimen  as  best  suited  him.  From  the  25th  of  February  to  the 
4th  of  March,  he  was  able  to  meet  the  Publishing  Committee,  and 
labor  with  them  in  revising  the  "  Treatise  on  the  Faith  of  the  Free- 
will Baptists,"  when  Mr.  feeede  was  taken  ill,  and  the  work  was 
adjourned. 

Mr.  Beede  continued  to  grow  worse ;  soon  his  case  became  criti- 
cal, and  in  a  few  days  his  friends  despaired  of  his  recovery.  Mr. 
Marks  spent  all  the  time  his  strength  would  permit  by  the  bed- 
side of  his  suffering  friend.     As  he  saw  the  uplifted  blow  about  to 


m'^^ 


DAVID   MARKS. 


327 


liim  fr< 


redly 


Tjhis  anguish  was  unutterable. 
Mr.  Beede's  sufferings  were  excruciating,  but  he  was  all  patience, 
humility,  and  resignation :  and  when  his  distress  permitted,  he  was 
much  engaged  in  supplications  to  God.  Wednesday,  March  26th> 
he  said :  "  I  am  wasting  away,  but  I  have  taken  more  comfort  on 
this  bed  of  afiiiction,  in  being  resigned  to  the  will  of  my  Heavenly 
Father,  than  all  this  world  could  afford.  The  prayers  of  his  dear 
children  have  given  me  inexpressible  satisfaction.  They  have  of- 
ten brought  me  a  cluster  of  grapes  that  showed  me  the  pa.sture3 
where  they  had  been  feeding.  My  thoughts  are  absorbed  in  the 
contemplation  of  the  things  of  another  world,  and  my  heart  is  filled 
with  inexpressible  desires  for  the  happiness  of  my  fellow  creatures." 
He  expressed  the  most  anxious  interest  for  the  prosperity  of  pure 
religion,  scriptural  doctrine,  and  practical  holiness,  among  Free- 
will Baptists.  On  the  evening  of  this  day,  he  called  Mr.  Marks 
to  his  bed-side,  and,  leaning  on  his  bosom,  asked  him  to  settle  his 
temporal  affairs,  then  casting  on  him  a  look  of  inexpressible  affec- 
tion, said :  "  You  and  I  have  labored  much  for  which  we  shall  re- 
ceive no  reward — but  a  crown — yes,  a  crown.  I  have  never  dar- 
ed to  tell  you  how  much  I  have  loved  you.  O  that  I  had  sought  the 
Lord  as  young  as  you  did.  I  have  had  nothing  but  my  shattered  fac- 
ulties to  devote  to  the  service  of  God."  The  following  morning  the 
symptoms  of  approaching  death  were  visible.  He  called  Mr. 
Marks  and  said  he  wished  to  talk  with  him :  he  sat  by  him  two 
hours,  but  such  were  his  distress  and  weakness  that  he  could  no 
longer  converse.  At  length,  he  looked  upon  his  weeping  wife,  and 
with  much  effort  said  to  her,  "  Don't  hinder  me.  Let  me  go  to 
perfect  happiness,  the  Lord  is  ready  to  receive  me."  She  replied : 
"  You  may  go—we  will  give  you  up,  and  detain  you  no  longer." 
About  one  o'clock,  he  said  in  much  apparent  bodily  suffering: 
"  Where  shall  I  go  ?"  His  companion  replied,  "  You  will  go  and 
be  with  Jesus."  His  countenance  lighted  with  a  smile,  and  he 
said,  "  Yes — I  may  go  and  be  with  Jesus."  At  two  o'clock,  P.  M. 
she  asked  him  if  Jesus  was  precious.  He  answered,  "  Yes,"  and 
said  slowly,  "I  feel — Jesus — to  be — gracious  to  me — Come!— 
Come! — Come !"  His  dying  agonies  were  very  severe.  For  hours  his 
whole  frame  shook  with  a  convulsive  tremor,  he  was  continually 
struggling  and  tossing  from  one  side  of  the  bed  to  the  other,  and 
all  present  seemed  anxious  for  the  termination  of  his  sufferings. 
Several  prayers  were  offered  that  he  might  have  a  speedy  release. 
He  continued  thus,  till  fifteen  minutes  past  eleven  o'clock  at  night, 
when  suddenly  his  strength  failed,  his  glazed  eyes  rolled  swiftly  in 
their  sockets,  then  became  fixed  wide  open,  his  breath  was  short 
and  quick,  and  fifteen  minutes  before  twelve,  his  spirit  took  its 


Hi 


'.'^1 


f       ^' 

i 


I 


328 


MEMOIRS    OF 


i'^i:; 


flight.  This  was  the  first  death  of  an  adult  person  Mr.  Marks  had 
ever  witnessed,  and  it  almost  overcame  him. 
At  this  period  ho  wrote  thus  in  his  journal : 
"  Saturday,  March  29,1  felt  very  thankful  to  my  Heavenly  Father 
that  ray  dear  brother  Beede  had  got  through  his  sufferings  and  ex- 
treme distress,  though  language  can  scarcely  tell  the  gratitude  wc 
should  have  felt,  had  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  continue  his  life  to  us. 
His  corpse  is  the  most  smiling  and  beautiful  I  ever  saw.  It  was 
aflfecting'  to  see  the  poor  widow  cleave  to  the  room  where  it  lies. 
The  sun  shone  with  clearness,  and  the  day  was  beautiful ;  but  O,  I 
felt  bereaved.  The  hand  of  affliction  was  heavy  upon  me.  Sam- 
uel was  very  dear  to  me.  O,  he  was  one  of  the  most  valuable 
friends  I  had  on  earth ;  most  valuable,  because  his  discourse  was 
most  free  from  flattery,  most  faithful  in  telling  me  my  faults,  shoM'- 
ing  me  my  prejudices,  and  the  fallacy  of  my  reasonings  for  favor- 
ite sentiments.  But  he  is  gone !  gone !  This  morning  I  went 
with  two  brethren  to  the  grave-yard  to  select  a  resting  place  for 
his  remains.  As  I  passed  the  places  where  I  had  associated  with 
him,  every  thing  seemed  to  remind  me  of  my  loss.  Indeed,  my 
affliction  pressed  so  heavily  upon  me,  that  I  was  under  the  necessi- 
ty of  turning  away  my  thoughts,  and  compelling  them  to  other 
subjects,  to  keep  from  sinking  under  my  burden. 

Sabbath,  March  30, 1  preached  in  Dover  with  much  freedom 
from  Eccl.  2:22,  23.  "  For  what  hath  a  man  of  all  his  labor,"  &c. 
Monday  morning,  a  post  mortem  examination  of  the  body  of  my 
friend  showed  that  there  was  much  disease  of  long  standing.  His 
liver  was  a  mass  of  ulcers.  His  physician  said  nothing  but  his 
extreme  temperance  had  enabled  him  to  live  so  long.  At  nine 
o'clock,  A.  M.,  after  a  prayer,  his  body  was  removed  on  a  hearse  to 
the  meeting  house  about  a  mile  distant,  which  was  crowded  to  over- 
flowing. It  was  my  mournful  lot  to  preach.  I  spoke  from  Rom. 
8:22,  23.  "  For  we  know  that  the  whole  creation  groaneth  and 
travaileth  in  pain  together  until  now :  And  not  only  they,  but 
ourselves  also,  ivhich  have  the  first  fruits  of  the  /Spirit,  even  we 
ourselves  groan  within  ourselves,  waiting  for  the  adoption,  to  wit, 
the  redemption  of  our  body."  This  text  was  repeatedly  suggested 
to  my  mind,  while  witnessing  the  dying  agonies  of  my  dear  broth- 
er. The  division  was  as  follows.  1.  The  doctrine  of  the  text. 
2.  Its  application  to  the  life  and  death  of  our  brother.  In  the 
doctrinal  part,  I  attempted  to  show  that  there  were  universal  pangs 
endured  through  all  nature,  animate  and  inanimate,  in  consequence 
of  sin — fthat  the  redemption  provided  by  the  gospel  does  not  save 
the  bodies  of  Christians  from  the  pains,  infirmities,  and  mortality, 
endured  by  others — that  the  adoption  or  resurrection  of  the  body 
is  the  support  of  the  righteous  amidst  the  groans  and  afflictions  of 


'M 


DAVID   MARKS. 


820 


this  state.     Great  solemnity  pervaded  the  assembly ;  many  ministers 
attended,  and  a  large  procession  followed  the  corpse  to  the  grave." 
Mr.  Marks  wrote  through  the  Morning  Star  (which  was  clad  in 
mourning)  the  following  notice  of  Mr.  Beede's  death. 

" '  Haw  unsearchabk  are  His  Judgments  and  His  ways  past  Jind- 

ing  ouC     Homans  \\\'6d. 
Dear  Brethren, 

The  hand  of  the  Lord  hath  touched  us,  and  it  has  become 
our  painful  duty  to  announce  the  sad  tidings  that  our  dear  brother, 
Samuel  Bekde,  has  closed  forever  his  labors  on  earth.  *  * 
*  *  *  Language  cannot  describe  the  bitterness  of  our 
grief  at  this  visitation.  Though  we  feel  to  submit  without  a  mur- 
muring thought,  and  to  kiss  the  rod  that  struck  the  blow,  yet  our  af- 
fliction seems  to  be  greater  than  we  can  bear.  If  we  met  with 
difficulties  in  the  important  trust  committed  to  us  by  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  in  relation  to  your  Book  Concern,  his  counsel  was 
as  a  light  in  our  path.  Wherever  he  was  called  to  act,  if  breth- 
ren had  different  views,  and  were  tenacious  of  pursuing  opposite 
measures,  he  scarcely  ever  failed  to  effect  a  reconciliation.  But, 
alas !  he  is  gone  from  us  never  to  return.  This  is  not  the  first 
time  in  which  the  hopes  of  the  church  have  been  taken  away  as 
with  a  stroke.  Yet,  in  similar  instances,  God  has  effected  much 
more  for  his  kingdom  by  the  deaths  of  his  eminent  servants,  than 
could  have  been  accomplished  by  the  continuance  of  their  lives. 
Though  the  deaths  of  Harriet  Newell  and  Henry  Obookiah  al- 
most blasted  the  hopes  of  the  friends  of  missions,  and  led  them  to 
say  with  Jacob,  '  All  these  things  are  against  us,'  yet  these  very 
circumstances  kindled  a  missionary  flame  that  has  accomplished 
more  for  the  conversion  of  the  world  than  could  have  been  effect- 
ed by  several  long  lives  of  arduous  toil.  The  Lord  is  able  to  over- 
rule the  brief  labors  and  early  death  of  our  brother  in  a  similar 
manner." 

Journal.  "  Tuesday,  April  1,  was  a  solemn  day  spent  in  set- 
tling the  affaii'S  of  my  departed  friend,  in  compliance  with  his  dy- 
ing request.  The  remainder  of  the  week  was  occupied  in  writing 
for  the  Morning  Star  and  the  Treatise.  Sabbath,  April  6,  I 
preached  in  Portsmouth  and  felt  much  of  the  power  of  God.  Af- 
ter the  close  of  one  of  the  meetings,  I  baptized  three.  There  had 
been  a  great  revival  since  I  preached  here  in  January  last.  Sev- 
eral of  the  converts  dated  their  awakening  at  that  meeting,  and  I 
was  informed  that  it  was  the  commencement  of  the  reviv^.  Bless- 
ed be  the  Lord  for  all  his  goodness. 

The  little  church  in  Portsmouth  are  very  anxious  I  should 
preach  with  them  for  a  season.  Perhaps  it  is  duty,  especially  as 
28* 


''>.- 


'r-'M 


I 


I 


hi 

!  i 

'I 


'iii 


!-? 


I 


830 


MEMOIRS   OF 


I  am  nnnblo  to  travel.  They  are  few,  only  thirteen  or  fourteen 
mcinb«*rs,  very  unpopular,  no  meeting  house,  and,  what  is  most  dis- 
couraging, one  of  their  principal  men  is  a  distiller  of  ardent  spir- 
its. Notwitlustanding  he  knows  my  views,  he  seems  very  friendly, 
expresses  gi-eat  anxiety  that  I  should  come  to  Portsmouth,  says  he  is 
willing  I  should  preach  .'ts  much  as  I  please  in  favor  of  the  tem- 
[)erancc  cause,  and  that  if  I  will  give  an  appointment  for  a  tem- 
perance lecture,  he  will  attend.  This  cluirch  has  recently  joined 
the  denomination,  and  was  received  on  condition  that  they  would 
exercise  gospel  discipline  in  the  case  of  this  distiller. 

April  7,  I  returned  to  Dover,  and  till  Wednesday,  Aprill7,  was 
mostly  engaged  with  the  Publishing  Committee  in  preparing  the 
Treatise.  When  com[)leted,  as  we  signed  our  names,  we  had  a 
solemn,  weeping  season.  One  of  our  number  was  gone,  and  his 
absence  reminded  us,  that  soon  we  too  shall  finish  our  work.  Thurs- 
day, April  18,  I  preached  in  a  protracted  meeting  in  Dover.  This 
meeting  continued  eleven  days,  and  about  fifty  professed  to  be 
converted.  Having  been  appointed  an  assistant  editor  of  the 
Morning  Star,  I  was  much  engaged  until  May  23,  in  writing  for 
the  Star  and  in  labors  for  the  Book  Concern.  In  this  time  I 
preached  in  Dover,  New  Market,  Barrington,  StraflTord,  and  Ports- 
mouth. In  the  latter  place,  on  Sabbath,  May  4,  I  was  present  at 
a  very  interesting  baptismal  scene.  At  half  past  8  o'clock,  A.  M., 
four  thousand  people  assembled  at  the  water  to  witness  the  immer- 
sion of  thirty-six  believers,  about  to  be  received  into  three  differ- 
ent donominations,  the  Calvinistic  Baptist,  Methodist  and 
Baptist.  After  singing  and  prayer,  the  three  officiating  ministers, 
arm  in  arm,  walked  into  the  water  together ;  afterwards  they  led 
in  their  candidates,  and  baptized  each  in  his  turn  ;  the  first  thirteen, 
the  second  twelve,  and  the  third  eleven.  The  solemnity  and  re- 
markable order  that  were  visible  in  the  surrounding  multitude,  the 
union  of  Christians,  the  unr'iffled  water,  the  serenity  of  the  sky, 
and  the  universal  quiet  of  nature,  conspired  to  render  the  scene  in- 
expressibly impressive  and  delightful. 

May  29.  We  removed  to  Portsmouth.  May  God  give  Avis- 
dom  and  success.  I  have  adopted  some  rules  in  relation  to  diet 
and  regimen,  with  the  hope  that,  through  the  blessing  of  God,  they 
will  be  the  means  of  improving  my  shattered  health." 

The  rules  to  which  Mr.  Marks  referred  were  written  ^vith  ex- 
press reference  to  rest  and  quiet.  But  the  truth  was,  he  knew  not 
how  to  rest  in  a  world  like  this,  where  he  saw  so  much  to  be  done. 
Lpbor  and  activity  were  his  element,  and  such  was  the  all  consum- 
ing ardor  of  his  soul,  that  whatever  were  his  circumstances,  there 
seemed  a  pressure  upon  his  spirit,  which  constantly  moved  his 
heart,  his  lips,  his  pen,  his  hands,  and  kept  him  abounding  in  the 


DAVID   MARKS. 


831 


work  of  the  Lord.  In  a  short  time  after  lii.«*  settlement  in  Ports- 
mouth, he  8eem«'<l  to  have  ivs  much  to  occupy  liis  energies,  its  at 
any  former  period,  fto  that  he  could  allow  himself  only  from  four 
to  six  hours  sleep  in  twenty-four.  If  he  awoke  in  the  night  and 
felt  wakeful,  ho  would  immediately  arise,  and  study  or  writ(s  till  he 
felt  inclined  to  sleep,  lie  resumed  his  course  of  careful  theologi- 
cal reading  which  he  commenced  sometime  previous,  and  continu- 
ed to  discharge  his  duties  as  an  assistant  editor  and  as  Agent  for 
the  Book  Concern.  Three  thousand  copies  of  "  True  Happiness," 
by  J.  G.  Pike,  had  been  issued  by  the  establishment,  and  about  this 
time,  five  thousand  copies  of  the  "Treatise  on  the  Faith  of  the  Free-will 
Baptists."  He  entered  with  his  accustomed  zeal  upon  his  labors  as  pas- 
tor. One  of  his  first  etibrts  was  a  temperance  lecture,  in  which  he  was 
very  pointed  in  his  rebukes  of  the  unholy  traffic,  and  concluded  by 
exhorting  those  who  thought  there  was  no  other  way  to  procure  a 
livelihood,  to  die  martyrs  to  right  principles,  and  go  and  receive  a 
martyr's  crown.  He  next  set  about  making  religious  visits,  and 
gathering  a  Sabbath  school,  of  which  he  was  superintendent. 

The  following  was  found  recorded  in  one  of  his  private  papers  : 
"  I  resolve  to  visit  and  i)ray  with  at  least  four  families  every  day, 
as  long  as  I  live  in  the  town,  and  to  aim  at  visiting  and  praying  with 
every  family,  and  conversing  with  every  person  in  the  town.  O 
Lord,  give  me  wisdom,  and  aid  me  in  these  my  efforts  to  save  souls." 
He  preached  four  sermons  weekly  to  the  little  church,  and  attend- 
ed two  prayer  meetings  :  he  also  accepted  frequent  calls  to  attend 
meetings  in  towns  in  the  vicinity  of  Portsmouth. 

In  the  early  part  of  June,  he  labored  three  days  at  a  protracted 
meeting  in  Hampton,  which  was  attended  with  a  prospect  of  much 
good.  June  14  and  15,  he  attended  the  New  Hampshire  yearly 
meeting  in  New  Hampton.  On  the  Sabbath,  the  congregation  was 
so  large  that  they  were  obliged  to  convene  in  a  grove.  Several 
sermons  were  preached.  Mr.  Marks  spoke  from  Genesis  3:3, 
"  Neither  shall  ye  touch  it  lest  ye  die,"  and  was  greatly  favored  in 
speaking.  Some  came  forward  for  prayer,  and  it  was  thought  ex- 
pedient, in  view  of  the  prospect,  to  protract  the  meeting  another 
day.  On  Monday,  as  an  invitation  was  given  for  those  to  come 
forward,  that  desired  prayer,  a  young  gentleman  arose,  trembling 
and  weeping,  and  called  on  his  youthful  friends  and  acquaintance 
to  seek  the  Lord  with  him,  and  prepare  for  heaven.  The  effect 
was  thrilling.  A  large  number  presented  themselves  for  prayer, 
and  some,  before  they  left,  found  peace  in  believing. 

The  missionary  enterprise  had  gained  a  deep  hold  upon  his 
heart.  Perhaps  his  views  and  feelings  on  this  subject,  as  well  as 
his  manner  of  expressing  them,  cannot  be  better  portrayed  than  in 
the  following  extracts  from  an  article  written  by  him  and  publish- 


w 


332 


MEMOIRS   OP 


ed  in  the  Star  of  July  9.  Mr.  Sutton  was  then  hourly  expected 
from  England.  »  *  »  ♦  « y^Q  ^ould  say  to  our 
bretliren — whom  the  Lord  has  placed as'stewards  over  Ms  gold  and 
silver — act  in  the  discharge  of  your  trust,  in  that  way  that  you 
can  review  it  with  satisfaction  in  a  dying  hour,  and  as  the  Judge 
of  all  the  earth  will  approve  when  you  are  put  on  trial  at  the  judg- 
ment day.  *  *  *  ■\Ye  are  calling  on  you  to  dis- 
charge your  dufi^ — not  to  give  to  Christ  as  though  it  were  a  chari- 
ty. If  any  have  so  misunderstood  or  misinterpreted  the  Scrip- 
tures, as  to  consider  the  subject  in  this  light,  we  would  address  to 
them  the  language  of  a  minister  in  Boston :  *  What,  Christ  a 
child  of  charity,  coming  around  and  begging  of  you  ?  Christ,  lord 
of  this  world,  whose  stewards  ye  are  ?  What  if  the  clerks  in  this 
city,  should  take  it  into  their  minds,  that  all  the  property  they  had 
in  their  care  was  their  own,  and  should  get  together  and  propose 
to  give  a  little  charity  to  their  employers  and  owners  ?  Will  you 
treat  Christ  thus  ?*  Dear  brethren,  O  let  us  awake,  and  no  longer 
live  to  ourselves,  but  to  Him  who  died  for  us.  »  «  # 
******  The  loss  of  <•««  soul  is  incal- 
culable. What  then  the  loss  of  five  hundred  millions  that  die 
among  the  heathen  every  thirty  years  !  We  are  amazed  and  lost 
in  trying  to  compute  the  dreadful  ruin!  Its  very  greatness  so 
overwhelms  us,  that  it  is  only  by  descending  to  particulars,  that  our 
minds  can  receive  any  distinct  impressions.  Were  all  the  popula- 
tion of  these  United  States  to  die  this  year,  it  would  not  include  as 
many  souls  as  go  in  this  period,  in  all  the  pollutions  of  idolatry,  to 
the  eternal  world.  Who  that  is  acquainted  with  the  love  of  Christ, 
can  take  this  glance  without  crying  with  the  prophet,  *  O  that  my 
head  were  waters,  and  mine  eyes  a  fountain  of  tears,  that  I  might 
weep  day  and  night.'  Then,  with  a  deep  sense  of  our  dependence  on 
his  arm  in  whom  our  strength  lies,  may  our  hearts  devise  and  our 
hands  execute  '  liberal  things  /*  While  God  is  preparing  his  peo- 
ple to  make  an  onset  that  shall  cause  the  firmest  pillars  of  satan's 
empire  to  tremble,  let  us  do  all  we  can  to  hasten  this  mighty  con- 
summation, and  scatter  terror  through  the  kingdom  of  darkness.  The 
Lord  God  of  Hosts  is  our  leader,  and  will  certainly  conduct  to  vic- 
tory. A  voice  is  calling  to  us  from  the  four  winds  of  heaven,  say- 
ing, '  Onward/  Onward  P  We  have  talked,  and  written,  and  hesita- 
ted, and  wept  long  enough.  The  time  has  now  come  for  action. 
The  first  great  direction  to  be  given  now,  not  only  in  this,  but  in 
every  good  work,  is.  Do  it ;  and  the  second  is.  Do  it ;  and  the  third 
is,  Do  it.  Deeds  are  the  arguments,  by  which  the  timid  are  made 
bold,  the  feeble  strong,  and  the  doubting  convinced — the  heavy  ar- 
tillery, by  which  the  walls  of  satan's  empire  are  broken  down,  and 


the  enemy  put  to 


flight. 


These,  then,  are  the  arguments,  and 


r  ACTION. 


DAVID   MARKS. 


333 


these  are  the  weapons,  by  which,  we  hope  in  God,  to  be  able  to  go 
forward  in  this  holy  work.  If  any  still  doubt,  we  have  no  time  to 
stop  and  convince  them.  We  see  our  fellow  men  sinking — sinking 
on  every  side,  into  a  bottomless  abyss  to  rise  no  more.  That  they 
may  be  saved,  we  choose  to  prove  by  our  efforts  to  save  them.  If 
others  prefer  to  stand  still  and  do  nothing,  let  them  at  least  throw  no 
obstacles  in  the  way  of  those  who  are  trying  to  rescue  from  eter- 
nal wo,  our  miserable  fellow  men.  The  widow's  mite  is  worth 
more  in  such  a  cause  than  millions  of  empty  words  and  unsubstan- 
tial good  wishes.  O  that  a  new  spirit  of  prayer  among  us  may 
now  go  up  to  Heaven,  accompanied  with  strong  crying  and  many 
tears,  that  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  will  send  forth  laborers  into  the 
whitened  fields." 

For  several  months,  Mr.  Marks  had  had  his  sympathies  greatly 
pained  by  his  inability  to  answer  favorably,  the  numerous  requests 
from  different  sections  for  laborers,  addressed  to  him  as  Agent  of 
the  printing  establishment.  These  calls  continued  to  grow  more 
numerous  and  importunate.  In  the  early  part  of  July,  while  he 
and  Mr.  Burr  were  conversing  on  this  subject,  it  was  agreed  that 
Mr.  Marks  should  write  a  notice  in  the  Star,  calling  a  meeting  for 
the  formation  of  a  Home  Mission  Society,  to  be  held  at  Dover,  N. 
H.  on  Thursday,  July  31,  1834,  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.  Among  oth- 
er remarks  appended  to  this  notice,  were  the  foUowing :  "  Some  of 
our  brethren,  when  asked  what  they  will  do  for  the  Orissa  mis- 
sion, have  plead  that  they  thought  there  was  need  of  doing  some- 
thing at  home  first.  They  say,  '  We  have  many  heathen  in  our 
own  country.*  Such  brethren  will  now  have  an  opportunity  to 
show  their  faith  by  their  works  ;  and  it  is  confidently  expected  that 
all  who  have  excused  themselves  on  this  ground,  excepting  those 
whose  covetousness  has  driven  them  to  this  subterfuge,  will  now 
come  forward,  and  lend  their  aid  in  converting  the  heathen  of  our 
land.  It  cannot  be  denied  that  there  is  great  need  of  gospel  labor 
in  our  own  country.     We  have  long  heard  the  cry  for  help." 

At  the  time  appointed,  the  Society  was  organized  with  the  usual 
officers,  and  fifty  directors.  A  season  of  most  intense  interest, 
amounting  almost  to  enthusiasm,  was  enjoyed.  The  terms  for  life 
membership  were,  fifteen  dollars  for  males,  and  ten  dollars  for  fe- 
males. Ten  brethren  and  four  sisters  became  life  members  imme- 
diately. The  office  of  Corresponding  Secretary  was  assigned  to 
Mr.  Marks,  and  as  such,  he  was  directed  "  to  write  to  every  officer 
and  director,  furnish  them  with  a  copy  of  the  Constitution,  and  the 
most  important  doings  of  the  Executive  Committee,  inform  them  of 
the  duties  of  the  office  to  which  they  had  been  respectively  chosen, 
lay  before  them  the  importance  of  their  united  exertions  in  the  mis- 
sionary cause,  and  request  an  answer  whether  they  will  accept 


'M 


■M 


•  m 


I 


334 


MEMOIRS    OF 


their  appointment."     A  missionary  was  engaged  immediately  to  go 
to  Ohio. 

The  church  in  Portsmouth  having  labored  under  great  disadvan- 
tages for  want  of  a  meeting  house,  had  bought  the  south  parish 
church.  It  was  built  in  old  style,  and  would  seat  between  two  and 
three  thousand  people.  Mr.  Marks  again  made  a  few  entries  in 
his  journal : 

"  Sabbath,  August  24,  we  held  our  first  meeting  in  the  meeting 
house.  I  hope  yet  to  witness  in  it  rich  displays  of  God's  mercy. 
Monday,  I  attended  a  meeting  in  Rye,  four  miles  from  Portsmouth, 
where  I  had  engaged  to  preach  once  in  two  weeks  on  a  week  day 
evening.  As  the  people  were  going  out,  a  little  girl  came  up  to 
me  and  said,  '  Sir,  I  am  a  great  sinner ;  will  you  pray  for  me  ?' 
She  kneeled,  and  weeping,  prayed,  *  Lord,  I  am  a  great  sinner. 
O,  do  forgive  me  and  have  mercy  on  me.*  Another  little  girl  came 
forward  also,  and  kneeled,  and  prayed  for  herself  in  a  very  solemn 
manner.  These  were  soon  converted.  Tuesday,  I  returned  to 
Portsmouth,  and  learned  that  five  persons  lay  dead  in  town.  I 
met  a  hearse,  followed  by  the  parents  and  sisters  of  a  young  woman, 
who  had  often  attended  my  preaching,  but  neglected  Christ  until 
consumption  warned  her  to  prepare  to  meet  God.  I  followed  to 
the  grave.  Here  I  saw  a  solemn  spectacle.  The  burying  gi'ound 
was  so  filled  with  the  dead,  that  the  sexton,  in  digging  the  grave  in 
a  spot  where  there  was  no  monumental  stone,  had  thrown  out  the 
bones  of  three  dead  bodies.  During  the  remainder  of  August,  I 
was  busily  engaged,  early  and  late,  in  writing,  studying,  visiting 
from  house  to  house,  and  attending  meetings  almost  daily.  In 
some  of  these  exercises,  my  soul  was  often  greatly  blessed,  and  I 
felt  the  witness  that  my  labor  was  not  in  vain. 

Monday,  Sept.  1, 1  preached  by  request  in  Newburyport,  Mass. 
I  had  long  desired  to  visit  the  spot  where  rest  in  glorious  hope  the 
mortal  remains  of  George  Whitefield.  It  had  ever  been  a  source  of 
sweet  satisfaction  to  me  that  Randall,  the  founder  of  the  Free-wi.'.l 
Baptist  denomination,  was  one  of  Whitefield's  converts— one  whom 
he  slew  at  his  death.  Tuesday,  I  visited  his  tomb,  in  company 
with  several  others.  It  was  under  the  pulpit  of  a  Congregational- 
ist  meeting  house,  built  in  1756.  On  entering  the  house,  we  saw, 
at  the  right  side  of  the  pulpit,  a  splendid  monument,  the  cost  of 
which,  we  were  informed,  was  $1400.  The  pedestal  is  made  of 
soap  stone,  and  has  three  steps  ascent  on  every  side.  The  monu- 
ment is  eight  feet  high,  three  feet  seven  inches  square,  is  of  varie- 
gated white  marble,  most  exquisitely  polished,  and  is  bordered  on 
the  top,  bottom,  and  corners,  with  variegated  black  marble.  On  one 
side  is  the  following  inscription,  in  carved  letters,  inlaid  with  gold. 

"  This  cenotaph  is  erected  with  the  most  affectionate  veneration 


DAVID    MARKS. 


335 


to  the  memory  of  the  Rev.  George  Whitefield,  bom  at  Glouces- 
ter, Eng.,  Dec.  16,  1714,  educated  at  Oxford  University,  ordained 
1736.  In  a  ministry  of  34  years,  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  thirteen 
times,  and  preached  more  tlian  18,000  sermons.  As  a  soldier  of 
the  cross,  humble,  devout,  ai*dent,  he  put  on  the  whole  armor  of 
God,  preferring  the  honor  of  Christ  to  his  own  interest,  repose, 
reputation,  or  life.  As  a  Christian  orator,  his  deep  piety,  disinter- 
ested zeal,  vivid  imagination,  gave  unexampled  energy  to  his  look, 
action,  and  utterance.  Bold,  fervent,  pungent,  and  popular  in  his 
eloquence,  no  other  uninspired  man  ever  preached  to  so  large  assem- 
blies, or  enforced  the  simple  truths  of  the  gospel  by  motives  so  per- 
suasive or  awful,  and  with  an  influence  so  powerful  on  the  hearts 
of  his  hearers.  He  died  of  asthma,  Sept.  30,  1770,  suddenly  ex- 
changing his  life  of  unparalleled  labors  for  his  eternal  life." 

Immediately  in  front  of  the  pulpit,  is  a  plain  wliite  marble,  bear- 
ing the  following  inscription :  "  Under  this  pulpit  are  deposited 
the  remains  of  the  Rev.  Geo.  Whitefield,  and  the  Rev.  Jonathan 
Parsons,  the  first  pastor  of  this  church,  who  died  July  19,  1776. 
Also  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Prince,  who  died  1791."  The  sexton  con- 
ducted us  to  the  vault  under  the  pulpit  He  unlocked  it,  and  I  en- 
tered with  a  lighted  candle.  Here  were  three  coflin°  «ide  by  side. 
On  the  middle  one  was  the  name  of  Whitefield.  I  opened  it — the 
coffin  was  about  one  third  full  of  black  earth,  out  of  which  project- 
ed a  few  bones.  The  skull  bone  was  detached  from  the  rest,  and 
was  turned  over.  Here  I  sat  a  few  minutes,  and  while  gazing  at 
the  sleeping  dust,  the  most  thrilling  reflections  forced  themselves 
upon  my  mind.  All !  thought  I,  is  it  possible  that  I  am  standing 
by  the  relics  of  that  man  of  God,  who  felt  so  much  for  sinners — 
who  so  often  poured  forth  floods  of  tears  over  weeping  thousands  ? 
Is  this  that  dust  which  was  once  animated  with  life,  and  which  en- 
dured such  unparalleled  labors  and  fatigue,  to  warn  the  wicked  to 
flee  from  the  wrath  to  come  ?  Is  such  the  end  of  all  the  glory  of 
earth  ?  Must  all  the  great,  the  honorable,  the  strong,  the  beauti- 
ful, and  the  gay,  soon  come  to  this  ?  It  was  but  yesterday,  as  it 
were,  that  Whitefield  died,  and  now  what  a  contrast  between  that 
splendid  monument  and  his  remains.  O,  how  emphatically  true, 
that  '  All  flesh  is  as  grass  and  all  the  glory  of  man  as  the  flower 
of  grass  ;'  yet,  alas  !  how  little  the  multitude  think  of  it  or  lay  it 
to  heart.  '  O  that  men  were  wise,  that  they  understood  this,  that 
they  would  consider  their  latter  end.' 

September  2, 1  returned  to  Portsmouth,  and  for  the  seven  dayi 
following,  attended  to  my  usual  duties.  Sept.  9, 1  met  a  Conven- 
tion at  the  Great  Falls,  and  assisted  in  organizing  the  Rockingham 
quai-terly  meeting,  formed  from  eight  churches  of  the  New  Durham 
quarterly  meeting.     Wednesday,  Sept.  10,  I  preacired  at  the  open- 


I 


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336 


MEMOIRS   OP 


ing  of  worship,  with  much  freedom,  from  the  text,  *  Ye  are  bought 
with  a  price.'  Returning  to  Portsmouth,  I  continued  my  labors 
in  that  and  adjacent  towns  till  Sept.  23.  I  then  attended  tlje 
Maine  Western  yearly  meeting,  also  the  annual  meeting  of  the 
Foreign  Mission  Society  in  Parsonsfield,  Me.  and  was  appointed 
one  of  the  Executive  Committee.  Saturday,  Sept.  27,  I  went  to 
N.  Market,  where  I  had  an  appointment,  in  exchange  with  brother 
Cilley.  Wlien  within  a  mile  of  the  village,  I  heard  a  woman  cry- 
ing, '  Lord,  have  mercy !'  On  entering  the  house,  I  found  her 
husband  apparently  dying  with  consumption.  Yet,  alas !  he  was 
unprepared.  Sabbath,  I  preached  three  sermons,  spoke  an  hour 
to  the  Bible  class,  attended  a  prayer  meeting,  and  visited  and  pray- 
ed with  five  sick  persons.  In  the  evening  meeting,  eight  kneeled 
for  prayer,  and  most  of  them  prayed  for  themselves.  Three  of  the 
number  obtained  a  very  joyful  hope,  and  two  others  found  some  re- 
lief. Blessed  be  Grod  for  the  mercies  and  strength  he  has  given 
me  this  day.  Monday  I  preached  in  Newburyport,  the  day  fol- 
lowing went  to  Deerfield,  and  labored  in  a  protracted  meeting  till 
Thursday,  Oct,  2.  On  the  second  day  of  the  meeting,  fifty  or  six- 
ty came  forward  and  kneeled  for  prayer,  and  several  were  convert- 
ed. Friday,  Oct.  3, 1  wrote  fifteen  hours,  and  my  companion  six- 
teen, to  get  ready  to  meet  the  Pubhshing  Committee.  Next  day 
we  returned  to  Portsmouth." 

After  this  period,  Mr.  Marks  seldom  found  time  to  make  any  en- 
tries in  his  journal;  and  when  he  did,  they  were  generally  very 
brief.  He  labored  as  usual  in  Portsmouth  till  October  22,  when 
he  took  an  agency  for  raising  something  toward  aiding  the  church 
in  paying  for  their  meeting  house,  and  notified  between  twen- 
ty and  thirty  appointments  in  New,  Hampshire  and  Maine. 
The  meeting  of  these  appointments,  and  the  duties  connected  with 
them,  occupied  his  time  till  November  14,  when  he  returned  to 
Portsmouth,  and  labored  the  remainder  of  the  month.  During  this 
journey,  he  attended  a  meeting  of  the  Foreign  Mission  Executive 
Board  in  North  Parsonsfield,  also  spent  three  days  at  a  general 
conference  of  Free-will  Baptist  ministers  in  Readfield,  Me.,  called 
for  the  purpose  of  "  promoting  the  union,  piety,  and  usefulness  of 
the  ministry."  Mr.  Marks  proposed  the  following  subjects  for  dis- 
cussion. "  How  far  is  it  essential  that  the  ministers  of  the  same 
denomination  be  united  in  doctrine  and  practice  ?  Does  the  gos- 
pel warrant  any  regular  system  for  the  support  of  ministers  ?  Is 
the  establishment  of  Home  and  Foreign  Missions  scriptural  ?  Is 
the  establishment  of  our  Book  Concern  calculated  to  promote  the 
gospel  ?"  The  discussions  on  these  and  other  subjects  were  ani- 
mated, and  the  reports  were  made  with  much  unanimity.  He  met 
with  Mr.  Eli  Noyes  in  Jefferson,  and  proposed  to  him  to  go  as  a 


DAVID   HARKS. 


337 


missionary  to  India.  He  persuaded  him  to  relinquish  teaching,  of- 
fer himself  to  the  Mission  Board,  and  spend  the  winter  in  study  at 
Parsonsfield. 

December  2  and  3,  Mr.  Marks  attended  the  second  session  of 
the  Rockingham  quarterly  meeting  at  New  Market.  It  was  a  time 
of  great  harmony,  and  the  prospect  for  a  revival  was  such  that  the 
meeting  was  protracted.  About  forty  came  forward  for  prayer,  and 
some  were  converted.  Mr.  Marks'  dyspeptic  difficulties  still  con- 
tinued to  be  very  severe.  His  stomach  rejected  almost  every 
kind  of  food,  while  he  was  afflicted  with  the  most  gnawing  hunger. 
He  often  said  he  knew  all  the  sufferings  of  death  by  starvation.  He 
now  resolved  on  a  more  rigid  course  of  dieting  than  he  had  as  yet 
pursued,  allowing  himself  but  twelve  ounces  of  food  daily,  and 
weighing  it  with  much  exactness.  Under  this  treatment,  his  flesh 
wasted,  while  his  stomach  gained  strength,  and  his  general  health 
improved.  He  labored  this  month  as  usual  in  Portsmouth,  and  al- 
so preached  in  Newburyport,  Kittery,  North  Hampton,  and  Rye. 
The  church  in  Portsmouth  had  been  gradually  increasing  in  num- 
bers and  interest,  and  occasionally  some  had  been  converted.  De- 
cember 30,  he  went  to  Boston  and  attended  a  protracted  meeting 
four  days  with  a  church  enjoying  the  labors  of  Elder  Jonathan 
Woodman.  This  church  had  not  joined  any  denomination,  but  hav- 
ing expressed  a  wish  to  become  connected  with  the  Free-will  Bap- 
tists, and  applied  to  them  for  aid,  the  Home  Mission  Society  had 
sent  brother  Woodman  to  preach  with  them  for  a  season.  Some 
twelve  or  twenty  were  about  to  be  added  to  the  church. 

So  great  and  important  changes  had  taken  place  in  the  Free- 
will Baptist  denomination  in  the  brief  period  of  three  years,  that 
Mr.  Marks  was  often  led  to  exclaim,  "  What  hath  God  wrought  ?" 
The  interest  awakened  in  the  benevolent  enterprises  of  the  day, 
was  closely  knitting  the  hearts  of  ministers  and  members.  The 
disheartened  were  encouraged  and  schisms  had  disappeared.  About 
this  time,  he  wrote  in  the  Star  as  follows :  "  As  far  as  we  are  able 
to  learn,  unparalleled  unity  of  efforts  is  consolidating  our  ranks  on 
every  hand.  Never  was  there  in  our  denomination,  a  brighter 
prospect  of  usefulness  than  is  now  presented.  Doors  are  opened 
on  every  hand,  and  there  is  scarcely  a  city,  village,  or  town  of  im- 
portance, from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Rocky  mountains,  where  there  is 
not  either  a  call  or  an  open  door  for  us  to  labor  in  the  vineyard  of 
the  Lord.  If  we  had  a  sufficient  number  of  devoted  ministers, 
thousands  of  churches  might  be  raised  up  and  millions  of  souls 
soon  be  converted.  Who  will  offer  the  prayer  of  faith  for  an  in- 
crease of  faithful  laborers  ?" 

The  Morning  Star  had  at  this  time  entered  the  lists  in  the  great 
moral  contest  with  slavery, — and  the  facts  that  were  daily  coming 
29 


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338 


MEMOIRS   OF 


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before  the  public,  exemplifying  its  horrid  abominations,  very  deep- 
ly affected  the  subject  of  these  memoirs.  In  his  editorial  articles, 
he  was  very  pointed  against  this  legalized  system  of  wickedness, 
as  were  also  some  of  the  other  writers.  Subscribers  in  the  Free- 
will Baptist  churches  in  the  Carolmas,  were  angry,  wrote  him  spir- 
ited letters,  and  discontinued  in  large  numbers.  Many  others 
were  also  dissatisfied,  and  a  dark  cloud  threatened  the  prospect  of 
the  future.  But  he  knew  not  how  to  compromise  truth  with  error, 
and  he  resolved  that  if  his  influence  could  avail,  the  Star  should 
maintain  its  high  and  holy  stand,  though  the  violence  of  the  gath- 
ering storm  should  demolish  the  establishment,  for  whose  prosperi- 
ty he  had  so  assiduously  labored,  and  finally  involve  himself  in 
bankruptcy. 

January,  1835,  Mr.  Marks  spent  mostly  in  Portsmouth,  saw 
some  accessions  to  the  church,  and  signs  of  a  revival.  He  also  at- 
tended the  New  Durham  quarterly  meeting  in  Gilmanton,  which 
was  followed  by  several  conversions.  In  February,  in  addition  to 
his  usual  duties,  he  preached  with  the  churches  in  South  Berwick, 
Dover,  Loudon,  and  Canterbury.  March  2  and  3,  he  attended  the 
third  session  of  the  Rockingham  quarterly  meeting,  which  was  a 
time  of  more  than  ordinary  interest.  The  church  in  Boston,  of 
more  than  fifty  members,  was  received,  and  strong  resolutions  were 
passed  against  American  slavery.  Active  measures  were  taken  for 
furthering  the  cause  of  missions,  and  for  increasing  the  circulation 
of  the  Morning  Star.  After  his  return  to  Portsmouth,  he  read 
from  his  pulpit,  several  of  Mr.  C.  G.  Finney's  "  Revival  Lectures," 
which  were  first  published  in  the  New  York  Evangelist,  and  were 
re-published  in  the  Morning  Star.  These  were  read  between  the 
afternoon  and  evening  service  on  the  Sabbath,  and  on  week  day 
evenings.  While  he  was  reading  the  remarks  on  tobacco  in  the 
13th  lecture,  one  professor  of  religion  immediately  took  his  tobacco 
from  his  mouth  and  tlirew  it  away,  and  at  the  close  of  the  meeting, 
another  emptied  his  pockets  of  the  filthy  drug,  saying,  "  I  will  nev- 
er chew  any  more  tobacco  as  long  as  I  live." 

March  13,  Mr.  Sutton  visited  Portsmouth,  exhibited  his  idols, 
and  preached  on  the  subject  of  missions  with  very  great  accep- 
tance. The  meeting  house  was  crowded  in  every  part,  and  many 
went  away  who  could  not  get  in.  It  was  thought  that  about  three 
thousand  people  were  present.  March  17,  Mr.  Marks  met  the 
Foreign  Mission  Board  in  Parsonsfield,  Me.  It  was  agreed  to 
send  Mr.  Eli  Noyes  with  Mr.  Sutton,  the  ensuing  fall,  as  a  mis- 
sionary to  India. 

The  latter  part  of  March,  Mr.  Marks  was  unusually  feeble.  His 
rigid  dieting  had  reduced  his  weight  to  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
seven  pounds,  having  lost  thirty-eight  in  the  last  four  months. 


MmL 


DAVID   MARKS. 


339 


as  a  mis- 


[Previous  to  his  first  attacks  of  sickness,  he  weighed  two  hundred 
and  thirty-five  pounds.]  Ho  again  relinquished  his  studies  and 
writing,  and  made  an  effort  to  rest ;  but  as  the  power  of  motion 
was  still  left  him,  he  endured  the  ordeal  but  a  few  days,  and  then 
resumed  his  usual  pursuits.  The  signs  of  a  revival  in  his  congre- 
gation continued,  and  he  concluded  to  hold  a  protracted  meeting. 
He  had  invited  Mr.  Sutton  to  his  aid,  who  had  expressed  much 
desire  to  attend  such  a  meeting  before  he  lefl  America.  He  had 
also  secured  the  attendance  of  some  other  ministers  a  part  of  the 
time.  April  1,  the  meeting  commenced,  and  continued  eighteen 
days.  Congregations  were  large,  solemn,  a' id  attentive,  and  the 
Spirit  of -the  Lord  was  poured  upon  them.  The  first  that  was  con- 
verted dated  her  awakening  from  the  reading  of  one  of  Mr.  Fin- 
ney's lectures.  Immediately,  others  presented  themselves  as  anx- 
ious inquirers  for  salvation,  and  soon  several  found  peace  in  believ- 
ing. The  work  went  on  with  power.  In  about  two  weeks,  thirty- 
two  had  professed  submission  to  Christ,  and  seventeen  had  been 
baptized.  Near  the  close  of  the  meeting,  Mr.  Sutton's  engage- 
ments called  him  to  Boston,  but  his  heart  was  so  much  in  the  work, 
that  it  was  hard  leaving :  and  before  he  could  tear  himself  away, 
he  preached  three  discourses,  intending  each  of  them  as  his  fare- 
well to  the  people.  On  these  occasions,  the  large  meeting  house 
was  crowded  to  overflowing.  The  work  continued  with  considera- 
ble interest  afler  the  meeting  closed,  and  the  church  was  increased 
to  about  sixty  members,  notwithstanding  several  subjects  of  the  re- 
vival united  with  the  churches  where  they  had  usually  attended 
worship.  An  interesting  missionary  concert  was  now  sustained, 
and  the  Sabbath  school  was  flourishing. 

The  last  of  April,  Mr.  Marks  visited  Boston,  and  heard  the  cel- 
ebrated British  anti-slavery  agent,  George  Thompson.  His  sub- 
ject was  the  merits  of  the  Colonization  Society.  Although  he  had 
long  since  abandoned  the  idea  of  any  hope  for  the  slave  from  that 
quarter,  yet  he  had  not  until  now  supposed  that  it  actually  aided 
slavery.  He  pronounced  Mr.  Thompson  the  most  eloquent  man 
he  ever  heai'd.  He  said  his  appeals,  at  times,  overpowered  his 
feelings  to  a  degree  that  almost  produced  suffocation,  and  it  was 
often  with  difficulty  that  he  could  get  power  to  breathe.  On  his 
return  to  Portsmouth,  as  he  called  at  the  Post  Office,  his  attention 
was  arrested  by  the  appearance  of  a  young  man,  whose  exterior 
was  unusually  gentlemanly  and  interesting.  But  while  he  was 
admiring  his  very  agreeable  manners,  an  oath  suddenly  fell  from 
his  lips.  With  deep  emotions  of  gi'ief,  Mr.  Marks  fixed  his  eyes 
upon  him,  and  said  kindly,  "  Friend,  you  ought  not  to  swear." 
The  young  man  followed  him  to  his  carriage  and  inquired,  "  \\Tiat 


M^ 


m 


^^J? 


is  that  you  said?"     "You 


ought 


not  to  swear,"  was  the  reply. 


840 


MEMOIRS   OF 


"  But,"  rejoined  the  young  man,  "  I  can  prove  to  you  fronk  the 
Bible  that  it  is  right  to  swear.  It  is  written  that  every  knee  shall 
bow,  and  every  tongue  shall  swear."  "  But  not  profanely,"  said 
Mr.  Marks.  "  It  is  also  written  of  some  that  they  wrest  the  Scrip- 
tures  to  their  own  destruction."  Said  the  young  man,  "  I  don't 
believe  the  doctrine  you  preach.  I  believe  all  will  be  well  after 
death.  I  am  a  UniversaUst," — then,  in  a  moment,  as  if  conscience- 
stricken,  he  added,  "  Friend,  you  are  right,  and  I  am  wrong :  I 
ought  not  to  swear.  But  it  is  of  no  use  to  talk  to  me.  I  was  not 
always  as  I  now  am.  Once  I  had  serious  impressions.  In  Boston 
and  Poplin,  I  was  respected  and  happy.  But  now  I  am  miserable. 
I  know  there  is  no  mercy  for  me.  If  there  is  a  hell  I  know  I  sliall 
go  to  it.  I  try  to  thmk  there  is  none  ;  but  I  am  an  unhappy  man. 
When  it  is  morning,  I  long  ibr  the  night,  and  when  it  is  night,  I 
long  for  the  morning."  Mr.  Marks  tried  to  encourage  him  to  turn 
from  his  sins  and  look  to  Christ.  Said  the  young  man,  "  It  is  of 
no  use,  you  need  not  talk  to  me.  I  know  I  shall  go  to  hell,  and  I 
ivill  go  1 1  Could  temporal  circumstances  make  me  happy,  I  should 
be  a  happy  man.  I  have  enough  of  this  world's  wealth,  and  my 
friends  try  to  make  me  happy ;  but  I  am  a  wretched  man.  I  have 
indulged  in  every  pleasure,  and  have  given  unrestrained  license  to 
my  appetites  and  passions.  But,  O I  I  am  miserable.  I  long  to 
die  and  know  the  worst  of  my  case."  Mr.  Marks  still  m*ged  him 
to  reform,  and  cast  himself  upon  the  mercy  of  God,  and  extorted 
from  him  a  partial  promise  to  call  and  see  him.  But  he  never  saw 
him  afterwards,  nor  was  he  able  to  learn  his  subsequent  history. 

May  4,  Mr.  Marks  was  present  at  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Eli  Noyes 
to  Miss  Clementina  Pierce,  of  Portsmouth.  Miss  Pierce  was  the 
only  surviving  daughter  of  her  widowed  mother,  who  had  followed 
seven  daughters  to  the  grave.  It  was  a  severe  and  painful  strug- 
gle for  the  mother  to  lay  her  idol  upon  the  missionary  altar ;  but, 
at  last,  she  made  the  sacrifice  with  much  cheerfulness.  The  mar- 
riage solemnities,  under  these  circumstances,  were  very  solemn, 
and  many  wept.  During  this  month,  Mr.  Marks  was  engaged  early 
and  late,  with  the  care  of  his  increasing  flock,  preaching  to  the 
sailors,  and  the  inmates  of  the  Poor  Asylum,  and  in  discharging 
the  duties  of  his  various  ofiices.  Among  the  latter,  was  the  outfit 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Noyes  for  India. 

About  this  time,  he  became  much  interested  in  the  Oberlin  Col- 
legiate Institute,  and  oft«n  expressed  a  desire  to  spend  a  season 
there.  It  had  been  in  operation  one  year  and  a  half,  and  Mr.  C. 
G.  Finney  had  accepted  an  appointment  in  it,  as  Professor  of  The- 
ology. May  27,  he  wrote  in  the  Star  a  lengthy  notice  of  this  In- 
stitution, embracing  facts  taken  mostly  from  the  New  York  Evan- 


DAVID   MARKS. 


341 


gelist,  and  commended  its  patronage  to  the  young  men  and  women 
of  the  Free-will  Baptist  denomination. 

June  4,  he  attended  the  second  anniversary  of  the  New  Hamp- 
shire Anti-Slavery  Society  at  Concord,  and  was  exceedingly  inter- 
ested. Among  the  speakers  were  Henry  B.  Stanton,  one  of  the 
fifty  students  who  had  recently  left  Lane  Seminary  in  Cincinnati 
because  the  college  faculty  would  not  allow  them  to  discuss  the 
slavery  question,  and  Mr.  Woodbury,  brother  of  the  Hon.  Levi 
Woodbury,  then  Secretary  of  War,  now  one  of  the  judges  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States.  Mr.  Marks  briefly  reported 
their  addresses  in  the  Star.  Among  many  interesting  things  said 
by  Mr.  Woodbury,  were  the  following :  "  They  say  to  us,  keep 
still.  We  have  kept  still  two  centuries.  I've  tried  to  keep  still, 
but  I  can't  keep  still — I  won't  keep  still — I  won't,  I  won't.  Two 
or  three  years  ago,  I  went  on  a  kind  of  patriotic  excursion  to  visit 
the  tomb  of  Washington.  A  man  guided  me  to  the  spot.  He  was 
a  man,  Mr.  President,  not  a  thtnff,  a  man  with  a  black  face.  His 
head  was  whiter  than  any  one's  in  this  audience.  I  was  not  then 
an  abolitionist,  nor  even  a  colonizationist.  I  asked  the  man  if  he 
were  a  slave.  He  said  he  was — was  Washington's  slave.  But, 
I  said,  I  thought  Washington  liberated  all  his  slaves.  He  re- 
torted, *  I  guess  if  he  had,  I  should  have  known  it.  No,  he  only 
liberated  his  household  slaves.  His  field  slaves  descended  with  the 
farm ;  I  was  a  field  slave.*  I  inquired,  have  you  any  children  ? 
*  I  have  had  ten.'  Ten — where  are  they  ?  '  I  don't  know.  They 
were  taken  to  a  southern  market  and  sold,  and  in  my  weak  old  age, 
I  have  no  one  to  bring  me  even  a  cup  of  water.'  While  I  gazed 
on  that  poor  old  man,  my  vow  went  up  to  heaven  that  1  would  be 
an  abolitionist." 

In  the  early  part  of  June,  Mr.  Marks  left  Portsmouth,  accom- 
panied by  his  companion,  to  attend  the  anniversary  of  the  Home 
Mission  Society,  and  the  New  Hampshire  yearly  meeting,  which 
were  soon  to  be  held  in  Lisbon  in  the  north  part  of  the  state.  We 
soon  fell  in  company  with  several  brethren  in  the  ministry,  and  en- 
joyed the  sweets  of  Christian  intercourse  the  remainder  of  the  jour- 
ney. Nature  had  put  on  her  most  beautiful  robe,  and  the  enchant- 
ing scenery,  as  we  passed  along,  among  the  hills,  vallies,  and 
streams,  united  to  inspire  the  soul  with  emotions  of  holy  delight. 
We  arrived  in  Lisbon,  June  11,  physically  and  mentally  invigora- 
ted by  this  delightful  journey. 

The  Home  Mission  anniversary  opened  Friday  morning  at  half- 
past  nine  o'clock,  A.  M.  Mr.  Marks,  as  Corresponding  Secretary, 
reported  that  thirteen  quarterly  meetings  had  organized  societies 
auxiliary  to  the  parent  society.  A  circular  had  been  published, 
and  sent  to  nearly  every  church,  entreating  them  either  to  form  so- 
29* 


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MEMOIRS   OF 


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cieties  or  hold  quarterly  conferences.  One  missionary  had  been 
sent  to  Ohio,  whose  labors  had  been  blessed  to  the  conversion  of 
several  souls,  missionaries  had  been  sustained  a  few  weeks  in  Bos- 
ton, Newburyport,  and  Portland,  and  a  part  of  the  time,  an  agent 
had  been  employed  to  travel.  Many  urgent  calls  had  been  sent  to 
the  society  for  aid,  among  which  was  the  following  very  pathetic 
request  from  an  association  of  General  Baptists  in  Indiana.  After 
giving  a  painful  description  of  their  destitute  state,  they  wrote, — 
"  From  our  near  situation  to  New  Harmony,  the  principles  of  Rob- 
ert Owen  have  taken  deep  root  in  many  minds,  and  we  want  a 
preacher  to  combat  them.  O,  send  us  one  laborer.  We  ask  but 
one — we  will  be  satisfied  with  one — we  will  try  and  support  one. 
Be  assured  that  he  who  comes  will  find  many  here,  whose  hearts 
will  leap  for  joy  at  the  presence  of  a  faithful  Free-will  Baptist 
preacher.  Our  home  shall  be  his  home,  and  our  fire-sides  and  tables 
shall  render  him  the  comforts  we  receive  ourselves.  Let  us  know 
if  you  will  comply  with  our  request.  We  feel  that  we  are  the 
same  with  you  in  principle,  and  our  interest  is  in  common  with 
yours,  therefore  we  are  the  more  bold  in  soliciting  assistance."  The 
Corresponding  Secretary  in  his  report  asked,  "  Is  this  a  time  for 
the  church  of  God  to  be  idle,  or  the  saints  of  the  Most  High  to 
slumber  ?  No  !  No !  There  is  too  much  to  be  done  for  a  single 
Christian  to  be  inactive.  Ye  soldiers  of  Jesus,  "  To  your  ai*ms ! 
To  your  arms  !  Remember  the  crown  is  for  those  who  fight."  Sev- 
eral resolutions  were  passed,  accompanied  by  soul-stirring  speeches. 
Mr.  Sutton,  in  speaking  on  a  resolution  representing  North  Amer- 
ica as  an  inviting  field  for  gospel  labor,  said,  "  This  is  true.  I  was 
in  Virginia  a  few  weeks  since,  and  had  the  privilege  of  preaching 
to  the  slaves,  and  O,  never  shall  I  forget  their  anxious  looks  and 
streaming  eyes.  They  hung  on  every  word,  with  their  mouths 
open,  and  seemed  ready  to  catch  all  they  heard.  O,  how  I  did 
love  to  preach  to  them.  *  »  I  was  much  affected  this  morning 
when  hearing  in  your  Corresponding  Secretary's  report  the  pathet- 
ic entreaties  for  labor  in  Indiana.  I  almost  wished  I  could  be  di- 
vided into  ten  thousand  pieces,  and  every  piece  should  go  and 
preach  the  gospel.  I  would  send  one  to  Indiana,  one  to  Virginia 
among  the  poor  slaves,  others  farther  south,  some  to  India,  China, 
&c.  among  the  heathen." 

Afler  the  close  of  the  discussions,  opportunity  was  given  for  any 
to  become  membei*s  of  the  Society.  Mr.  Marks,  to  illustrate  the 
principle  of  missionary  operations,  said  :  "  According  to  the 
last  report,  there  are  three  hundred  members  belonging  to  the 
church  in  this  town.  Now  let  us  suppose  that  Whitefield  [an  ad- 
jacent town]  contains  one  thousand  inhabitants,  among  whom  there 
is  not  a  minister  nor  a  single  Christian.     Some  of  the  brethren 


DAVID   MARKS. 


343 


our  ai*ms 


here  begin  to  think  and  talk  about  the  lamentable  condition  of  the 
people  of  Whiteticld.  They  have  no  Sabbath,  and  all  their  children 
are  growing  up  without  any  religious  in.struction.  One  says,  I  think 
the  command  to  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature  is  binding  on 
the  church,  and  some  of  us  ought  to  go  over  to  Whitefiold,  and 
give  the  people  religious  instmction  and  pray  with  them.  Says 
another,  I  could  for  my  part,  spend  one  hour  in  a  day  to  convert 
the  people  in  WTiitefield,  if,  wben  I  had  labored  nine  hours  in  a 
day,  (which  I  must  to  support  my  family,)  I  was  only  there  to 
spend  the  tenth.  All  agree  that  they  would  be  willing  to  do  this ; 
but  as  the  distance  to  Whitefield  is  such,  that  they  cannot  all  labor 
personally  to  convert  the  people,  one  proposes  the  following  plan. 
That  they  shall  choose  one  out  of  every  ten  members  of  the  church 
to  go  and  spend  his  whole  time  in  laboring  to  convert  the  people  in 
"Wliitefield,  and  the  remaining  nine  members  shall  each  one  go  and 
work  their  hour  on  the  farm  of  the  one  that  is  absent.  Now,  would 
this  be  giving  every  one  an  hour's  work  to  the  brother  that  has 
gone  to  Whitefield  ?  Certainly  not.  It  is  merely  an  exchange  of  an 
hour's  work,  to  save  you  the  expense  and  time  of  journeying  to 
Whitefield  to  do  your  duty.  By  this  exchange  the  church  might 
support  thirty  missionaries  in  Whitefield,  while  without  it  they 
would  do  just  nothing  at  all.  How  much  love  would  a  member 
show  for  these  destitute  people,  should  he  say,  "  I'll  have  noth- 
ing to  do  with  your  plan  of  exchange.  When  I  feel  it  duty  to  go 
to  Whitefield,  I  will,  and  if  Grod  sends  you,  he  will  support  you  and 
your  family."  Now  this  is  just  the  case  with  our  Home  Mission  So- 
ciety.    It  is  founded  on  the  following  propositions. 

1.  God  has  commanded  that  the  gospel  be  preached  to  every 
creature.  2.  This  command  is  not  obligatory  on  merely  a  few  indi- 
viduals, but  is  directly  or  indirectly  binding  on  every  individual  in 
the  whole  church.  3.  Every  man  has  his  own  proper  calling  of 
God — all  men  are  not  called  to  preach  personally  ;  but  while  one 
does  this,  others  are  called  to  uphold  his  hands  by  supporting  him, 
and  in  doing  it,  they  do  not  give  to  the  preacher,  but  only  do  them- 
selveSf  hy  exchange,  what  God  has  commanded  them  to  do.  Thus 
we  are  called  to  be  co-workers  with  God,  and  if  every  one  is  faith- 
ful, according  to  the  ability  given  of  God,  the  crowns  of  glory,  the 
rewards  of  righteousness,  will  be  distributed  as  freely  in  the  great 
judgment  day,  to  those  who  have  given  of  their  substance  with  a 
pure  heart,  as  to  those  who  have  entered  personally  into  the  field. 
And  now,  Christians,  let  me  ask  you  before  the  Lord,  can  you  not 
spare  one  hour  of  the  twenty-four  to  labor  for  the  spread  of  the 
gospel  ?  This,  at  ten  cents  per  hour,  would  be  nearly  forty  dollars 
annually;  at  half  this  price  it  would  be  nearly  twenty  dollai*s.  Can 
you  not  spare  half  an  hour,  or  at  least  fifteen  minutes  per  day  ? 


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244 


MEMOIRS    OF 


►Should  every  one  devote  only  five  minutes  daily,  to  some  cmploy- 
m(3nt  for  this  purpose,  it  would  amount  to  several  dollars  every 
year,  and  who  eaimot  do  this  ?     "VVluit  C'hristian  will  not  ?'* 

Saturday  morninf*,  the  yearly  meeting  of  business  was  opened. 
Mr.  Marks  [)resented  a  resolution  for  the  discussion  of  the  subject 
of  slavery,  wiiich  was  th<!  first  that  was  ever  presented  to  the  New 
Hampshire  yearly  meeting.  He  spoke  with  much  effect  in  its  sup- 
port, and  was  followed  by  others.  Another  resolution  was  intro- 
duced, lamenting  the  condition  of  the  slave  in  reference  to  his  relig- 
ious privileges,  the  discussion  of  which  powerfully  excited  the  sym- 
pathies of  the  audience.  Mr.  Sutton,  in  speakmg  on  this  resolu- 
tion, said :  *<  I  am  glad  to  see  your  tears  fall  and  your  bosoms  heave. 
Time  wa.s  when  the  glory  of  Africa  would  compare  v/ith  that  of  the 
most  honored  nations  of  the  earth.  She  took  the  lead  in  the  arts  and 
sciences.  She  had  her  splendid  churches,  her  men  of  learning  and 
her  martyrs.  What  has  made  the  change  ?  Ah !  it  was  the  Chris- 
tian's cursed  thirst  for  gold!  I  The  slave  ships  went  to  Africa — 
stole  her  sons  and  sold  them  to  fill  the  Christian's  purse !" 

Dr.  F.  A.  Cox,  a  delegate  from  the  "  London  Baptist  Union"  in 
England,  to  the  Baptist  Triennial  Convention  recently  held  in  Rich- 
mond, Va.,  also  spoke  on  this  resolution.  This  was  the  first  if  not 
the  only  time,  that  he  publicly  rebuked  slavery  during  his  stay  in 
America.  He  apologized  for  his  silence,  on  the  ground  that  he  be- 
lieved he  could  do  more  good  in  the  anti-slavery  cause,  by  exerting 
his  influence  in  a  private  way.  Mr.  Marks  reported  this  discus- 
sion for  the  Star ;  it  was  subsequently  copied  into  the  Emancipa- 
tor and  sent  to  Virginia.  The  Petersburg  Constellation  in  that 
state,  came  out  with  a  violent  article  against  Mr.  Sutton  and  Dr. 
Cox,  calling  the  latter  a  "  snake  in  the  grass." 

Saturday  afternoon  and  evening,  interesting  sermons  were  preach- 
ed by  Elders  J.  Buzzell  and  J.  Woodman,  and  a  few  presented 
themselves  for  prayer.  Preparations  had  been  made  for  conven- 
ing the  congi'egation  on  the  Sabbath,  in  a  beautiful  grove,  as  an 
overflowing  attendance  was  anticipated,  notice  having  been  given 
that  Mr.  Sutton  would  be  present,  and  that  Mr.  E.  Noyes  would  be 
ordained  as  a  missionary  to  India.  Early  in  the  morning,  multitudes 
were  seen  flocking  to  the  "  leafy  temple,"  till,  at  the  time  the  hour 
for  preaching  arrived,  it  was  judged  that  three  thousand  people 
were  present.  Dr.  Cox  preached  the  ordination  sermon  from  our 
Savioi-'s  words :  "  I  am  the  light  of  the  world,"  after  which  the 
solemn  services  of  the  ordination  were  performed.  The  serious, 
universal,  and  unbroken  attention  of  the  audience,  evinced  their 
deep  interest.  In  the  afternoon,  Mr.  Sutton  preached  on  missions 
with  his  accustomed  ardor,  after  which,  a  request  was  made  that 
all  present  who  would  engage  to  pray  for  missions  and  contribute 


w  '^v 


DAVID    MARKS. 


845 


to  their  support  would  raise  their  hands.  Many  hundreds  of 
hands  were  instantly  raised.  Mr.  Marks  preached  in  the  evening ; 
about  thirty-fn  e  went  forward  for  prayer  and  several  prayers  were 
offered  in  their  behalf.  Dr.  Cox,  speaking  of  this  meeting  in 
his  "  Baptists  in  America,"  said,  "  The  impassioned  character  of 
the  supplications  was  often  astonishing  for  fervency  and  flow. 
The  whole  atmosphere  seemed  infected  with  excitement.  You 
seemed  to  liave  got  into  a  new  element  of  existence.  The  whis- 
pers or  appeals  to  candidates  in  a  subdued  tone,  were  often  solemn, 
seasonable,  and  pointed."  Thus  closed  one  of  the  most  interest- 
ing and  important  sessions  ever  held  by  the  New  Hampshire  year- 
ly meeting.  Mr.  Marks,  in  subsecjuent  days,  often  referred  to  this 
season  as  one  of  the  happiest  of  his  life.  Dr.  Cox  said  to  him, 
that  the  sentiments  of  Free-will  Baptists,  a»  far  as  he  had  been 
able  to  learn  them,  were  more  in  unison  with  the  sentiments  of  the 
churches  of  the  Lr)ndon  Baptist  Uiiion,  than  were  the  Calvinistic 
Baptists.  In  the  work  ju*t  alluded  to,  he  remarks :  "  My  inter- 
course with  the  ministers  and  people  of  this  denomination,  convinc- 
ed me  of  their  zeal  and  union.  I  perceived  also  much  of  enlarg- 
ed benevolence  and  individual  generosity  of  feeling.  Their  senti- 
ments towards  each  other  were  eminently  fraternal.  Wlioever  was 
the  preacher,  he  was  equally  cheered  by  every  other.  The  puri- 
tanical manner  appears  to  be  very  generally  retained ;  and  it  is 
combined  with  much  of  the  primitive  spirit.  Their  method  is 
often  pointed,  and  commonly  vehement.  *  *  *  As 
a  denomination,  their  views  in  some  points,  and  their  practices  in 
other  respects,  will,  no  doubt,  be  modified  by  time  and  experi- 
ence." 

Monday,  June  15,  Mr.  Marks  met  with  the  Foreign  Mission 
Board,  and  it  was  decided  to  send  out  another  missionary  with  Mr. 
Noyes.  In  the  afternoon  we  set  out  on  our  return  to  Portsmouth, 
in  company  with  brethren  Burr,  Cilley,  and  Thurston,  purposing 
to  visit  the  summit  of  Mt.  Washington,  (the  highest  peak  of  the 
AVTiite  Hills,)  and  pass  through  what  is  called  the  "  Notch."  Tues- 
day morning,  having  procured  horses  and  saddles,  we  proceeded,  at 
six  o'clock,  accompanied  by  a  guide,  to  ascend  Mt.  Washington,  the 
highest  elevation  of  which  is  6,428  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea. 
After  riding  six  miles,  we  were  obliged  to  dismount,  leave  our 
hoi-ses,  and  pursue  the  uneven  tenor  of  our  way,  climbing  over 
masses  of  broken  rocks,  piled  upon  each  other  almost  perpendicu- 
larly. Snow  of  considerable  depth  lay  in  some  places  along  our 
pathway,  clouds  floated  beneath  us,  and  the  cold  began  to  affect  us 
quite  unpleasantly.  At  length,  with  much  toil  and  fatigue,  after 
climbing  three  miles,  we  gained  the  summit.  A  scene  of  surpass- 
ing grandeur  met  our  sight.     Li  the  far  distance  to  the  southeast. 


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846 


MEMOIRS    OF 


K  ii 


was  the  Atlantic  ocean  lying  in  the  horizon  like  a  cloud,  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  miles  to  the  southwest  lay  Mt.  Monadnoc,  west 
were  the  Green  Mountains  of  Vermont,  and  northeast  the  Katah- 
din  mountains.  Within  the  circle  of  our  extended  vision,  were 
scattered  numerous  villages,  fields  and  forests.  The  Connecticut  river, 
with  its  tributaries,  added  not  a  little  to  the  beauty  of  the  scene. 
After  feasting  our  eyes  a  while,  we  partook  of  a  repast  brought  by 
our  guide.  We  then  had  singing  and  prayer,  and  listened  to  a  ser- 
mon from  Elder  Thurston.  His  text  was  Mat.  14:8,  9.  "The 
devil  taketh  him  up  into  an  exceeding  high  mountain,  and  sheweth 
him  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  world  and  the  glory  of  them ;  and 
saith  unto  him,  all  these  will  I  give  thee,  if  thou  wilt  fall  down, 
and  worship  me."  Our  external  circumstances  were  admirably 
calculated  to  give  force  to  the  text.  Soon  after  the  sermon,  we 
commenced  our  descent,  and  arrived  at  the  public  house,  at  the 
base  of  the  mountain,  at  six  o'clock,  P.  M.,  so  much  weariqd  that 
rest  was  an  indescribable  luxury.  Next  morning  we  passed  through 
the  "  Notch,"  which  is  a  defile  through  the  Wlute  Hills,  in  some 
places  so  narrow  as  to  leave  barely  room  for  a  road.  The  tower- 
ing mountains,  the  overhanging  cliffs,  the  narrow  pass,  the  roaring 
stream,  are  admirably  fitted  to  impress  the  traveller  with  the  deep- 
est awe  of  that  Being  who  "  weighs  the  mountains  in  scales,  and 
the  hills  in  a  balance." 

Saturday,  June  19,  we  arrived  in  Portsmouth.  The  church  con- 
tinued to  prosper,  though  passing  through  trials  in  consequence  of 
the  exercise  of  church  discipline  in  the  case  of  the  distiller.  At 
that  time,  the  ti-affic  in  ardent  spirits  was  honorable  in  Portsmouth, 
and  no  other  church  in  town,  except  the  Methodist,  required  their 
members  to  abstain  from  it.  The  distiller  perseveringly  refused  to 
give  up  his  deadly  work,  and  all  the  necessary  steps  had  been  tak- 
en preparatory  to  his  exclusion.  A  dreadful  occurrence  seemed  to 
call  loudly  on  the  church  for  decisive  action.  Mr.  Wilson  of  Kit- 
terj',  in  a  drunken  fit,  murdered  his  wife  in  a  most  brutal  manner, 
and  it  was  reported,  on  credible  authority,  that  he  obtained  the  in- 
toxicating draught  from  this  Free-will  Baptist  distiller.  The 
churcluwere  ready  for  action,  except  on  the  ground  of  expediency. 
They  were  poor,  were  still  in  debt  for  their  house,  and  the  distiller 
was  responsible  for  two  hundred  dollars  of  this  debt,  in  such  a 
manner  that  he  could  make  the  church  much  trouble.  Mr.  Marks, 
seeing  the  irresolution  of  the  leading  members  from  this  circum- 
stance, went  to  Dover,  hired  the  money  from  the  bank,  and  paid 
the  two  hundred  dollars.  The  act  of  exclusion  immediately  fol- 
lowed. For  this  carrying  out  of  temperance  and  gospel  principles, 
one  of  the  Portsmouth  papers  came  out  with  a  bitter  article,  and 
both  Mr.  Marks  and  the  church  suffered  much  contempt  and  oblo- 


DAVID  MARKS. 


347 


quy  from  the  wicked,  as  well  as  from  those  who  professed  better 
things. 

Occasionally,  for  the  benefit  of  sea  air  and  relaxation,  Mr.  Marks 
went  out  on  short  fishing  excursions  ;  and  in  a  few  instances,  call- 
ed at  the  Isle  of  Shoals,  and  held  meetings  with  the  people.  This 
island  is  about  nine  miles  from  Portsmouth,  and  then  contained 
between  one  and  two  hundred  inhabitants,  mostly  fishermen.  They 
had  a  house  of  worship,  but  no  minister.  July  30,  he  visited  the 
island,  accompanied  by  Elders  Woodman,  Cilley  and  Noyes,  with 
sixty  or  seventy  brethren  from  Portsmouth,  New  Market  and  Do- 
ver. They  continued  there  twenty-eight  hours,  and  held  six  meet- 
ings. Each  of  the  ministers  preached.  The  last  exercise  was 
held  on  the  rocks  by  the  sea-side,  where  about  two  hundred  were 
assembled.  Two  related  their  religious  experience,  Mr.  Marks 
baptized  them,  and  they  were  added  to  the  Portsmouth  church. 
One  of  these  was  converted  only  about  three  hours  before  she  was 
baptized. 

August  11,  Mr.  Jeremiah  Phillips,  a  student  in  Hamilton  Sem- 
inary, and  a  Free-Communion  Baptist  from  Plainfield,  N.  Y.,  was 
appointed  by  the  Foreign  Mission  Board,  to  accompany  brethren 
Noyes  and  Sutton  to  India.  He  was  subsequently  married  to  Mrs. 
Mary  E.  Beede,  widow  of  Samuel  Beede.  The  making  the  outfit 
for  their  voyage,  except  the  preparation  of  their  state-room  in  the 
ship,  devolved  on  Mr.  Marks.  During  this  month  he  compiled  the 
Free-will  Baptist  Register  for  1836. 

Mr.  Marks  believing  the  Book  Concern  had  acquired  a  perma- 
nency that,  with  judicious  management,  would  insure  its  success,  de- 
termined to  resign  his  agency  at  the  approaching  General  Confer- 
ence, also  his  other  responsibilities,  return  to  New  York,  and  seek 
rest  and  retirement.  He  had  become  sensible  that  the  continuance 
of  his  life  depended  on  some  such  change,  and  he  despaired  of  find- 
ing rest,  if  he  remained  in  Now  England.  Being  quick  with  the 
pen,  and  ready  in  drafting  art  les,  a  great  amount  of  labor  was 
habitually  imposed  upon  him  in  missionary,  quarterly,  and  yearly 
meetings,  in  addition  to  his  other  labors.  His  rigid  dieting  had 
lessened  his  dyspeptic  difficulties ;  but  his  nervous  system  was 
more  severely  affected  than  ever.  At  times,  his  mind  seemed  al- 
most a  wreck,  so  that  any  kind  of  mental  labor  would  so  affect  him 
that  he  could  not  tell  where  he  was,  or  even  his  own  name.  In 
view  of  his  anticipated  departure  from  New  England,  one  subject 
pressed  heavily  upon  his  mind,  the  securing  of  a  faithful  pastor  to 
take  charge  of  the  Portsmouth  church.  They  thought  they  were 
too  poor,  with  the  debt  for  their  house  on  their  hands,  to  raise 
much  to  sustain  a  minister.  During  the  period  Mr.  Marks  had  la- 
bored with  them,  (nearly  a  year  and  a  half,)  he  had  received  a  little 


5j*, 


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348 


MEMOIRS   OF 


more  than  one  hundred  dollars.  The  remainder  of  his  expenses 
he  had  borne  himself,  and  had  given  besides  fifty-eight  dollars  for 
the  expenses  of  the  church.  Ten  dollars  were  for  a  Sabbath  school 
library,  ten  dollars  towards  warming  the  house,  and  thirty-eight 
towards  the  meeting  house.  To  encourage  the  church  to  sustain  a 
minister,  he  told  them  he  would  assist  them,  and  persuaded  them  to 
secure  the  labors  of  Elder  James  A.  McKenzie  of  Rhode  Island. 
Subsequently,  he  gave  twenty-five  dollars  toward  his  support. 

About  the  16th  of  September,  Mr.  Marks  went  to  Boston  to 
finish  the  arrangements  for  the  voyage  of  our  missionaries.  They 
were  to  sail  in  the  ship  Louvre,  accompanied  by  seventeen  other 
missionaries,  belonging  to  different  denominations.  Most  of  these 
had  been  brought  into  the  field  through  the  untiring  efforts  of  the 
devoted  Sutton,  who,  without  regard  to  denominational  distinctions, 
had  labored  to  stir  up  a  missionary  spirit  among  all  Christians. 
Sabbath  evening,  Sept.  20,  the  farewell  services  were  attended  in 
Dr.  Sharp's  meeting  house  [Baptist]  which  was  filled  to  overflow- 
ing. The  missionaries  were  seated  together,  while  instructions  and 
addresses  were  given  them.  Some  were  to  go  to  China,  one  to 
Burmah,  and  several  to  Hindoostan.  Mr.  H.  Malcolm,  having 
been  appointed  on  a  three  years'  tour  to  visit  the  Baptist  mission- 
ary stations,  was  going  to  sail  with  them.  Both  he  and  Mr.  Sutton 
addressed  the  audience  in  a  very  impressive  manner.  The  follow- 
ing particulars  relating  to  their  departure,  are  taken  from  an  arti- 
cle Mr.  Marks  wrote  for  the  Star. 

"  Tuesday,  Sept.  22.  Before  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.,  Union  wharf, 
where  lay  the  ship  Louvre,  was  thronged  by  a  multitude  of  sever- 
al thousands,  assembled  to  witness  its  departure.  The  counte- 
nances of  the  missionaries  were  bright  and  joyous.  After  brother 
Noyes  had  taken  leave  of  his  friends,  he  said,  '  The  long  wished 
for  moment  has  arrived,  and  I  can  say,  *  "Welcome  sweet  day  of 
rest.'  Taking  brother  Phillips  by  the  hand,  he  said  to  him,  *  I 
thank  my  Heavenly  Father  that  he  has  given  me  a  fellow  laborer 
to  go  with  me  to  idolatrous  India.*  A  short  time  since,  I  thought 
I  must  go  alone,  and  it  was  somewhat  painful  to  me.'  Sister  Sut- 
ton's relatives  were  weeping,  and  saying,  '  "We  cannot  part  with 
them.'  She  looked  upon  them  from  the  ship,  with  a  sweet  smile, 
and  pointing  to  heaven,  said,  '  Don't  weep.'f  The  missionaries 
stood  together  on  the  side  of  the  ship,  facing  the  throng  with  cheer- 
ful faces,  undimned  (so  far  as  I  could  discover)  by  a  single  tear. 

h        I  ■       ■■■■■  ■■  ■  ■■■         ■»'  n  I.  ■■■  ■    !■■        —  —  ■■.■■II  ■Llll—M^—  I—I-     ■ ■  I  ■  II  '■ 

*  It  was  an  afTecting  circumstance,  that  while  Mr.  Phinips'  fhther  visited  Boston,  to 
take  leave  of  his  son,  he  took  the  small  pox,  and  on  his  return  to  Plainfield  gave  it  to 
his  wife,  and  they  both  died. 

t  Mrs.  Sutton  was  formerly  the  wife  ofMr.  Coleman,  a  missionary  who  sailed  to  Bur- 
mah, soon  after  Messrs.  Judson  and  Newell. 


DAVID   MARKS. 


349 


Singing  and  prayer  were  offered  by  those  on  shore,  after  which, 
said  brother  Sutton,  as  he  looked  upon  the  weeping  friends,  '  This 
is  not  a  sorrowful  day  to  us.  It  is  the  happiest  day  I  ever  saw. 
We  are  going  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  heathen.  Do  you,  in  this 
Christian  land,  be  careful  that  you  do  not  neglect  it.  If  you  do, 
how  will  those  condemn  you  to  whom  we  are  going !  Friends,  think 
of  that.'  The  sails  being  spread  and  all  things  ready,  at  eleven 
o'clock,  A.  M.,  the  ship  moved  from  the  whaif,  and  the  mission- 
aries commenced  singing, 

"Yes,  my  native  land,  I  love  Ihee,"  &c., 

and  continued  until  their  voices  were  lost  in  the  distance.  After 
the  ship  left  the  wharf,  I  stood  and  gazed  one  hour,  till  she  appear- 
ed as  a  mere  speck,  and  then  vanished  from  sight.  A  more  solemn 
scene  I  never  witnessed,  nor  one  that  made  a  deeper  impression 
on  my  mind." 

Immediately  after  the  departure  of  the  missionaries,  Mr.  Marks 
returned  to  Portsmouth,  and  then  proceeded  in  his  own  convey- 
ance to  Byron,  in  western  New  York,  to  attend  the  eighth  session 
of  the  Greneral  Conference,-  which  commenced  October  7,  1835. 
The  Conference  accepted  his  request  for  a  dis'"'^.ission  from  the 
agency  of  the  Book  Concern,  and  appointed  a  oard  of  eleven 
Trustees  to  assume  his  responsibilities.  This  Board  appointed 
Mr.  Wm.  Burr  to  act  as  their  agent,  which  office  he  has  ever 
since  retained.  The  Conference  expressed  to  Mr.  Marks  their  ap- 
probation of  the  laborious,  prompt,  and  faithful  discharge  of  the  du- 
ties committed  to  his  trust,  and  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare 
and  publish  an  article  in  the  Morning  Star,  expressive  of  their  ap- 
probation, of  which  the  following  is  a  copy. 

"  The  Book  Agent.  At  the  last  session  of  the  General  Conference, 
the  subscribers  were  appointed  to  publish  in  the  Morning  Star,  an  ex- 
pression of  that  body  in  relation  to  the  services  of  our  late  Book  Agent. 
In  accordance  with  that  appointment,  we  present  the  following  for  the 
information  of  our  brethren  and  the  public. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  our  Book  Concern  was  commenced 
without  any  capital.  The  General  Conference  in  1831,  voted  that  a 
Book  Concern  should  be  established  in  our  denomination,  and  chose  brother 
David  Marks  Agent  for  the  purpose  of  accomplishing  that  object.  They 
requested  him  to  publish  such  books  as  the  Publishing  Committee  might 
think  proper  to  direct.  In  1832,  the  Conference  directed  the  Agent  to 
purchase  the  Morning  Star  and  printing  establishment  for  the  denomin- 
ation, but  they  neither  furnished  him  with  funds  or  the  means  of  obtain- 
ing any  on  credit.  Not  a  dollar  did  they  put  into  his  hands  to  aid  him 
in  the  prosecution  of  this  business.  A  little  reflection  will  enable  any 
person  to  see- that  money  or  credit  was  indispensable  in  commencing  and 
conducting  the  Book  establishment.  The  denomination  not  being  a  cor- 
porate body,  could  not  sustain  the  Agent  with  their  credit  in  any  legal 
30 


m 


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W. 


850 


MEMOIRS   OF 


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capacity  whatever.  Hence,  his  only  means  was  personal  responsibility, 
by  giving  his  own  name  and  the  names  of  such  ihends  as  were  willing 
with  himself,  to  jeopardize  their  temporal  property  for  the  sake  of  ad- 
vancing the  cause  of  God,  and  the  interests  of  the  denomination.  In  ad- 
dition to  the  usual  evils  which  attend  the  obtaining  any  considerable 
amount  of  property  entirely  on  credit,  our  Agent  was  obliged  to  com- 
mit the  books  which  he  had  published  into  the  hands  of  other  agents,  in 
order  for  them  to  be  sold  with  despatch.  This  greatly  increased  his  care 
and  liabilities.  Another  fruitful  source  of  perplexity  and  toil  was,  that 
the  measure  was  something  new  in  our  denomination.  Some  were 
doubtful  of  its  propriety^-others  were  doubtful  of  its  success,  while 
some,  probably,  were  much  opposed  to  its  progress.  In  conducting  a 
business  which  required  means  to  the  amount  of  twelve  or  fourteen 
thousand  dollars,  without  funds,  and  against  so  many  doubts  and  surmi- 
ses, it  followed,  of  course,  that  the  Agent  must  have  great  trials,  hard- 
ships, and  discouragements  to  encounter.  The  Concern  itself  also  re- 
quired much  labor  and  great  effort  to  carry  it  forward.  But  we  confi- 
dently believe  the  Divine  blessing  has  accompanied  the  undertaking. 
Brother  Marks  has  now  resigned  his  agency,  and  has  received  the  ap- 

Srobation  of  Conference  for  his  prompt,  faithful,  and  laborious  services, 
[e  has  also  committed  the  whole  Concern  into  the  hands  of  the  denom- 
ination, which  iu  estimated  to  be  worth  $4000  above  its  debts,  and 
which  commenced  four  years  since  with  nothing.*  If  in  the  minds  of 
any,  there  has  been  a  suspicion  that  the  Agent  has  been  serving  him- 
self, instead  of  his  brethren  and  the  cause  of  God,  we  trust  that  the 
statement  of  the  services  which  he  has  performed,  and  the  compensa- 
tion he  has  received,  as  published  in  the  Minutes  of  the  last  Conference, 
will  effectually  do  away  all  such  impressions.  The  following  is  an  ex- 
tract from  the  Agent's  report  as  published  in  those  Minutes. 

**  During  the  first  year  of  my  agency,  the  whole  expense  of  the  pub- 
lications issued,  amounted  to  more  than  $  4000.  To  meet  these  expen- 
ses, I  was  obliged  to  use  every  effort.  I  travelled  5400  miles,  mostly 
with  a  span  of  horses,  carrying  and  distributing  losds  of  books,  and, 
with  my  companion,  served  the  Book  Concern  in  various  ways,  most  of 
the  time  for  one  year,  frequently  sitting  up  whole  nights,  paying  my 
own  travelling  expenses,  which  amounted  to  nearly  $500  in  cash.  To 
balance  all  this  expense  of  money  and  the  toilsome  labors  of  myself  and 
companion,  which,  on  the  principle  of  equality  and  justice,  I  could  not 
have  done  short  of  $800  or  $  1000,  I  charged  only  $  160.  The  rea- 
sons for  my  presenting  but  this  trifling  account  against  the  Book  Con- 
cern were  as  follows : 

1.  I  knew  that  our  beloved  connexion  was  not  sufficiently  interested 
in  a  book  establishment  to  support  it,  unless  the  conductors  would  bear 
unusual  burdens. 

2.  I  believed  that  unle.<)sl  should  make  unusually  low  charges,  almost 
giving  away  both  expense,  money  and  my  services,  the  conductors  and 
mends  of  the  establishment  would  soon  become  discouraged,  and  aban- 
don the  object.     And  if  they  should  do  this,  not  only  a  failure  of  the  in- 

*  The  value  of  the  property  at  this  time,  including  the  debts  due  for  books,  Star,  *c., 
waa  estimated  at  $10246,6(^-the  debts  which  the  eatablishment  owed,  amounted  to 
$6222,46. 


I.  I 


DAVID    MABKS. 


351 


fant  establishment  would  follow,  but  probably  I  should  be  stripped  of  my 
little  all  to  pay  the  debts  I  had  already  contracted. 

3.  Many  had  already  become  jealous  that  I  had  commenced  a  great 
speculation,  and  that  I  was  gelling  rich  very  fast,  and  others  were  per- 
suaded that  I  never  designed  that  the  General  Conference  should  have 
the  profits,  in  case  there  should  be  any.  Considering  these  things,  I 
thought  the  success  of  the  establishment  demanded  that  I  should  make 
such  sacrifices  as  would  convince  even  those  who  were  most  under  the 
influence  of  ignorance  and  prejudice,  that  temporal  interest  was  no  part 
of  my  object  in  taking  the  agency. 

4.  I  believed  that  unless  sacrifices  were  made  and  jealousies  removed, 
the  designed  establishment  must  inevitably  fail,  and  that  such  an  occur- 
rence would  be  a  great  calamity  to  the  Free-will  Baptist  denomination, 
and  to  the  souls  which  are  under  their  influence. 

During  the  first  year  of  my  agency,  I  became  convinced  that  to  en- 
sure success,  we  [the  connexion]  must  own  a  printing  establishment  ar.d 
publish  a  religious  periodical ;  I  accordingly  took  measures  to  secure 
this  object,  which  was  accomplished  at  the  session  of  the  General  Con- 
ference at  Meredith,  October,  1832.  But  here  again  I  was  under  the 
necessity  of  risking  my  property  or  of  abandoning  the  object  of  estab- 
lishing a  Book  Concern  :  I  therefore  gave  my  notes  to  the  amount,  in- 
cluding debts  before  contracted,  of  $7,500.  Nearly  all  this  sum  was 
on  interest ;  and  had  there  been  any  sudden  unfavorable  change  in  the 
times,  or  loss  by  fire  ;  or  had  I  deceased,  it  is  nearly  certain  that  no 
one  would  have  been  willing  to  take  my  responsibilities,  and  of  course 
a  failure  must  have  been  the  consequence.  Notwithstanding  these  em- 
barrassments, when  two  other  manuscripts  were  presented  by  the  Com- 
mittee for  publication,  a  few  months  after,  viz :  the  Scriptural  Cate- 
chism and  Mr.  Sutton's  Orissa  Mission,  I  consented  to  publish  them, 
though  the  expenses  would  add  $3,200  to  the  debts  for  which  I  was 
holden.  I  did  this  because  I  thought  that  tb  J  publication  of  these  works 
would  do  much  good  in  the  world. 

The  second  year  of  my  service,  I  charged  for  time  spent  in  the  agen- 
cy by  the  hour,  12  1-2  cents  per  hour  (finding  myself,)  and  my  wages 
amounted  to  the  sum  of  $  139,38.  I  also  charged  for  my  expenses  in 
travelling  800  miles,  entirely  for  the  Book  Concern,  $40. 

In  the  course  of  the  succeeding  year,  I  published  5000  copies  of  the 
"  Treatise  on  the  Faith  of  the  Free-will  Baptists" — 3000  copies  of  a 
work  by  J.  G.  Pike,  called  "  True  Happiness" — 3000  copies  of  the 
Scriptural  Catechism  ;  and  4000  copies  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  Regis- 
ter. Times  were  hard,  and  to  meet  the  payment  of  old  debts  as  they 
became  due,  and  the  current  expenses  of  the  printing  establishment,  I 
found  it  exceedingly  difficult.  I  charged  this  year  for  my  services 
12  1-2  cents  per  hour,  bearing  my  own  expenses,  and  my  wages  amount- 
ed to  about  $  180.  I  charged  for  the  expenses  incurred  in  travelling 
about  1000  miles  on  purpose  for  the  Book  establishment,  $  50. 

During  the  fourth  and  last  year  of  my  agency,  I  published  only  1000 
copies  of  the  Christian  Melody  and  5000  copies  of  the  Register  for  1836, 
and  have  found  little  diflliculty  in  meeting  every  engagement,  and  my 
services,  compared  with  the  former  years,  were  comparatively  easy.  It 
became  necessary,  however,  to  settle  up  all  the  accounts  of  the  estab- 


m 


If! 


■I| 


jl^rt".;';- 


852 


MEMOIRS   OF 


lishment  from  the  beginning,  and  to  send  a  bill  to  every  assistant  agent. 
This  occupied  much  time,  and  with  contingent  expenses  of  time,  I  spent 
on  an  average  six  hours  and  forty  minutes  per  day,  for  which  I  charged 
12  1-2  cents  per  hour,  amounting  to  $  250.  I  charged  for  my  expenses 
in  travelling  1200  miles,  mostly,  or  solely  for  the  establishment,  $60. 

By  the  preceding,  you  will  see  that  1  have  served  this  institution  as 
Agent,  a  considerable  part  of  the  time  for  four  years.  *  *  It 
will  also  be  observed  that,  for  all  the  personal  responstbilities ,  perplexities, 
careSf  anxieties,  and  risk  of  my  own  property,  in  being  holden  for  more 
than  $  14,000  original  debts,  besides  the  daily  expenses  of  the  office, 
together  with  the  privilege  of  choosing  my  own  residence  and  pursuit 
for  a  support,  and  to  be  always  ready  to  meet  every  demand,  I  have  nev- 
er made  any  charge.* 

And  now,  dear  brethren,  I  resign  to  you  the  sacred  responsibilities  of 
my  appointment.  I  have  done  the  best  I  could — I  have  received  much 
aid  from  the  members  of  the  Publishing  Committee,  particularly  in  their 
undex'signing  my  notes,  also  from  assistant  agents  and  other  friends. 
The  Committee  have  truly  been  companions  in  affliction.  They  too 
have  labored  for  less  than  half  the  value  of  their  services.  So  have 
many  others.  I  have  not  alluded  to  any  of  my  responsibilities,  desiring 
a  reward,  but  merely  that  truth  might  appear,  to  the  honor  of  this 
institution.  I  do  not  desire  a  reward.  I  took  these  responsibilities  upon 
me  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  money  cannot  reward  me.  Now  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  I  resign  them.  I  bid  you  and  my  successors,  God 
speed. 

I  feel  the  warmest  interest  possible  in  the  establishment,  and  it  is 
among  my  most  earnest  petitions,  that  God  will  give  it  success.  I  have 
no  interest  but  the  interest  of  God's  cause.  This  is  your  cause  and 
mine.  May  God  give  you  wisdom  in  the  disposition  of  this  institution. 
I  am  with  much  respect  and  thankfulness,  for  the  confidence  which  you 
have  reposed  in  me,  your  devoted  servant, 


(( 


Silas  Curtis, 
John  Chanev 


'A 


David  Marks, 


Book  Agent. 


Committee. 


As  the  subscription  list  for  the  Morning  Star  had  increased  to 
nearly  five  thousand,  the  Conference  voted  a  second  enlargement 
of  its  size  without  an  increase  of  the  price,  and  also  voted  to  in- 
struct the  Trustees  to  obtain  from  the  Legislature  of  New  Hamp- 
shire an  act  of  incorporation  for  their  Board. 

It  may  not  be  improper  to  state  here,  that  in  accordance  with 
the  above  advice,  an  application  was  made  to  the  New  Hampshire 
Legislature  for  an  act  of  incorporation  the  following  Junti.  It  was 
refused  on  account  of  the  abolition  character  of  the  Morning  Star. 
The  Dover  Gazette  remarked  as  follows,  concerning  the  rejection 
of  their  petition. 


*  The  daily  expenses  of  the  ofllce,  together  with  the  original  debts,   during  the  four 
years  that  Mr.  Marks  was  Agent,  he  estimated  at  $22,000.  Ed. 


DAVID    MARKS. 


853 


**  Abolitionism  i»  New  Hampshire.  It  is  a  fact  better  known  to  the 
readers  of  the  Morning  Star — the  Free-will  Baptist  paper  publislied  in 
this  village — than  ii  is  to  a  very  great  majority  of  the  citizens  of  New 
Hampshire,  that  the  conductors  of  that  paper  have  dipped  deeply  into 
the  troubled  waters  of  abolitionism,  and  have,  for  the  last  few  months, 
not  a  little  polluted  their  columns  by  an  advocacy  of  its  very  incendiary 
doctrines.  They  have,  during  the  last  week,  received  a  most  decided 
rebuke  for  their  conduct.  A  bill  had  been  introduced  into  the  House  of 
Representatives,  '  To  incorporate  the  Trustees  of  the  Free-will  Baptist 
Printing  Establishment  and  Book  Concern,'  which  was  very  securely 
progressing  through  the  customary  stages,  when  it  was  mentioned  among 
the  members  that  this  establishment  had  become  a  vehicle  of  abolition- 
ism ;  this  produced  an  instant  inquiry  into  the  truth  of  the  suggestion, 
and  the  result  was  that  the  bill,  although  zealously  advocated  by  the 
ablest  of  the  federal  members,  was  on  Wednesday  refused  a  third  reading 
by  an  overwhelming  majority." 

Since  the  time  of  this  first  refusal,  the  Trustees  have  regularly 
presented  their  petition  every  year,  now  about  ten  years,  which  lias 
met  with  the  same  repulse,  for  the  same  reason.  There  is  a  pros- 
pect now  that  they  will  obtain  their  request  at  the  ensuing  session 
oC  the  Legislature,  as  it  is  believed  that  at  the  last  election,  some 
were  put  into  office  who  will  be  true  to  the  principles  of  human 
freedom. 

After  the  close  of  the  General  Conference,  it  was  found  neces- 
sary for  Mr.  Marks  to  return  to  Dover  in  order  to  make  the  trans- 
fer of  the  property  of  the  Book  Concern,  which  was  found  to  be 
something  of  a  difficult  matter,  on  account  of  their  having  no  act  of 
incorporation.  By  the  aid  of  a  lawyer,  however,  a  deed  was  drawn? 
up  and  executed  satisfactory  to  all  parties. 

Mr.  Marks  resigned  his  offices  in  the  Home  and  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Societies,  shipped  his  goods  to  New  York,  and  with  many 
solemn  feelings,  bade  his  New  England  friends  farewell.  The 
Holland  Purchase  yearly  meeting  had  formed  a  Home  Mission  So- 
ciety, and  during  the  session  of  the  General  Conference,  its  Board 
solicited  Mr.  Marks  to  accept  an  appointment  from  them  to  labor 
in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  and  try  to  gather  a  church.  This  was  a  dif- 
ferent field  from  what  he  had  purposed  entering ;  but,  after  con- 
sidering the  matter,  that  he  was  at  liberty  to  labor  little  or  much,, 
as  his  strength  would  permit,  and  that  probably  he  should  not  have 
the  care  of  providing  for  his  own  support,  he  concluded  the  circum- 
stances might  be  as  favorable  for  the  improvement  of  his  health,  as 
perhaps  any  other,  and  accordingly  accepted  the  appointment.  The 
Society  also  at  the  same  time  sent  another  missionary  to  Buffalo. 
Mr.  Marks'  travels  till  the  time  of  entering  upon  his  labors  in 
Rochester,  are  detailed  briefly  in  the  following  letter,  published  in 
the  Star. 

30* 


i 


854 


HEMOmS   OF 


'I 


**  Dear  Brethren, 

As  at  present,  I  have  not  time  to  write  to  many  of  my  cor- 
respondents, I  must  content  myself  with  a  little  detail  in  the  Star. 
We  left  Dover  about  the  first  of  November,  and  in  ten  days  reach- 
ed Broekport,  by  stage  and  canal,  a  distance  of  nearly  five  hundred 
miles.  Three  days  of  this  time  were  spent  in  Arlington,  Vt.  AVe 
left  the  canal  at  Broekport,  and  continued  our  journey  to  Canada  in 
our  own  conveyance.  As  a  great  abundance  of  rain  had  fallen,  the 
roads  were  excessively  bad,  and  the  mud  deeper  than  it  had  been 
known  to  be  for  several  years.  We  arrived  at  Zorra,  U.  C.  about 
the  20th  of  November,  and  met  with  many  dear  friends  from  whom 
we  had  been  separated  for  years. 

I  visited  the  churches  in  London,  South  wold,  Dunwich  and  Bur- 
ford,  found  the  brethren  in  general  steadfast,  but  they  much  need 
help.  Here  is  a  great  field  for  missionary  labor.  Our  Open-com- 
munion Baptist  brethren  were  prospering  in  some  places.  The 
Calvinistic  Baptists  near  the  Niagara  were  enjoying  precious  sea- 
sons. Many,  through  their  labors,  had  turned  to  the  Lord.  The 
Methodists  were  not  so  prosperous.  Divisions  and  contentions  had 
greatly  hindered  their  usefulness.  They  were  split  into  three  sects, 
called  the  Ryan,  British,  and  Episcopal  Methodists.  Towards  the 
last  of  December  we  once  more  left  the  parental  roof,  and  returned 
to  the  state  of  New  York.  I  preached  by  the  way  in  Hamilton 
and  St.  Catharines.  We  were  detained  at  Queenston  nearly  two 
days  by  the  ice  in  the  river,  the  boatmen  refusing  to  venture 
across.  Li  consequence  of  this  detention,  I  failed  of  an  appoint- 
ment. We  attended  the  Monroe  quarterly  meeting  in  North  Mur- 
ray, commencing  Dec.  25th,  which  was  a  very  precious  season.  A 
Home  Mission  Society,  auxiliary  to  the  New  York  Home  Mission 
Society,  was  formed,  and  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  wen- 
subscribed  or  contributed.  This  quarterly  meeting  is  very  pros- 
perous; union  and  harmony  generally  prevail.  Its  ministers, 
though  few,  are  mostly  wholly  devoted  to  the  work.  It  has  now 
seventeen  churches.  New  Years*  day  and  the  Sabbath  follow- 
ing, were  spent  with  the  church  in  Canandaigua.  Our  meetings 
were  solemn  and  pi  '>fitable.  At  the  close,  several  anxious  soul? 
came  forward  and  seemed  unwavering  in  their  decisions  to  live  a  new 
life.  ♦  ♦  »  ♦  «  Pray  for  a  blessing  on  the 
labors  of  your  brother  in  tribulation,  D.  Marks." 

While  Mr.  Marks  was  detained  in  Queenston,  he  wrote  a  set  of 
resolutions  for  the  government  of  his  life.  He  had  been  in  the 
habit  of  doing  this  for  years,  but  as  he  was  adding  to  them  occa- 
sionally, a  detailed  notice  of  this  practice  has  been  hitherto  omit- 
ted.   He  employed  the  leisure  his  unexpected  detention  furnished 


DAVID    MARKS. 


355 


the 


souls 


him  in  systematizing  his  former  rules  and  adding  new  ones.  Be- 
lieving that  the  reader  of  these  memoirs  will  be  pi*otited  as  well  m 
interested  in  the  perusal  of  these  rules,  and  as  they  exempli- 
i'y  the  care  with  which  he  guarded  his  conduct  in  the  most  se- 
cret as  well  as  public  walks  of  life,  it  is  deemed  proper  to  introduce 
them.  They  were  written  in  book  form,  with  the  following  title 
page: 

«  DAVID  MARKS*  LAST  RESOLUTIONS, 

Made  for  life,  at  Queengton,  U.  C. 

Dec.  23,  3  o'clock,  P.  M.  in  the  year  of  ray  Lord,  1835. 


(t 


Be  ye  therefore  perfect,  even  as  your  Father  which  is  in  heaven  is 
perfect.^'    Jesus  Christ. 

Resolutions.  By  the  grace  of  God,  I  do  solemnly  make  the 
following  resolutions,  and  determine  to  read  them  as  often  as  once 
a  week,  and  to  keep  them  faithfully  all  the  days  of  my  life.  And, 
O  my  blessed  Savior,  I  pray  that  thou  wouldst  keep  me  steadfast 
to  the  end.    Amen.  David  Marks. 

I.  With  regard  to  my  thoughts.  1.  I  will  indulge  in  no  reflec- 
tions nor  meditations  M-hich  I  believe  will  not  be  useful  to  me,  but 
the  moment  when  vain  suggestions  first  approach,  I  will  thrust  them 
from  me.  2.  I  will  not  tliink  a  great  deal  upon  worldly  subjects, 
or,  at  least,  not  so  much  as  to  prevent  my  meditation  being  upon 
Grod's  law  day  and  night  3.  I  will  endeavor  to  spend  twenty 
minutes  before  every  meal  in  close  examination  and  meditation. 

IL  My  motives.  1.  I  will  always  endeavor  to  have  but  one 
motive  to  lead  me  forward  and  influence  me  to  act  in  every  thing, 
and  this  motive  shall  be  to  glorify  my  Maker.  2.  I  will  endeavor 
to  examine  carefully  my  secret  motives  in  all  I  do,  and  when  I  dis- 
cover that  my  motive  is  not  pure,  and  for  God's  glory,  and  this 
alone,  I  will  not  be  led  by  it,  but  resist  it. 

III.  In  relation  to  my  temper.  1.  I  will  endeavor  always  to 
keep  it  calm  and  without  irritability.  2.  I  will  strive  hard  to  be 
always  meek  and  patient  in  all  circumstances.  3.  I  will  endeavor 
to  be  deliberate  in  all  things,  and  holy  in  all  my  inclinations  and 
feelings. 

IV.  As  to  my  deeds.  1.  I  will  aim  to  do  notliing  except  what, 
on  elimination,  I  believe  to  be  directly  or  indirectly  commanded 
by  God.  2.  I  will  endeavor  to  perform  no  deeds,  wliich  I  am  con- 
vinced are  merely  selfish.  3.  I  will  do  nothing  which  I  would  be 
ashamed  to  have  known  were  it  by  accident  or  by  necessity  to  be- 
come public.  4.  I  will  not  overdo  body  or  mind,  but  endeavor  to 
lay  out  my  work  according  to  the  strength  which  God  shall  give, 
so  as  never  to  bring  myself  into  temptation  by  needless  perplexity. 


ii 


%s 


«■  ■* 

n 


85G 


MEMOIRS    OP 


V.  As  a  Christian.  1.  I  will  endeavor  lo  make  my  Lord  and 
Savior  Jesus  Christ,  my  guide,  leader,  pattern,  and  example.  2.  I 
will  never  be  ashamed  of  Christ,  nor  to  own  myself  a  Christian  in 
any  company,  nor,  from  fear  of  reproach,  neglect  to  introduce  re- 
ligion in  any  place,  where  I  believe  the  effect  would  be  salutary. 
3.  I  will  never  conform  to  any  of  the  fashions,  manners,  an«l  cus- 
toms of  the  world,  except  I  am  first  convinced  of  their  utility  in 
themselves  considered,  unless  it  be  in  a  case  where  a  variation 
would  be  likely  to  do  more  harm  than  conformity.  4.  I  will  en- 
deavor to  kneel  and  pray  in  secret  three  times  a  day,  viz.,  when  I 
arise,  at  noon,  and  on  going  to  bed ;  and  I  will  strive  always  to 
have  my  whole  soul  engaged  in  prayer  when  my  lips  are.  5.  I 
will  endeavor  never  to  pray  to  be  heard  of  men,  nor  merely  to  con- 
tinue a  form,  but  always  pray  for  what  I  want  and  nothing  else. 
6.  I  will  endeavor  always  to  attend  family  worship  before  break- 
fast, and  before  supper,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  except  in  such 
cases  as  I  shall  judge  it  duty  to  omit  it. 

VI.  As  a  minister.  1.  I  will  labor  constantly  to  be  intelligent, 
and  for  this  purpose  I  will  attentively  read  three  chapters  in  the 
Bible  by  course  every  day,  and  will  endeavor  to  spend  two  hours 
each  day  in  scientific  studies,  two  hours  in  theological  studies,  and 
two  hours  in  writing.  2.  I  will  always  endeavor  to  spend  one 
hour  before  every  sermon,  and  every  other  religious  meeting  I  may 
attend,  in  study  and  reflection,  preparatory  for  the  sacred  services, 
when  I  can  consistently  with  other  duties.  3.  I  will  endeavor  al- 
ways to  introduce  religious  conversation  and  prayer  in  all  places 
where  my  lot  may  be  cast,  and^among  all  kinds  of  company,  unless, 
indeed,  other  circumstances  forbid,  so  that  it  is  evidently  duty  to 
omit  such  services.  4.  I  will  always  improve  every  opportunity 
to  reprove  sin :  still  I  will  endeavor  to  do  it  with  meekness  and  af- 
fection, both  publicly  and  privately.  5.  I  will  endeavor  to  spend 
one  hour  every  day  in  religious  visiting  and  conversation,  and  al- 
ways endeavor  to  visit  and  pmy  with  two  families  each  day,  one  of 
whom  shall  be  a  family  I  never  visited  before.  7.  I  will  always 
endeavor  to  instruct  the  ignorant  with  meekness  and  patience. 

VII.  As  a  husband.  1.  I  will  always  be  attentive  to  learn  and 
supply  the  wants  of  my  dear  wife.  2.  I  will  never  be  impatient, 
quick,  nor  fretful,  nor  disposed  to  fault  finding.  3.  I  will  never  be 
morose.  4.  I  will  always  be  attentive.  5.  I  will  always  be  affec- 
tionate. 6.  I  will  always  be  very  kind.  7.  I  will  never  be  impo- 
lite. 8.  I  will  always  be  sociable.  9.  I  will  always  be  respect- 
ful. 

Vni.  As  a  citizen.  1.  I  will  carefully  read  and  consider  the 
things  of  public  interest,  and  faithfully  serve  the  public.  2.  I  will 
always  treat  rulers  with  respect.    3.  Still  I  will  be  faithful  to  truth 


5. 


f 


DAVID   MARKS. 


857 


and  justice.     4.  I  will  faithfully  warn  my  countir  of  its  dangers. 
5.  I  will  be  courtcoui^,  and  obliging,  and  kind  to  all  men. 

IX.  In  relation  to  mi/  words.  1.  They  shall  be  few.  2.  Thoy 
■shall  be  well  considered.  3.  They  shall  be  always  serious.  4. 
They  shall  be  always  plain.  5.  They  shall  never  be  slanderous. 
G.  They  shall  always  be  kind.  7.  They  shall  never  exaggerate 
truth.  8.  They  shall  always  be  designed  to  do  good.  9.  I  will 
always  be  cautious  what  I  say  and  to  whom  I  say  it.  10.  I  will 
always  endeavor  to  think  carefully  before  I  speak,  especially  when 
circumstances  do  not  absolutely  demand  that  I  should  speak  imme- 
diately. 11.  I  will  always,  when  with  Christians  and  ministers, 
endeavor,  according  to  my  ability,  to  discern  what  duties  they  neg- 
lect, and  encourage  them  to  renewed  diligence  and  faithfulness.  1 2. 
I  will  endeavor  always,  according  to  my  ability,  to  be  teaching  sin- 
ners their  guilt,  and  their  duty^to  repent  immediately.  13.  I  will 
strive  always  to  be  courteous  to  my  friends,  but  never  flattering. 
14.  In  my  public  addresses,  I  will  endeavor  to  have  all  my  words 
solemn.  15.  In  private  they  shall  be  guarded.  16.  All  my  con- 
versation shall  be  religious  or  strictly  conformable  to  religious  prin- 
ciples. 

X.  As  to  my  temporal  concerns.  1.  I  will  not  be  a  slave.  2. 
Nor  will  I  be  anxious.  3.  I  will  not  be  covetous.  4.  I  will  not 
be  wasteful.  6.  Neither  will  I  be  selfish.  6.  I  will  not  be  pro- 
fuse. 7.  Neither  will  I  be  gay.  8.  I  will  always  endeavor  to 
drive  my  work  and  never  let  that  drive  me.  9.  I  will  be  very 
cautious  of  getting  embarrassed  in  my  temporal  affairs.  10.  I  will 
endeavor  to  contract  no  needless  expense.  11.  I  will  endeavor  to 
devote  all  I  have  to  God,  either  directly  or  indirectly.  12.  So 
long  as  my  income  from  m.y  labors,  and  those  of  my  wife  amount 
to  S400  per  year,  I  will  give,  that  is,  pay  out  $100  per  annum  for 
benevolent  purposes.  13.  So  long  as  the  Lord  prospers  me,  I  will 
give,  that  is,  pay  out  twenty-five  per  cent  of  the  increase  of  my 
property  to  God,  the  estimate  to  be  made  Jan.  1,  1836. 

XI.  As  to  my  sleep.  I  will  endeavor  to  sleep  eight  hours  in 
the  winter,  and  seven  hours  in  the  summer,  or  at  least  lie  in  bed 
these  number  of  hours,  and  these  hours  shall  be  equally  before  and 
after  midnight,  or  at  least  between  nine  and  five  o'clock. 

XII.  As  to  ffenei'cU  duties,  1.  I  will  endeavor  that  all  my 
preaching  shall  be  affectionate.  2.  I  will  endeavor  when  circum- 
stances and  other  duties  will  permit,  to  preach  from  five  to  seven 
times  per  week.  3.  I  will  always  labor  to  feel  what  I  preach.  4. 
In  labors,  meetings  of  business,  &c.  &c.,  I  will  be  very  cautious  of 
giving  offence,  yet  be  firm  to  truth.  5.  I  will  watch  my  opportu- 
nities to  visit  those  that  are  in  prison.  6.  I  will  also  often  visit 
those  that  are  confined  in  alms  houses.     7.  I  will  frequently  visit 


858 


MEMOIRS   or 


the  sick.  8.  I  will  use  the  best  economy  I  can  in  all  my  expcn- 
6es,  and  in  all  things.  9.  I  will  be  kind  to  the  |)Oor,  and  especially 
to  those  who  are  my  relatives.  10.  Finally,  if  hereafter  I  find  any 
good  thing  not  included  in  these  resolutions,  I  will  practice  the 
same.  11.  I  will  read  these  resolutions  every  week  for  at  leant 
five  yerjs,  if  I  live,  and  try  to  keep  them  without  the  least  varia- 
tion." 

Subsequently  he  added  the  following :  "1.  I  will  ever  watch 
against  coarseness,  abruptness,  and  a  dogmatical  manner  of  speaking, 
and  will  labor  constantly  to  abound  and  excel  in  meekness,  mild- 
ness,  complaisance,  and  sociability,  being  always  neat,  kind,  gentle, 
instructive,  obliging,  and  agreeable,  before  all  classes  of  men,  but 
especicdlf/  when  with  my  dearest  friend.  May  God  enable  me  al- 
ways to  be  faithful,  kind,  and  obliging  to  her.  2.  In  all  my  con- 
versation, I  will  labor  to  be  humble,  gentle,  candid,  without  self 
conceit,  or  ostentation,  always  showing  a  deference  to  the  opinions 
of  others,  especially  those  of  the  aged  and  the  learned.  8.  I  will 
endeavor  never  to  speak  a  hasty  or  impatient  word,  however  great 
a  provocation  I  may  receive,  but  will  always  aim  to  be  deliberate, 
swift  to  hear  and  slow  to  speak.  4.  I  will  reprove  tenderly  every 
instance  of  wickedness  I  witness  among  friends  or  foes.  5.  I  will 
endeavor  to  use  all  my  strength  and  energies,  both  of  body  and 
mind,  so  as  to  do  the  greatest  possible  amount  of  good,  i^*  Re- 
member this.  6.  I  will  aim  at  perfection  in  all  I  do  with  body  or 
mind.  H^  Don't  forget  the  extent  of  this  rule.  7.  Finally,  I  will 
make  holiness  of  heart  and  life  the  only  object  of  my  living,  that  I 
may  be  prepared  to  glorify  God  and  save  souls." 

In  a  revision  and  adoption  of  his  rules,  Aug.  2,  1837,  he  super- 
scribed them  his  "  Golden,  life-bound,  perfect,  irreversible,  manly, 
self-abasing,  God-hon(»>ing,  invaluable  resolutions,"  and  signed  his 
name  with  a  seal. 

Allusion  has  already  been  made  to  his  sufferings  from  hunger 
while  he  could  bear  very  little  food.  At  times,  his  agony  from 
this  source  was  so  great,  that  he  would  weep  like  a  child,  and  look 
around  wishfully  upon  the  doors  and  furniture  of  the  room,  and 
say  he  could  scarcely  refrain  from  gnawing  them.  He  had  previ- 
ously written  rules  regulating  his  diet,  which  he  thus  prefaced : 
"  Whereas,  I  have  made  several  solemn  resolutions  in  relation  to 
my  diet,  which  my  exceeding  sufferings  in  hunger,  have,  as  it  were, 
compelled  me  to  violate,  or  vary  from,  I  do  now  hereby  make  the 
following."  He  then  particularized  the  quality  and  quantity  of 
each  meal,  as  he  thought  most  conducive  to  his  health,  and  at  tlie 
close,  wrote  thus:  "Penalties.  For  violating  these  rules  in 
thought,  I  will  live  on  nought  but  bread  and  water,  twelve  ounces 
each  for  one  day.     For  violating  them  in  the  amount  of  drink,  I 


DAVID   MARKS. 


859 


will  live  thus  two  days.     For  violiUlng  them  in  eating,  I  will  live 
thii9  ten  (Inys. 

Februnrv  3,  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.  Arraigned  myself  for  trials 
having  broken  my  rulesj,  and  sentenced  myself  to  livfc  on  bread 
and  water  according  to  the  above  penalty  ten  days.  Febnjaiy  10. 
Finally,  I  have  run  away  from  the  penalty  !  What  shall  I  do  to 
conquer  a  diseased  appetite  ?  0  Lord,  do  thou  strengthen  and 
help  me." 


Jt:<       y 


<^y^^-^^  y*^t^y0^.^ 


A 


CHAl'TERXXVI.     , 

Mf.  Marks*  Labors  in  Rochester^  N,-  Y.  Sfc.from  Jan,  1836,  to 

July  1838. 

Mr.  Marks  entered  upon  his  labors  in  Rochester,  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  New  York  Home  Mission  Society,  the  second  Sab- 
bath in  January  1836,  with  somewhat  improved  health.  Much 
to  his  gi'atification,  his  only  sister,  over  whom  he  had  for  years  ex- 
ercised a  parental  care,  now  became  a  member  of  his  family. 
About  this  time,  Mr.  Burr  wrote  him  some  particulars  of  an  eflfort 
(which  came  near  being  successful)  to  close  the  columns  of  the 
Star  against  the  discussion  of  slavery,  and  also  of  the  opposition 
and  fiery  trials  hel^till  had  to  encounter  to  keep  the  Star  unshack- 
led. The  following  is  an  extract  from  tlie  reply  he  wrote  Mr. 
Burr. 

"  My  heart  bleeds  for  the  sins  of  the  church.  My  soul  is  often 
in  agony  when  I  see  professing  Christians  opposing  the  Scriptural 
method,  and  the  only  possible,  peaceful  method,  of  exterminating  sla- 
very, viz.  to  stop  doing  wrong  now,  to  cease  to  do  evil  now,  and  let 
the  oppressed  go  free.  It  is  not  in  my  power  to  help  doubting  the 
genuineness  of  the  piety  of  such  professors,  the  depth  and  solidity 
of  their  Christian  principles.  Abolition  principles  are  not  mere 
opinions.  They  are  self-evident  principles — principles  that 
God  has  abundantly  taught  and  written  as  with  a  sun-beam  in  his 
word  which  cannot  be  broken.  0  my  dear  brother,  God  has  put 
feelings  in  my  heart  for  his  down-troddren  poor  that  it  would 
be  vain  for  me  to  attempt  to  express.  I  do  often  feel  that  I  "  re- 
member those  that  are  in  bonds  as  bound  with  them."  0,  for  what 
would  I  be  willing  to  be  a  slave ! — to  be  the  property  of  another ! 
—to  have  my  wife  torn  from  me,  sold  as  human  ware  at  public 
auction  1  But  I  stop.  I  cannot  go  on.  There  will  be  a  better 
state  of  things,  I  know  there  will,  for  there  is  a  God  in  heaven. 
He  has  promised  to  deliver  the  '  needy  when  he  crieth,  the  poor  al- 


m 


i-fi^; 


3  % 

'w 

3 

■:3 

l| 

'- 

/ 

3G0 


MEMOIRS   OF 


;ii 


i^ 


il 


SO,  and  him  that  hath  no  heli^er,  and  to  break  in  pieces  the  oppress- 
or.' And  though  professed  Christians  may  *  speak  wickedly  con- 
cerning oppression'  and  God  may  say  of  them  as  he  did  of  his 
ancient  people :  '  Even  of  late  mi/  people  is  risen  up  as  an  enemy,' 
victory  will  yet  tum  on  the  side  of  justice  and  truth.  I  have  hope 
for  my  country,  for  though  our  princes  [President  and  governors] 
plead  for  the  system  that '  sheds  blood  and  destroys  souls  in  order  to 
get  dishonest  gain,  and  many  of  our  prophets  daub  them  with  un- 
tempered  mortar,  seeing  vanity  and  divining  lies  unto  them,  saying, 
'  Thus  saith  the  Lord' — slavery  is  my  institution — keep  it  sacred 
— when  the  Lord  hath  not  spoken.  For  though  '  the  people  of 
the  hmd  have  used  oppression,  and  exercised  robberi/,  and  have 
vexed  the  poor  and  the  needy ;  yea,  they  have  oppressed  the 
stranger  wrongfully  ;*  yet  when  God  has  sought  for  men  among  us 
that  should  '  make  up  the  hedge,  and  stand  in  the  gap  before  him 
for  the  land  that  he  should  not  destroy  it,'  he  has  found  some  prec- 
ious ones  that  in  the  midst  of  opprobrium,  dangers,  perils,  and  even 
death,  have  stood  up  with  the  spirit  of  martyrs,  and  plead  the  cause 
of  the  oppressed.  Therefore  Grod  has  not  yet  'poured  out  his  in- 
dignation upon  us,  he  has  not  yet  consumed  us  with  the  fire  of  his 
wrath ;  our  own  way  he  has  not  recompensed  upon  our  heads.' 
See  Ezekiel  22:27 — 3L  O  I  love,  I  revere,  I  venerate  those  no- 
ble souls  that  have  the  moral  courage,  and  the  Christian  principle, 
in  this  evil  day,  in  these  degenerate  times,  to  go  forth  in  the  midst 
of  the  storm  of  wrath,  persecution,  and  bitter Veviling,  and  plead 
the  cause  of  bleeding  Zion  and  suffering  humanity." 

The  following  brief  summary  of  Mr.  Marks'  labors  in  Roches- 
ter, are  taken  from  his  quarterly  reports  to  the  Executive  Board  of 
the  Free-will  Baptist  New  York  Home  Mission  Society. 

First  Report,  March  3L  *         *         *         "In  commenc- 

ing my  labors  my  first  object  was  to  procure  a  place  for  meetings. 
I  succeeded  in  obtaining  leave  to  occupy  the  Court  House,  and  on 
Sabbath,  January  10,  preached  my  first  sermons.  My  subjects 
were  a  summary  of  the  doctrine  which  I  proposed  to  preach  in 
my  future  ministrations,  and  the  duties  of  a  minister  of  Christ. 
Since  that  time  I  have  preached  in  the  Court  House  three  times 
every  Sabbath.  For  the  greater  edification  of  my  regular  hear- 
ers, 1  followed  a  system  in  the  order  of  my  discourses,  so  as  to  em- 
brace in  the  end  every  important  branch  of  the  doctrine  of  Divine 
Revelation.  The  following  are  the  subjects  on  which  I  have 
preached  one  or  more  discourses  in  the  systematic  chain  of  ser- 
mons which  I  proposed  to  deliver.  The  folly  of  atheism — Licon- 
sistency  of  deism — Inconsistency  of  irreligion — The  contradictions 
of  infidelity — The  external  evidences  of  Christianity — The  Scrip- 
ture miracles — The  internal  evidences  of  Christianity — Existence 


DAVID   MARKS. 


361 


ommenc- 


of  God — His  unity — His  eternity  and  immutability — His  omni- 
presence and  omniscience — His  power — His  justice — His  good- 
ness— His  truth — His  mercy — His  wisdom.  In  connection  with 
these  discourses,  I  have  given  a  number  on  various  subjects  suited 
to  the  state  of  the  congregation,  such  as,  Man's  disposition  to  reject 
the  gospel — The  excellence  of  the  Scriptures — Their  commenda- 
tion to  the  consciences  of  all  men — The  effects  of  the  gospel — Its 
fruits,  an  evidence  of  its  divine  authenticity— God's  call  upon  sin- 
ners— The  invitations  of  the  gospel— Repentance — Baptism  a  bu- 
rial— The  ^'itnesses  against  the  impenitent — The  confession  of 
Christ — The  cross  of  Christ — God's  expostulations  with  the  wick- 
ed— Christ  a  stone  of  stumbling — The  sinner's  encouragement  to 
follow  Christ.  In  all  these  discourses,  I  have  endeavored  to  intro- 
duce something  practical,  remembering  that  a  right  practice  is  the 
great  object  which  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  is  designed  to  ef- 
fect. My  congregation  has  usually  consisted  of  from  fifty  to  one 
hundred  persons  ;  sometimes  more.  The  meetings  have  been  or- 
derly, and  the  hearers  generally  very  solemn.  A  number  have 
given  heed  to  the  word,  and  six  persons  have  given  good  evidence 
that  they  have  passed  from  death  unto  life.  I  have  baptized  sev- 
en ;  twenty  one  have  pledged  their  names  for  the  support  of  the 
meeting,  and  to  unite  in  a  church  when  there  shall  be  one  form- 
ed. None  of  those  who  propose  to  unite  possess  much  property, 
so  that  at  present,  little  more  can  be  expected  from  them  than  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  the  meeting  for  fuel,  lights,  and  attendance. 
Their  being  poor  in  this  world  is,  however,  no  cause  of  discourage- 
ment, for  amop^'  this  class  the  gospel  has  usually  obtained  its  fii*st 
reception.  The  Scripture  saith,  "  You  see  your  calling,  brethren—- 
God  hath  chosen  the  poor  of  this  world."  Some  of  these  breth- 
ren have  excellent  gifts  in  exhortation  and  prayer,  so  that,  in  the 
absence  of  a  preacher,  they  frequently  hold  very  interesting  pray- 
er meetings.  Besides  the  twenty  one  who  have  given  their  names, 
there  are  a  few  others  who  are  attached  to  our  meeting  that,  will 
probably  join  when  the  church  is  foniied.  The  general  state  of 
religion  m  Rochester  is  very  good.  Eight  of  the  churches  have 
held  protracted  meetings  since  the  15th  of  January,  and  a  glorious 
revival  has  spread  through  the  city  in  which  many  hundreds  have 
been  converted. 

During  my  stay  in  Rochester,  I  have  preached  more  or  less  in 
Byron,  Ogden,  Batavia,  Parma,  Riga,  Chili,  Clarkson,  Penfield, 
Canandaigua,  Brighton,  and  Greece.  In  all  I  have  preached  thirty 
times  in  towns  and  neighborhoods  adjacent  to  Rochester  and  its  vi- 
cinity, and  have  spent  about  two  weeks  on  councils  in  settling  diffi- 
culties in  Byron  and  Attica  churches.  I  have  also  been  present  at 
two  prayer  meetings  every  week  in  Rochester.  These  have  been 
31 


^m 


'•  ■'.:!' 


362 


MEMOIRS   OF 


m 

I 


very  useful  and  well  attended.  Having  as  yet  scarcely  regulated 
my  affairs  in  settling  my  residence,  I  have  been  able  to  devote  lit- 
tle time  to  visiting.  I  have  generally  aimed  to  spend  about  six  hours 
daily  in  study. 

The  Court  House  is  old  and  leaky,  and  not  very  convenient  for 
public  worship,  and  as  in  former  years  it  has  been  the  meetinrr 
place  for  infidels  and  false  teachers,  its  character  as  a  place  of  wor- 
ship has  not  been  very  reputable.  Many  who  do  not  attend  our 
meeting  say  they  would,  if  we  had  a  convenient  and  respectable 
place  for  meetings.  Indeed,  it  will  be  extremely  difficult  to  suc- 
ceed in  Rochester  to  any  considerable  extent  without  a  meeting 
house.  To  this  it  may  be  added,  that  real  estate  is  rising  at  an  un- 
precedented rate,  and  a  building  lot  that  now  costs  $1000  will 
probably  cost  twice  this  sum  twelve  months  hence.  On  tlie 
whole,  I  consider  the  field  now  opened  for  the  Free-will  Baptists  to 
do  good  in  this  city  to  be  very  great.  Doubtless  Rochester  will, 
at  no  distant  period,  become  a  great  city  and  a  centre  of  influence 
from  which  thousands  of  characters  in  other  places  will  be  form- 
ed for  eternity.  Yours,  affectionately, 

David  Marks." 

Second  Report.  June  30.  "  In  my  last  report,  I  named  that  twen- 
ty-one had  given  their  names  to  unite  in  a  church.  April  10,  one 
was  organized,  consisting  of  twenty-eight  members,  fourteen  of 
whom  I  had  recently  baptized.  I  was  assisted  in  the  organiza- 
tion by  two  ministers  from  the  Monroe  quarterly  meeting.  Com- 
mittees had  been  previously  appointed  to  examine  carefully  the 
character  and  piety  of  each  applicant.  The  different  members 
subscribed  to  a  covenant  and  declaration  of  sentiments,  embodying 
the  great  principles,  doctrine,  and  practice,  of  the  Bible.  Our 
evening  assemblies  have  decreased,  in  consequence  of  business  ar.d 
the  shortness  of  the  evenings,  but  our  congregation  in  the  day  time 
increases.  We  have  held  a  slated  prayer  meeting  twice  a  week, 
and  a  covenant  meeting  once  a  month.  These  meetings  have  been 
well  attended,  and  the  brethren  seem  well  engaged.  Though  the 
revival  has  subsided,  we  have  no  reason  to  be  discouraged.  AVe 
are  treated  with  much  kindness  by  all  classes,  and  especially  by 
all  evangelical  Christians.  For  want  of  funds  to  purchase  a  libra- 
ry, we  have  not  been  able  to  establish  a  Sabbath  school  with  pros- 
pects of  success  ;  for  children  would  not  come  to  our  school,  if  we 
could  not  encourage  them  with  books  as  do  others.  "We  meet  with 
a  great  loss  in  not  sustaining  one.  "We  have  a  number  of  mem- 
bers well  qualified  for  teachers  who  would  enlist  with  all  their 
hearts.  Once  or  twice  I  have  resolved  that  I  would  purchase  a 
library  at  my  own  expense,  but  to  confess  the  truth  I  could  not, 
for,  besides  taking  on  myself  several  responsibilities  to  a  considera- 


y  regulated 

devote  lit- 

it  six  hours 

i^enient  for 
le  meeting 
ace  of  wor- 
attend  our 
respectable 
lult  to  PllC- 


DAYID    MARKS. 


363 


a 


meeting 


g  at  un  nn- 
81000  will 
J.  On  the 
Baptists  to 
shester  will, 
)f  influence 
ill  be  form- 

VIarks." 

I  that  twcn- 
»ril  10,  one 
fourteen  of 
e  organ!  za- 
Ing.  Com- 
refuUy  the 
it  members 
embodying 
Jible.  Our 
usiness  and 
le  day  time 
ice  a  week, 
I  have  boon 
though  the 
aged.  We 
ipecially  by 
ase  a  libra- 
with  pros- 
hool,  if  we 
!  meet  with 
ir  of  mem- 
h  all  their 
purchase  «a 
could  not, 
considera- 


ble amount  directly  or  indirectly  connected  with  the  mission,  I  have 
been  necessitated  to  supply  my  own  wants  to  a  considerable  extent, 
and  this  with  more  difficulty  and  embarrassment  than  I  could  en- 
dure, without  turning  my  attention  from  the  word  of  God.  [At 
this  time,  if  I  mistake  not,  Mr.  Marks  had  received  but  about  twen- 
ty dollars  directly  from  the  mission  society.  He  often  went  out 
duiing  the  week  among  the  churches,  and  raised  contributions 
which  he  credited  to  the  society.  Ed.]  Thus  I  have  had  little 
time  to  visit  and  hold  personal  intercourse  with  my  hearers,  a  la- 
bor which  adds  greatly  to  a  minister's  success  and  usefulness. 
Since  my  last  report,  I  have  attended  the  Monroe  and  Benton  quar- 
terly meetings,  in  both  of  wliich  collections  were  taken  for  Home 
Missions.  I  have  usually  preached  three  times  on  the  Sabbath, 
still  following  a  systematic  course  in  theology,  excepting  when  pe- 
culiar circumstances  required  another  subject.  I  have  also  preach- 
ed in  Brighton,  "Walworth,  Gorham,  and  Benton,  and  several  times 
in  each  of  the  following  towns,  Parma,  Penfield,  Canandaigua,  and 
Milo. 

Experience  had  convinced  us  more  and  more,  that  without  a  meet- 
ing house,  our  success  in  Rochester  mu.^t  be  extremelj  limited,  and 
that  to  delay  to  obtain  a  site  for  one  would  render  it  more  difficult 
and  expensive  to  procure  a  good  location.  About  two  months 
since,  we  examined  two  convenient  lots,  and  tacitly  promis- 
ed ourselves  that  we  would  attempt  to  secure  one  of  them,  but 
while  we  waited,  the  price  of  one  was  raised  S500,  and  that  of  the 
other  SIOOO.  Then  we  partially  resolved  to  organize  our  society 
according  to  law,  raise  what  subscription  we  could,  and  if  necessa- 
ry, hire  a  few  hundred  dollars  to  make  the  first  payment.  The 
subject  wav«^  laid  before  the  Monroe  quarterly  meeting :  they  advis- 
ed us  to  secure  a  lot  and  build  a  house  aa  soon  as  possible,  and 
pledged  themselves  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  sustahi  us.  *  * 
*  *  I  took  measures  to  have  our  society  incorporated  accord- 
ing to  'aw,  and  after  searching  the  city  one  week  for  the  best  site 
we  could  obtain,  by  the  advice  of  our  leading  brethren,  I  purchas- 
ed for  (hem  a  lot  fifty-six  feet  by  one  hundred  and  twenty-six,  on 
the  corner  o'.  liuffalo  and  King  streets.  Several  gentlemen  give 
encour.igcment  that  they  will  aid  us  considerably.*  We  have  ven- 
tured to  appoint  six  trustees,  and  have  issued  proposals  for  building 
a  stone  chu^i  .h,  fifty  feet  by  seventy-five,  the  basement  to  contain  a 
^  estry  to  be  ready  for  use  by  the  1st  of  Jan.  next,  and  the  house 
to  be  finished  within  twelve  months.  "We  think  we  can  raise  three 
thousand  dollars  in  Rochester,  and  to  encourage  the  work  I  have 

•  One  gentleman,  a  prominent  member  of  the  third  Tresbyterian  church,  said   he 
would  raiiit'  one  thousand  dollars. 


flv^^ 


m'lS^ 


364 


UEMOIRS   OP 


1?  ■' 


promised  to  subscribe  five  hundred  dollars,  and  have  solemnly  cov- 
enanted with  the  trustees  to  stand  by  them. 

Now,  brethren,  the  subscription  is  printed :  one  hundred  copies 
are  ready,  and  shall  we  present  them  to  the  public  in  Rochester, 
and  among  our  churches  in  the  surrounding  country  ? 

Yours  in  love,  David  Marks." 

The  Board  approbated  the  proceedings  of  the  church,  and  ad- 
vised them  to  go  forward. 

Mr.  Marks'  third  quarterly  report  is  lost,  and  for  the  ensuing 
three  months  there  is  no  record  of  his  labort.  On  his  retuni  to 
Rochester  after  meeting  the  Board,  he  learnod  that  three  church- 
es, who  contemplated  building  houses  of  worship,  had  circulated 
subscriptions  through  the  city.  Several  friendly  gentlemen  advis- 
ed that  the  circulation  of  the  subscription  for  the  Free-will  Baptist 
house  be  deferred  a  few  weeks,  as  they  thought  much  more  suc- 
cess would  be  insured,  than  to  follow  directly  after  so  many  solici- 
tations. Accordingly  it  was  decided  to  let  the  matter  rest  for  a 
season.  Mr.  Marks  hired,  on  his  own  responsibility,  at  a  high  in- 
terest, five  hundred  dollars  to  meet  the  first  payment  on  the  meet- 
ing house  lot,  and  a  small  house  and  lot  purchased  in  connection 
with  it  for  a  parsonage.  He  prosecuted  his  labors  much  as  he  had 
done,  but  struggling  with  increasing  embarrassments.  In  the  lat- 
ter part  of  August,  Mr.  Abner  Kneeland,  the  noted  infidel,  came  to 
Rochester,  and  by  the  intrigue  and  misrepresentation  of  some  infi- 
dels in  the  city,  got  possession  of  the  Court  House  on  the  afternoon 
of  Sabbath  Aug.  21.  Mr.  Marks  read  a  statement  in  the  meeting 
from  the  sherifi',  which,  with  other  circumstances,  exposed  the  du- 
plicity that  had  been  used.  He  then  dismissed  his  congregation, 
advising  them  to  go  to  some  other  meeting,  but  thought  it  iiis  duty 
to  listen  to  Mr.  Kneeland  and  give  a  public  reply.  He  did  so,  and 
also  wrote  out  Mr.  Kneeland's  arguments,  presented  in  three  lec- 
tures, and  his  own  replies,  which  were  subsequently  published  in 
the  Morning  Star.*     In  defence  of  this  course,  he  said,  "  For  years, 


*  Mr.  Kneeland,  in  a  public  assemliiy  in  Boston,  Mass.  not  Tar  f>om  the  time  he  was  iii 
Rocliester,  dared  the  Almighty  to  strike  him  dead,  and  gave  him  Ave  minutes  in  which 
to  do  it,  holding  his  watcli  in  hia  liaiid.  wiih  his  arm  extended,  unill  the  minuteH  had  ex- 
pired, and  then  tauntingly  said:  "  Where  is  now  your  God  i"'  For  wise  reasons,  liis  iii- 
Hulted  Maker  conti>  .led  hia  life  till  a  Tew  months  since,  when  he  was  arrested  by  the 
ragings  of  a  fever  in  Iowa,  and  was  said  to  have  passed  unconsciously  to  the  jndpnieiit. 
Directly  over  his  head,  hung  the  prayer  of  a  "  Free  thinker,"  written  by  himself,  and 
around  his  room  the  pictures  of  Tom  Paine,  Voltaire,  and  their  infamous  associate.s. 
It  is  said  that  during  the  last  six  years  of  his  life,  he  labored  zealously  and  nssidnou»:I\ 
to  plant  a  seat  for  atheism  in  the  valley  of  the  West.  On  the  banks  of  the  Des  Moiiie» 
in  Iowa,  he  located  his  paradise,  and  hoped  to  see  a  generation  arise,  who  should  open- 
ly proclaim,  "There  is  no  God."  Rut  the  Lord  has  laughed  at  his  impotent  efibrts,  and 
as  now  over  the  sleeping  dust  of  Voltaire,  the  great  champion  of  infidelity  in  the  kU 
world,  stands  a  Christian  sanctuary  for  devout  worshippers,  so  in  this  seat  of  the  inlidt- 1 
Kneeland,  it  is  stated  tliat  "  there  are  now  Ave  Christian  churches,  and  five  educated  or- 
dained miuislers,  preaching  salvation  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb." 


DAVID   UARKa. 


365 


I  have  thought  that  ministers  ought  not  to  pursue  such  a  dignified 
and  independent  manner,  as  they  usually  do,  in  relation  to  the  at- 
tacks of  infidels.  We  ought  to  meet  every  opposer,  and  with  all 
meekness  and  patience  accommodate  ourselves  to  the  weakest  ca- 
pacity, and  condescend  to  answer  plainly  and  familiarly  every  ar- 
gument which  might  deceive  even  the  most  ignorant.  If  ministers 
will  not  throw  themselves  into  the  breach,  who  will?  If  those 
whom  God  has  set  for  the  defence  of  the  gospel  will  not  accommo- 
date themselves  and  their  arguments  to  the  condition  and  capaci- 
ties of  the  unlearned,  and  the  haters  of  religious  restraints,  who 
will  ?     Is  it  right  to  give  up  this  multitude  ?" 

The  opposition  of  the  infidels  in  Rochester  was  aroused,  and 
through  their  influence  it  was  decided  that  the  Court  House  should 
he  closed  against  all  stated  religious  meetings.  The  church  then 
met  in  a  stone  school  house  in  a  distant  part  of  the  city,  and  after- 
wards in  a  brick  building  on  the  comer  of  Ann  and  State  streets. 

In  October,  Mr.  Marks  attended  the  first  anniversary  of  the 
New  York  Anti  Slavery  Society  in  Utica,  as  a  delegate  from  the 
Rochester  Anti  Slavery  Society.  Mr.  Gerritt  Smith  and  Alvan 
Stewart,  Esq.  were  among  the  speakers. 

In  the  mean  time  pecuniary  difficulties  had  continued  to  thicken.  The 
season  had  been  the  most  unfavorable  of  any  for  many  years.  Crops 
were  generally  cut  off,  and  as  the  Mission  Society  was  mostly  de- 
pendent on  the  contributions  of  farmers,  it  had  received  no  fimds, 
its  Board  had  become  discouraged,  and  informed  Mr.  Marks  that 
such  was  the  scarcity,  they  were  utterly  unable  to  redeem  their 
pledge  to  support  him.  They  said  to  him,  that  if  he  wished  to 
leave,  he  had  their  approbation  in  so  doing,  but  it  would  be  grati- 
fying to  them  if  he  could  remain.  He  was  novv  brought  into  tri- 
als he  had  not  anticipated.  He  luid  been  living  for  a  time  on 
credit,  expecting  funds  from  the  society  to  meet  these  expenses. 
His  little  home  in  Canandaigua,  in  consequence  of  the  rise  of  re- 
al estate,  he  had  sold  for  $2100,  in  an  exchange  for  a  piece  of 
woodland  two  miles  from  the  village.  This  he  tried  to  sell,  but 
found  times  had  become  so  hard,  that  he  coukl  not  without  a  great 
sacrifice.  Ilis  only  alternatives  were  to  abandon  the  church  in 
Rochester,  or  do  something  to  meet  his  expenses.  Afler  much 
considemtion  and  prayer,  he  concluded  to  do  the  Utter.  Perse- 
verance was  one  of  the  constituents  of  his  character,  and  he  had 
been  accustomed  to  struggle  with  difficulties.  His  health  had  great- 
ly improved,  but  he  dared  not  enter  upon  any  business  that  would 
materially  add  to  his  mental  labors.  He  soon  had  an  opportunity 
to  engage  with  a  partner  in  lumbering,  and  thought  he  had  made 
arrangements  that  would  secure  him  means  to  meet  his  expenses^. 
31* 


ri 


li 


*il 


i! 

V 

f 
I 


V 


I' 


h 


366 


MEMOIRS   OF 


and  yet  leave  most  of  his  time  for  ministerial  duties.     The  follow- 
ing is  taken  from  his  fourth  report  to  the  Home  Mission  Board. 

December  29,  1836. 
Dear  brethren, 

You  recollect  that  at  your  last  meeting,  you  infoimed  me  that 
you  were  unable  to  redeem  your  pledge  to  sustain  me,  and  that  I 
was  at  liberty  to  leave,  &c.     After  deep  reflection  and  much  pray- 
er for  Divine  assistance,  I  felt  satisfied  for  the  following  reasons, 
that  it  was  duty  to  remain,  although  I  was  well  aware  that  trials 
and  afflictions  awaited  me.     1.  The  little  church  that  had  been 
gathered  was  the  fruit  of  much  toil,  watching,  and  many  prayers, 
and  to  my  feelings  it  was  as  cruel  as  death  to  leave  them  without  a 
shepherd.     2.  The  thoughts  of  the  dishonor  it  would  bring  on  our 
denomination  and  the  cause,  seemed  more  than  I  could  endure.     3. 
I  had  already  contracted  debts  to  some  amount  for  living  in  the 
city,  and  as  the  pressure  of  the  times  had  become  such  that  I  had 
been  unable  to  turn  my  property  into  money,  I  could  not  pay  my 
debts  and  leave  honorably.     So  I  committed  my  case  to  Ilim  who 
has  promised  that ''  No  good  thing  will  he  withhold  from  him  that 
walketh  uprightly,"  being  perfectly  aware  that  my  temporal  em- 
barrassments would  exceed  all  through  which  I  had  ever  passed. 
But  considering  the  extremely  interesting  field  of  labor  before  me. 
that  was  white,  all  ready  to  harvest,  notwithstanding  all  the  dif- 
ficulties and  afflictive  circumstances  that  surrounded  me,  the  only 
alternative  that  seemed  presented  in  the  path  of  duty  was — to 
enter  into  business  that  would  afiford  me  relief  till  I  could  make 
a  different  disposition  of  my  affairs.         *         »         »         *         # 
I  have  arranged  my  business  with  a  view  of  having  as  much  time 
as  possible  for  ministerial  labor.     To  benefit  the  church  and  the 
world  is  the  only  object  for  which  I  am  willing  to  live,  and  to  which 
I  am  determined  that,  through  the  gi-ace  of  God,  every  act  of  my 
life  shall  be  subservient.     Consequently  in  the  course  I  have  pur- 
sued, I  feel  peace  of  conscience,  and  whenever  the  necessity  of  its 
further  pursuit  is  removed,  it  will  be  with  joy  inexpressible  that  I 
shall  relinquish  it. 

Since  the  meeting  of  the  Board  in  August  last,  some  have  been 
converted  among  us,  nine  have  been  added  to  our  number,  and 
there  is  a  prospect  of  more  additions  soon.  Some  in  our  congre- 
gation are  inquiring,  "  Wliat  they  shall  do  to  be  saved,"  and  we 
are  looking  for  a  general  outpouring  of  the  Spirit.  Several  of  our 
members,  on  account  of  the  hard  times,  have  taken  dismissions  and 
left  the  city.  Our  present  number  is  thirty  seven.  Our  monthly 
meetings,  weekly  prayer  meetings,  and  four  meetings  on  the  Sab- 
bath, are  regularly  attended  with  interest  and  profit.    A  more  im- 


w 


DAVID   MARKS. 


367 


portant  field  can  hardly  be  found,  and  one  that  can  wholly  devote  him- 
self to  the  work,  has  great  opportunities  for  winning  souls  to  Christ. 
Yours,  in  the  bonds  of  the  blessed  gospel, 

David  Marks." 

The  Secretary  of  the  Boai-d  presented  Mr.  Marks  the  following: 

"  Batavia,  Dec.  30,  1836. 
7'o  all  whom  it  may  concern  .•— - 

This  certifies  that  Elder  David  Marks'  labors  at  Rochester 
have  been  successful  and  satisfactory  to  this  Board.  But  such 
are  the  embarrassments  of  the  Society,  that  we  cannot  redeem  our 

f (ledge  to  support  him  in  Rochester,  nor  shall  we  be  able  to  do  any 
hing  towards  his  support  for  several  months  to  come.  So  we  are 
forced  to  the  painful  necessity  of  withdi'awing  that  pledge,  and 
leaving  him  to  depend  on  his  own  efforts,  and  those  of  individuals 
who  may  feel  interested.  Though  his  embarrassments  are  great, 
he  has  deteraiined  that  it  is  his  duty  to  remain  in  Rochester  under 
the  direction  of  this  Board.  This,  therefore,  is  to  entreat  all 
who  feel  any  interest  in  sustaining  the  mission  at  Rochester,  to 
render  our  missionary  in  that  place  all  the  immediate  aid  in  their 
power,  in  order  to  relieve  him  from  his  present  necessities. 

Done  by  order  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  New  York 
Home  Mission  Society. 

PiiiNEiiAs  Ford,  Corresponding  Secretary.^* 
Mr.  Marks  continued  his  labors  in  Rochester  through  the  win- 
ter with  some  success,  and  also  frequently  preached  with  the 
cliurches  in  the  country.  January  4,  1837,  he  preached  the  dedica- 
tion sermon  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  meeting  house  in  Penfield, 
from  Ilaggai  2:7 — 9.  He  enjoyed  remarkable  freedom  on  this  occa- 
sion, and  it  was  a  season  of  most  thrilling  interest. 

The  embarrassments  in  the  commercial  world  had  now  become 
unexampled  in  the  history  of  our  country.  Many  of  the  oldest 
and  wealthiest  firms  in  our  cities  had  suffered  a  total  wreck.  Lit- 
tle else  than  failures  and  pecuniary  distresses  were  the  subjects  of 
conversation.  Mr.  Marks,  in  common  with  others,  met  with  severe 
losses  from  unexpe  'ted  and  unforeseen  causes.  April  18,  he  wrote 
the  following : 

"  Whereas,  my  emt»  «r!  assments  have  increased  upon  me  almost 
without  measure  and  'vithout  limits,  insomuch  that  I  feel  quite  dis- 
couraged, and  ready  to  give  up,  and  make  an  assignment  of  my 
property  in  order  to  pay  my  debts,  and  get  clear  from  embarrass- 
ments, and  whereas,  tliis  course  might  be  very  prejudicial  to  my 
usefulness  in  the  world,  and  whereas,  in  my  present  hui'i-ied  state, 
I  can  neither  enjoy  life  nor  be  useful,  I  do  most  solemnly  make 
the  following  promises,  that  I  may  attain  to  the  object  of  my  exis- 


i»^' 


[.-*■' 


■ii 


868 


BtEMOIRS   OP 


tence.  1.  I  will  not  give  up  under  tliscouragements,  nor  permir 
(lisappointmente  to  wear  upon  my  spirit,  but  do  my  duty  in  all 
things,  and  be  patient.  2.  I  will  uniformly  be  very  forbearing  and 
meek  toward  all  men,  and  endeavor  to  preserve  a  happy  frame  of 
mind,  and,  as  much  as  possible,  peace  toward  all  men.  3.  I  will 
steadily  use  all  possible  diligence,  and  strive  in  one  year  from  thU 
day  to  clear  myself  from  all  debts,  even  though  nothing  should  be 
left  me,  and  then  enter  the  most  rigid  course  of  economy,  in  order 
that  my  mind  may  be  free  for  intellectual  improvement  and  preach- 
ing the  gospel  the  rest  of  my  life.  4.  I  will  never  contract  anoth- 
er debt  to  the  amount  of  a  shilling,  unless  I  become  so  straitened 
that  I  cannot  honestly  avoid  it.  This  I  will  do,  that,  as  u  minister 
of  Jesus  Christ,  I  may  be  free  and  not  be  entangled  in  the  affair's 
of  this  life.  5.  I  will  be  content  to  be  poor  for  Christ's  sake,  as 
long  as  I  live,  and  as  fast  as  I  get  any  thing,  and  I  can  honestly  de- 
vote it  to  advance  religion,  I  will  do  so.  The  glory  of  God  shall 
be  my  only  object  and  aim." 

He  made  repeated  but  unsuccessful  efforts  to  extricate  himself 
from  his  embarrassments.  Still  he  continued  to  meet  his  engage- 
ments till  about  the  middle  of  June.  In  the  mean  time  he  wrote  to 
]\Ir.  Burr  on  tliis  subject  as  follows : 

"  Rochester,  June  18, 1837. 

My  dear  brother, 

*  *  *  Disappointment  lu:3  succeeded  diappoint- 
ment,  and  one  misfortune  has  followed  another,  as  though  they 
'  loved  each  other's  steps,'  till  I  am  brought  into  deep  trials,  and 
causes,  unforeseen  by  mortal  eyes,  have  entangled  me  in  embar- 
rassments from  which  I  had  always  determined  to  keep  myself  free. 
I  never  entered  into  business  so  long  as  I  saw  any  possibility  of 
sustaining  the  mission  in  Rochester  by  any  other  course.  I  did  it 
in  the  fear  of  God,  and  with  as  much  conviction  of  duty  a^  I  ever 
appeared  before  an  assembly  to  address  them  on  the  concerns  of 
eternity.  Could  I  have  foreseen  the  [)resent  commercial  distress, 
I  should  have  left  Rochester,  when  the  Board  informed  me  that 
they  could  not  aid  me ;  or  had  I  not  been  so  unsuspecting  of  wick- 
edness in  those  with  whom  I  have  had  to  do,  I  might  have  escaped 
many  of  my  present  difficulties.  No,  my  brother,  whatever  may 
be  the  opinions  of  others,  or  the  fears  of  my  friends,  I  know,  and 
my  Heavenly  Father  knows,  that  I  have  not  been  worldly  minded. 
I  have  never  sought  for  this  w^orld,  and  in  the  arrangement  of  all 
my  temporal  affaii-s,  my  eye  has  been  single  to  God's  glory. 

You  are  doubtless  as  well  acquainted  with  the  pressure  of  the 
times  as  I  am.  In  this  city  it  is  dreadful.  The  most  wealthy  and 
responsible  have  failed  in  meeting  their  engagements,  and  several 


DAVID   MARKS. 


3G9 


have  had  their  notes  protested  at  the  bank.  The  suffering  among 
the  poor  in  this  city  is  dreadful.  Provisions  are  extremely  high, 
[flour  was  then  SIO  per  barrel,  and  potatoes  Sl,25  per  bushel,] 
and  all  business  has  nearly  ceased. 

I  am  now  settling  up  my  concerns.  I  expect  to  pay  my  debts, 
and  when  I  have  done  that,  I  do  not  expect  to  have  any  thing  left 
whatever.  Amidst  it  all,  I  feel  peace  of  conscience  and  calmness 
of  soul.  I  have  iiearly  all  my  life  been  acquainted  with  pri- 
vations. I  have  known  the  pangs  of  suffering  from  want,  and  yet, 
if  it  is  the  will  of  my  Heavenly  Father,  I  can  bid  poverty  a  cheer- 
ful welcome,  for  I  have  been  brought  to  this,  wliile  I  have  been 
walking  in  what  I  believed  to  be  the  path  of  duty,  though  I  will 
not  say  I  have  not  misjudged.  Until  recently,  I  have  hoped  to 
save  something,  but  I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  to  sell  every 
article  I  possess  to  pay  my  debts,  and  in  these  times  they  must  go 
much  below  their  value ;  but  I  must  be  released  from  worldly 
anxieties,  and  when  I  get  liberated  once  more,  I  think  it  will  be 
my  duty  to  remain  so.  The  cares  I  have  had  for  a  few  yeai*s  past, 
if  continued,  will  soon  carry  me  to  my  grave.  *  *  *  *  You 
wrote  about  my  taking  an  agency  for  the  New  Hampshire  Anti- 
Slavery  Society,  but  I  am  not  fit  for  any  agency.  All  the  ener- 
gies of  my  mind  have  been  so  long  on  the  stretch,  that  I  do  not 
think  that  I  should  be  useful  in  any  such  sphere.  I  do  not  know 
what  I  shall  do.  I  do  not  expect  to  be  able  to  travel  much,  as  for 
yeare  past,  the  exposures  consequent  on  travelling,  have  invariably 
brought  me  on  a  sick  bed.  I  have  felt  as  though  the  church  here 
must  not  go  down — ^but  for  a  season  past,  such  dark  clouds  have 
hung  over  my  prospects,  that  I  have  at  times  almost  despaired. 
Still  God  has  been  with  us  in  our  meetings,  and  of  late,  we  have 
frequently  had  tokens  of  mercy  and  interpositions  of  Providence, 
which  have  been  too  plain  to  be  misunderstood.  At  our  last  meet- 
ing, we  had  five  applications  for  membership,  which  have  been  re- 
ceived. Our  prospects  as  a  church  are  good,  if  a  preacher  could 
be  sustained.  We  are  well  united,  have  a  Bible  class,  and  a  Sab- 
bath school.  The  Home  Mission  Board  treat  me  with  much  af- 
fection and  kindness.  They  sympathize  with  me  in  my  afflictions, 
and  if  they  could,  would  gladly  relieve  me. 

As  a  nation,  I  know  not  what  is  before  us,  but  it  appears  to  me 
tiiat  days  of  greater  trouble  are  at  hand.  I  am  expecting  them.  God 
is  going  to  wean  his  children  from  the  world,  and  disappoint  their 
ambitious  schemes.  O,  my  brother,  may  we  be  prepai*ed  for  the 
day  of  trial.  May  we  labor  wholly  for  God,  and  fight  manfully  in 
the  day  of  battle.  I  long  to  see  you,  and  pour  out  my  whole  heart 
to  you,  but  if  we  never  more  meet  in  this  world,  I  trust  we  shall 
in  the  abodes  of  unsullied  purity,  where  the  gales  of  adversity 


'  -^N' 


■mm' 


ir--  (.1 


370 


MEMOIKS    OF 


cease  to  blow,  ftnd  '  tho  wicked  cease  from  tiwiblinjif.'  Remember 
me,  especially  in  your  prayers  to  Almighty  God.  There  is  rest  for 
the  weary  in  heaven,  blessed  be  God.     Farewell. 

Your  affectionate  brother,  David  Marks." 

In  the  latter  part  of  June,  Mr.  Marks  received  a  letter  from  a 
friend,  who  frankly  expressed  his  fear  that  an  eagerness  to  get  rich 
had  induced  him  to  enter  into  business,  and  had  brought  on  his 
misfortunes.  Some  extracts  from  his  reply  to  this  letter  are  given, 
as  illustrative  of  the  spirit  with  which  he  bore  the  censures  of 
friends,  and  received  reproofs  which  he  thought  wer*'  unmerited. 

"  I  thank  you  for  your  Christian  admonitions  and  your  kind  ad- 
vice. I  cannot  say  that  I  have  not  erroA  in  engaging  in  worldly 
business,  but  if  I  have,  it  has  been  through  mistaken  views  of  duty. 
It  Avas  not  inclination  that  led  me  to  it,  for  I  never  did  any  thing 
in  my  life,  that  was  so  contrary  to  my  feelings,  and  so  crossing  to 
my  disposition.  It  was  the  farthest  thing  possible  from  my  ambi- 
tion to  be  called  a  'man  of  business.'  *  •  *  Years  ago,  I 
gave  up  the  world,  and  consecrated  myself  and  every  thing  I  had 
to  God,  and  ever  since,  so  far  as  I  know,  I  have  acted  on  this  prin- 
ciple of  entire  consecration.  My  conscience  bears  me  witness,  that 
neither  love  of  ease,  wealth,  fame,  or  honor,  have  ever  since  actu- 
ated my  course.  All  the  value  I  have  set  on  property  has  been 
only  proportionate  to  the  ability  it  gives  its  possessor  to  extend  the 
influence  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  Aside  from  this,  I  have 
looked  upon  poverty  as  the  happiest  state.  Neither  have  I  thought 
that  a  Christian,  in  this  day  of  benevolent  enteri)ri8e,  is  excusable 
in  retaining  any  more  property  in  his  hands  than  a  bare  compe- 
tence, except  in  such  cases,  as  he  has  evidence  that  he  can  best  glo- 
rify God  in  80  doing.  As  for  myself,  I  have  had  to  provide  lor  a 
sickly  sister,  in  obedience  to  my  mother's  dying  injunction.  My 
aged  fiither  is  very  infirm  and  in  extreme  poverty,  and  as  he  gave 
six  years  of  my  time  (from  the  age  of  fifteen  to  twenty-one)  to  the 
church,  I  have  thought  that  filial  claims  required  me  to  assist  him. 
Considering  my  duty  as  connected  with  these  circumstances,  I  have 
thought  that  I  should  be  more  free  from  care,  and  in  a  situation  for 
greater  usefulness,  by  retaining  in  my  hands  a  part  of  the  goods 
committed  to  my  charge.  "When  I  returned  here  from  N.  England, 
as  I  was  nearly  worn  out  with  cares,  anxieties,  and  responsibili- 
ties, I  thought  it  would  bo  right  for  me  to  retire  to  some  obscure 
corner,  where  I  could  enjoy  quiet  and  retirement,  and  still  devote 
what  remained  of  my  shattered  faculties  to  the  cause  of  God.  I 
had  selected,  in  my  own  mind,  the  London  quarterly  meeting  in 
Upper  Canada,  as  the  place  of  my  comparative  seclusion,  and  it 
was  with  inexpressible  delight  that  I  was  anticipating  the  sweets  of 


"  i: 


DAVID   MARKS. 


871 


a 


his 


e  goods 


rest.  But  my  brethren  in  this  yearly  meeting  insisted  thnt  I  siliould 
come  to  Rochester.  They  spread  out  before  me  tlie  necessity  of 
our  having  a  church  in  this  city  and  promised  to  sustain  me.  It 
was  very  crossing  to  give  up  my  scheme  of  rest,  but  as  I  had  not 
for  years  dared  to  confer  with  flesh  and  blood,  where  the  a<lvance- 
ment  of  the  cause  was  concerned,  and  viewing  myself  a  serNant  of 
the  church,  I  finally  consented,  thinking  at  the  same  time  that  if  I 
liad  no  care  for  my  own  support,  I  should  be  freer  than  I  had  ever 
before  been  since  I  commenced  preaching  the  gospel.  80  1  went 
to  Rochester."     ♦*•»«* 

Mr.  Marks  again  made  a  brief  entry  in  his  journal,  as  follows : 
"  July  3,  1837,  I  have  been  exceedingly  embarrassed  in  worldly 
affairs,  and  for  the  first  time  have  been  unable  to  pay  my  debts, 
though  in  fifteen  years  I  have  contracted  debts  to  tho  amount  of 
$30,000,  and  never  to  this  time  have  I  had  a  note  protested,  nor 
have  I  suffered  any  note  to  become  due,  without  previously  obtain- 
ing an  extension,  except  in  two  instances  of  forgetting  small  siims. 
1  had  ever  considered  it  immoral  to  fail  in  the  least  engagement ; 
and  finduig  myself  thus  circumstanced,  on  the  l.'ith  of  June,  I  met 
a  council  which  I  had  previously  requested,  consisting  of  the  exec- 
utive committee  of  the  New  York  Home  Mission  Society,  and  sev- 
enil  ministers  and  brethren  in  the  Monroe  quarterly  meeting.  I 
gave  a  full  disclosure,  in  writing,  to  this  council  of  all  my  financial 
concerns,  and  plans  to  pay  my  debts.  In  view  of  the  existing 
commercial  embaiTassments,  they  unanimously  advised  me  to  make 
an  assignment  of  my  property  for  the  benefit  of  my  creditors,  I 
concluded  to  take  their  advice,  and,  June  23, 1  made  an  assignment 
to  Messrs.  Hoyt  and  Porter,  Christian  gentlemen  of  high  standing 
and  integrity  of  character,  with  whom  I  had  had  much  business  in 
the  book  line.  I  gave  up  all,  not  reserving  a  single  dollar's  worth 
of  household  furniture,  or  of  any  thing  whatever,  not  excepting  any 
of  the  articles  given  Mrs.  Marks  by  her  parents,  nor  any  of  the 
books  or  presents  we  had  received  from  friends,  nor  a  piece  of  land 
[five  acres]  the  use  of  which  I  had  given  to  my  poor  aged  father 
in  the  infirmities  of  declining  life.  I  wept  about  nothing  of  an 
earthly  nature  except  this  latter  circumstance  and  my  library, 
which  had  been  gathered  with  much  care,  and  had  cost  me  about 
seven  hundred  dollars.  By  this  failure,  I  lost  about  four  thousand 
dollars,  which  had  come  to  me  by  school  teaching,  publishing  books, 
the  rise  in  the  value  of  my  little  home  in  Canandaigua,  and  by  my 
wife. 

But  I  do  not  mourn  this  loss  so  much  on  my  own  account.  T  have 
no  anxiety  for  my  life,  what  I  shall  eat,  what  I  shall  drink,  or 
wherewithal  I  shall  be  clothed.  But  I  most  deplore  the  occasion 
which  my  failure  may  give  to  the  enemies  o^  (Jod,  to  injure  the 


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MEMOIRS   OF 


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cause  of  religion.  I  have  ever  felt  since  I  commenced  preaching, 
that  I  would  rather  be  burned  at  the  stake,  than  do  any  thing  to 
hinder  the  success  of  the  gospel.  This  reflection  has  sometimes  so 
distressed  me,  as  to  make  me  sick,  and  at  other  times,  my  agony 
has  been  such,  that  had  it  not  been  for  the  consciousness  of  the  in- 
tegrity of  heart  in  which  I  have  walked  before  God,  I  fear  that 
reason  would  have  tottered  from  her  throne.  As  Messrs.  Hoyt 
and  Porter  wish  me  to  act  as  their  agent  in  settling  up  my  affairs, 
I  hope,  through  the  blessing  of  God,  to  be  able  to  discharge  all 
my  obligations  honorably,  though  to  do  it  I  shall  be  subjected  for  a 
time  to  worldly  cares  which  are  a  burden  to  my  soul.  When  I 
found  I  could  hold  out  no  longer,  I  thought  it  would  be  wisdom  to 
call  the  members  of  the  church  together,  that  they  might  all  take 
letters,  and  then  disband.  T  went  to  meeting  on  the  following  Sab- 
bath, thinking  of  this  course,  and  laboring  under  the  most  discour- 
aging feelings,  when,  to  my  surprise,  we  had  five  applications  for 
church  membership.  I  felt  my  heart  filled  with  thankfulness,  and 
it  seemed  as  though  I  was  standing  still  to  see  the  salvation  of 
God.  I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  it  is  my  duty  to  do  all  I 
can,  while  I  remain  here,  to  keep  the  church  together,  maintain  its 
discipline,  and  trust  in  God  to  send  them  a  shepherd  when  I  leave. 

July  4,  I  left  Kochester,  and  during  five  days  following,  preached 
twice  in  Gorham,  once  in  Jerusalem,  and  twice  in  Potter  at  the 
Yates  quarterly  meeting,  [formerly  called  Benton,]  where  I  re- 
ceived much  kindness,  and  felt  greatly  comforted  by  the  sympa- 
thies of  my  brethren.  Sabbath,  July  9,  I  enjoyed  a  precious  day 
with  the  church  in  Rochester,  and  baptized  two,  who  were  added  to 
our  number." 

Mr.  Marks  continued  his  labors  with  the  church  in  Rochester 
till  June,  1838.  In  addition  to  his  usual  Sabbath  duties,  he  preached 
a  sermon  early  in  the  morning  to  the  prisoners  in  the  jail.  During 
the  rest  of  the  week,  notwithstanding  his  cares,  he  usually  spent  a 
portion  of  each  day  in  religious  study  or  religious  visits.  In  Janu- 
ary and  February,  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  considerable 
interest  manifested  in  his  meetings,  and  several  conversions.  He 
was  frequently  told  by  members  of  other  churches,  that  individuals, 
at  different  times,  had  been  received  into  their  communion,  who,  in 
the  relation  of  their  religious  experience,  dated  their  awakening 
under  his  preaching.  It  was  a  gi*eat  comfort  to  him  that  souls 
were  converted  through  his  instrumentality,  although  he  was  not 
permitted  to  gather  the  fruits. 

In  the  mean  time,  he  was  very  diligent  in  settling  his  affairs,  but 
on  account  of  the  unprecedented  scarcity  of  money,  he  had  to  sell 
almost  every  thing  at  a  great  sacrifice.  His  Canandaigua  proper- 
ty, which,  in  the  exchange  he  made,  was  valued  f  "^^  $2100,  only 


^ 


the 


DAVID   MARKS. 


373 


I 


brought  him  $355.  He  began  to  fear  what  he  had  little  anticipa- 
ted, that  he  should  be  left  in  debt,  after  he  had  disposed  of  every 
article.  This  fear  was  subsequently  realized,  and  he  finally  found 
himself  in  debt  at  least  one  thousand  or  twelve  hundred  dollars 
more  than  his  means  would  pay.  Painful  as  was  this  circumstance, 
lie  did  not  sink  under  it,  nor  feel  that  he  was  absolved  from  his  ob- 
ligations to  fulfill  his  engagements,  because  he  had  given  up  all  he 
possessed.  He  told  his  creditors,  that  if  he  lived,  they  might  ex- 
pect their  pay.  They  generally  manifested  much  sympathy  lor 
him,  and  expressed  their  confidence  that  he  had  done  as  well  as  he 
could  in  those  troublous  times,  and  in  circumstances  over  which  he 
had  no  control.  They  told  him  not  to  deprive  himself  and  family 
of  necessary  comforts  in  order  to  pay  them.  Many  that  were  ac- 
quainted with  facts,  spoke  in  admiration  of  his  course.  One  gen- 
tleman in  the  city  of  high  standing,  who  was  a  non-professor,  said, 
"  Elder  Marks  is  the  noblest  work  of  God,  for  he  is  an  honest  man." 
These  circumstances  greatly  soothed  his  spirit,  and  afforded  him 
unspeakable  consolation ;  and  he  felt  deeply  grateful  that  confidence 
in  his  integrity  was  not  lost.  It  was  also  with  him  a  matter  of 
great  thanksgiving,  that  none  of  his  creditors  were  much  distressed 
by  his  failure.  The  following  testimony  to  the  uprightness  of  his 
conduct  in  these  days  of  trial,  was  received  from  his  assignees  a  few 
weeks  after  his  death. 


"  Rochester,  Feb.  14,  184)6. 


Mrs.  Marks. 

*        * 


Dear  Madam, 


AVe  take  this  occasion  to  express 
our  sympathy  with  you  in  the  bereavement  you  have  experienced 
in  the  loss  of  your  excellent  husband.  And  not  only  for  your  sake, 
but  for  society  do  we  mourn  in  the  loss  of  a  good  man  and  devout 
Christian.  He  was  truly  an  upright  man.  We  knew  him  under 
circumstances  of  temptation  and  trial,  and  found  him  a  true  man  to 
the  last  penny.         *        *         *  Samuei,  D.  Porter, 

David  Hoyt." 

In  these  dark  days,  Mr.  Marks  often  had  his  spirits  cheered 

with  consolatory  letters  from  his  Christian  friends,  similar  to  the 
following. 

•  «  Greenville,  R.  I.  Oct.  5,  1837. 

My  Dear  Brother  Marks, 
*  *  *  *  It  is  probably  unnecessary  for  me  to 
attempt  to  console  you,  as  I  doubt  not  that  the  consolations  of  the 
religion  you  have  so  long  and  so  successfully  preached  to  others  are 
afforded  you  in  this  time  of  distress.  My  dear  brother  and  sister 
are  surely  not  among  those  with  whom  the  consolations  of  God  aie 
32 


■'•'^j 


11 


(.  if* 


■S  V* 


,;ii* 


374 


MEMOIRS    OF 


small.  Those  sermons,  exhortations,  and  prayers,  that  have  ?o  of- 
ten afforded  comfort  to  hundreds  of  God's  poor  and  afflicted  people, 
owed  much  of  their  efficiency  to  the  rich  experience  you  have  had 
of  the  abundant  sources  of  comfort  that  the  gospel  opens  to  the  dis- 
consolate. Philosophy,  unaided  by  religion,  coolly  tells  us  to  sub- 
mit to  misfortunes  because  we  cannot  avoid  them.  The  religion  of 
Jesus  Christ  does  not  leave  us  to  this  cold  comfort,  if  comfort  it 
deserves  to  be  called.  No.  It  tells  us  a  Father's  liand  is  concern- 
ed in  all  our  afflictions,  that  they  shall  work  together  for  good  to 
those  that  love  God.  My  dear  brother  and  sister  have  not  lost 
their  all,  although  misfortune  has  deprived  them  of  choice  earthly 
blessings.  No.  Their  rich  treasure  in  heaven,  infinitely  more 
valuable  than  all  earthly  possessions,  remains  secure  and  uninjured. 
O  blessed  thought,  soon  you  will  enjoy  that  treasure.  *  *  *  * 
Your  sympathizing  brother,  Elias  IIutciiins." 

In  the  fall  of  1837,  Mr.  Marks  made  the  following  entries  in  his 
journal. 

"  Saturday,  October  28.  This  city  during  the  present  week 
has  been  the  theatre  of  intense  excitement,  consequent  upon  one  of 
the  most  deliberate,  bold,  and  daring  assassinations  that  has  ever 
stained  our  land,  the  first  murder  ever  known  to  have  been  com- 
mitted in  the  countj  of  Monroe.  Wm.  Lyman,  a  most  estimable 
citizen  and  a  devoted  Christian,  a  husband  and  a  father,  was  shot 
in  our  city  last  Monday  night,  a  little  past  9  o'clock,  near  his  own 
door.  I  have  been  to  see  his  bereaved  widow.  Poor  woman  !  the 
agony  of  her  mind  for  a  time  almost  made  her  frantic.  The  ex- 
amination of  Octavius  Baron,  (a  Frenchman  and  a  Catholic,  only 
eighteen  years  of  age,)  has  occupied  the  whole  of  the  week,  and  has 
resulted  in  his  commitment  to  prison  for  trial.  During  the  examina- 
tion he  manifested  the  coldest  indifference  till  toward  the  last,  when 
he  betrayed  some  emotions.  I  accompanied  him  to  his  cell,  which  he 
entered  with  seeming  indifference.  I  inquired  of  him  his  feelings. 
He  replied  that  he  felt  as  though  others  equally  guilty  were  about 
to  escape.  I  exhorted  him  to  speedy  repentance  and  to  seek  the 
mercy  of  God,  when  his  eyes  became  suffused  with  tears,  and 
showed  that  he  had  at  least  07ie  spark  of  feeling.  But  it  is  dread- 
ful to  think  of  a  youth  only  eighteen  years  of  age  so  hardened  in 
crime. 

Nov.  4.  Thirty  two  years  of  my  vain  life  are  this  day  numbered. 
Nearly  seventeen  of  these  have  been  spent  in  the  ministry.  But, 
alas  !  how  unprofitable  they  have  been  !  O  precious  and  compas- 
sionate Savior,  forgive  thy  poor  unworthy  servant  all  the  sins  of  his 
past  life,  the  sin  of  impatience — the  sin  of  vain  thoughts — the  sin 
of  dogmatism,  and  do  thou  give  him  grace,  and  wisdom,  and  perse- 


DAVID    MARKS. 


375 


■  I 


i*e(l. 


the 


verance,  ■which  shall  enable  him  to  act  in  all  things  a;^  the  image, 
and  liiveness,  and  representative  of  the  great,  the  everlasting  God. 
0  do  thou,  blessed  Redeemer,  aid  thy  servant,  that  he  may  from 
this  time  discipline  his  own  heart  and  conduct  agreeably  to  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  and  his  future  years  be  abundantly  useful. 
Amen. 

Sabbath,  Dec.  10,  I  preached  three  times,  attended  a  prayer 
meeting,  Bible  class,  and  Sabbath  school.  Two  were  added  to  our 
number,  one  of  whom  I  baptized. 

Dec.  29 — 31,  I  attended  the  Monroe  quarterly  meeting  at  Ken- 
dall, having  walked  twenty  seven  miles.  It  was  a  i)recious  season. 
Eighteen  kneeled  for  prayer,  and  one  was  hopefully  converted. 
Brethren  were  very  kind,  and  gave  me  several  dollars ;  and  one 
brother  carried  me  home.  Much  excitement  has  been  prevailing 
in  Rochester,  as  well  as  in  many  other  places,  on  account  of  an  in- 
surrection in  Canada.  It  is  feared  that  a  bloody  civil  war  will  be 
the  result,  and  that  the  United  States  will  be  involved  in  it." 

May  27 — June  7,  Mr.  Marks  spent  mostly  in  attendance  at  the 
trial  of  Octavius  Baron.  The  evidence  against  the  prisoner  was 
conclusive,  the  jury  brought  in  the  verdict  of  guilty,  and  he  was 
sentenced  to  be  hung  the  25th  of  the  ensuing  July.  Through  the 
whole  trial,  he  seemed  the  most  indifferent  of  any  present,  and  often, 
during  the  adjournments  of  the  court,  danced  in  his  chains.  The 
agony  of  his  parents,  sister,  and  the  miserable  victim  of  his  licen- 
tiousness, whom  he  said  he  had  married,  seemed  intense.  At  the 
time  appointed,  he  suffered  the  execution  of  the  sentence  pro- 
nounced upon  him,  manifesting  to  the  last  the  same  hardness  of 
heart.  As  he  was  about  to  be  launched  into  eternity,  he  grasped 
a  crucifix,  which  it  was  said  he  held  till  death  had  done  its  work. 

Mr.  Marks  closed  his  labors  in  Rochester  in  June,  1838.  The 
following  in  relation  to  this  circumstance,  with  some  other  incidents, 
is  copied  from  his  correspondence  in  the  Morning  Star. 

"  Having  been  informed  that  my  brethren  in  Ohio  were  expect- 
ing me  to  visit  them,  I  would  say  to  them,  through  the  Star,  that  I 
have  long  desired  to  see  them  once  more  in  the  flesh,  and  that  for 
months  previous  to  my  leaving  Rochester,  I  had  much  conflict  of 
mind  in  deciding  whether  it  was  my  duty  to  continue  my  labors  in 
the  city  or  comply  with  their  kind  and  often  repeated  requests. 
Severe  and  laborious  had  been  my  toils  in  Rochester,  and  the  pain 
of  soul  it  caused  me  to  think  of  abandoning  the  fruits  of  those  toils, 
was  such  as  I  had  never  before  known,  and  I  concluded  it  was  my 
duty  to  remain  as  long  as  I  could  obtain  the  bare  necessities  of  life. 
Since  the  organization  of  the  church,  between  sixty  and  seventy 
had  united  with  it,  but  in  consequence  of  the  pressure  and  the  sus- 
pension of  business  following  it,  several  had  been  obliged  to  leave 


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the  city.  My  health  had  so  declined  the  past  winter,  that  consid- 
erable of  the  time  I  was  unable  to  preach.  For  many  months  I 
had  depended  on  my  own  efforts  for  my  support,  but  this  resource 
was  now  cut  off.  My  companion  engaged  in  teacliing  till  her  health 
was  so  poor,  that  in  the  spring  she  was  obliged  to  relinquish  it. 
Tlie  door  seemed  now  effectually  closed  against  continuing  my  stay 
in  Rochester,  and  I  now  felt  that  if  the  church  lost  its  visibility  my 
garments  were  clear.  Its  members  had  known  something  of  the 
trials  of  my  situation,  and  had  often  extended  to  me  the  balm  of 
their  sympathy,  the  only  relief  they  were  able  to  afford.  When  I 
communicated  to  them  my  decision,  they  acquiesced  with  tearful 
eyes,  saying,  that  in  my  present  destitution,  it  would  bo  cruelty  to 
urge  my  longer  stay ;  but  they  knew  not  what  to  do.  They  had 
looked  to  other  churches,  and  their  home  was  nowhere  else.  They 
finally  agreed  to  sustain  the  visibility  of  the  church,  and  to  support 
two  prayer  meetings  weekly,  in  the  hope  that  soon  aid  would  be 
granted  them  from  some  quarter. 

In  the  month  of  May,  I  had  a  violent  attack  of  jaundice,  which 
some  of  the  time  confined  me  to  my  bed.  My  skin  became  about 
as  dark  as  that  of  a  mulatto,  and  my  friends  were  apprehensive  that 
my  disease  would  terminate  fatally.  Its  violent  symptoms,  howev- 
er, finally  yielded  to  active  medical  treatment,  so  that  on  the  loth 
of  June,  we  left  Rochester,  and  went  to  Byron,  where  the  Holland 
Purchase  yearly  meeting  was  in  session.  I  then  proposed  going  to 
Canada,  and  immediately  after  my  return,  to  the  state  of  Ohio. 
But  my  brethren  so  strenuously  and  earnestly  protested  against  my 
intended  course,  and  seemed  so  anxious  for  me  to  labor  as  an  evr.n- 
gelist  among  the  churches  of  western  New  York,  that  I  partly 
consented  to  delay  my  visit  to  Ohio  till  another  season.  My  health 
was  such  that  I  could  preach  little,  and  my  labors  could  probably 
be  of  very  little  use  any  where.  The  nervous  irritability  of  my 
system  subjected  me  at  intervals  to  much  mental  prostration,  and 
occasionally  to  depression  of  spirits. 

From  Byron  we  took  the  canal  to  Royalton  on  our  way  to  Can- 
ada. Here  again  I  was  confined  by  sickness  two  weeks.  A  phy- 
sician, whom  I  consulted,  reiterated  the  often  repeated  advice  of 
former  physicians,  that  if  I  ever  intended  to  recover,  I  must  lay 
aside  all  mental  labor,  such  as  reading,  writing,  preaching,  &c., 
avoid  all  conversation  that  would  require  any  effort  of  mind,  and  at 
the  same  time  take  as  much  bodily  exercise  as  my  strength  would 
permit.  As  this  course  would  for  the  present  deprive  me  of  all 
prospect  of  usefulness  to  the  church,  the  thoughts  of  it  were  painful 
to  my  feehngs,  but  being  convinced  that  the  continuance  of  my  life 
depended  upon  it,  I  commenced  faithfully  following  his  directions. 
I  grew  better,  but  not  daring  to  proceed  on  my  journey,  I  conclu- 


DAVID    MAKK3. 


377 


(led  to  spond  a  few  days  in  Boston,  Erie  Co.  Leaving  Royalton 
for  this  purpose,  on  the  4th  of  July,  I  could  not  well  resist  the 
temptation  to  stop  at  the  New  York  State  Anti-Slavery  conven- 
tion, which  w^as  that  day  to  commence  its  sitting  in  the  Methodist 
chapel  in  Lockport.  Here,  a  little  more  than  two  years  ago,  a  pri- 
vate lecturer  was  mobbed  for  advocating  the  abolition  of  slavery. 
Now  not  even  the  faintest  whisper,  '  I  fear  there  will  be  a  mob,' 
was  heard.  It  was  to  me  a  gratifying  circumstance  that  the  con- 
vention was  in  a  Methodist  chapel,  as  the  influence  of  so  many  in 
this  denomination  was  on  the  side  of  the  oppressor.  O,  thought 
I,  could  the  illustrious  Wesley  arise  from  the  dead,  and  speak  to 
his  American  brethren,  how  would  he  show  them  their  sins,  while, 
as  in  the  days  of  his  flesh,  he  would  thunder  peal  after  peal  on  the 
conscience  of  the  slaveholder,  and  cry  aloud  in  his  ears,  '  Render 
unto  all  their  dues.  *  *  Escape  for  your  life  !  Kegard  not  money ! 
Whataver  you  lose,  lose  not  your  soul !  Immediately  quit  this 
horrid  trade  !  Instantly  deliver  yourselves  from  blood-guiltiness ! 
Your  hands,  your  bed,  your  furniture,  your  house,  your  lands  are 
stained  with  blood.  Surely  it  is  enough.  Accumulate  no  more 
guilt!' 

Some  distinguished  abolitionists  were  present.  One  of  the  num- 
ber was  Henry  B.  Stanton.  He  spoke  on  a  resolution,  saying  that 
the  declaration  of  independence  breathes  the  very  spirit  and  princi- 
ples of  abolitionists.  While  commenting  on  the  declaration,  he  came 
to  the  clause, '  But  when  a  long  train  of  abuses  and  usurpations,  pur- 
suing invariably  the  same  object,  evinces  a  design  to  reduce  them 
to  absolute  despotism,  it  is  their  right,  it  is  their  dlty,  to  throw  oflF 
such  government,'  he  said  the  resolution  was  not  correct.  That 
clause  in  the  constitution  allowed  war.  It  was  revolutionary.  But 
it  was  the  doctrine  of  the  declaration,  not  of  abolitionists.  They 
were  engaged  in  a  moral  conflict,  a  war  of  principles.  No  blood- 
stained banner  waved  over  their  heads.  No  widow's  groans,  no 
orphan's  tears,  no  garments  rolled  in  blood,  marked  their  path.  In  a. 
manner  entirely  his  own,  he  alluded  to  the  persecuted  abolitionists,, 
the  mobs  at  Boston  and  New  York,  the  burning  of  Liberty  Tem- 
ple in  Philadelphia,  the  grave  and  future  glory  of  Lovejoy,  and 
closed  his  remarks  in  a  burst  of  powerful  and  impassioned  elo- 
quence. The  assembly  seemed  electrified.  An  amendment  was 
immediately  proposed,  which  passed  unanimously,  cutting  off  the 
approval  of  that  part  of  the  declaration,  which  declared  it  to  be  the 
right  and  duty  of  the  oppressed,  to  throw  off  their  yoke. 

Leaving  Lockport,  we  went  to  Buffalo,  and  thence  to  Boston, 

where  my  good  friend.  Deacon  Truman  Carey,  gave  us  a  very 

hearty  and  affectionate  welcome,  and  told  us  to  make  his  house  our 

home  as  long  as  we  pleased.    I  remained  here  three  weeks,  follow- 

32* 


H 


,fV 


i 


..  t 


; 


^:^ 


r- 


«'«>»  1 


.«.      f;::      , 


ii---'l 


^  1 


r5»  >-    \      il 


378 


JlEMOmS    OF 


ing  tlic  prescriptions  of  the  i)liy3ician,  exc'oi)ting  that  I  preached  on 
the  Sabbath,  and  ^v•roto  to  some  correspondents." 

The  following  is  taken  from  a  copy  of  one  of  the  letters  written 
during  this  jjcriod,  to  JNIr.  Phillips,  missionary  in  India,  from  whom 
intelligence  had  been  received  that  his  wife  (fonnerly  ]Mrs.  Ueede) 
had  entered  upon  etemal  scenes. 

"Boston,  N.  Y.  July  19,  1838. 
My  dear  brother, 

*         *  *         In  April  last,  on  taking  a  copy  of  the  Star 

from  the  P.  O.  at  Rochester,  I  read  that  for  which  1  was  not  pre- 
pared— the  death  of  dear  sister  Phillips  !     For  a  while,  I  could  not 
realize  it,  but  as  the  truth  of  the  painful  intelligence  rushed  upon 
me,  I  was  quite  overcome,  and  could  not  refrain  from  weeping 
aloud.     AVhen  I  met  my  dear  companion,  I  was  reminded  of  your 
bereavement  and  solitary  situation  in  a  land  of  heathen  strangers, 
while  I  was  blessed  with  the  wife  of  my  youtli  in  a  land  of  friends. 
Then  we  fell  on  each  other's  necks,  and  sobbed  for  a  long  time. 
Our  sorrow  w  as  not  altogether  for  dear  Mary,  Avho,  we  doubted 
not,  was  enjoying  sweet  rest  beyond  the  toils,  and  pains,  and  sor- 
rows of  life,  but  for  our  dear  brother  Phillips.     "We  supposed  that 
the  heart-rending  tidings  of  the  death  of  both  your  parents  had  al- 
ready reached  you,  and  even  then  was  weighing  down  your  spirits. 
Since  very  remarkable  bereavements  had  already  become  your  lot, 
we  were  not  looking  for  one  still  more  heavy  and  cutting  than  all 
the  rest.     My  dear  companion,  who  you  know  was  much  attached 
to  your  Mary,  read  the  short  painful  notice  in  the  Star.     Like  the 
friends  of  Job,  we  sat  a  long  time  in  silence,  then  we  kneeled  and 
poured  out  our  supplications  to  high  Heaven  in  your  behalf.     We 
were  cheered,  however,  by  the  reflection  that  you  mourn  not  as 
those  who  mourn  without  hope,  and  that  religion  can  assuage  the 
sorrows  of  the  soul.     Yes,  my  dear  brother,  a  firm  trust  in  the 
Lord  can  fortify  us  against  those  bereavements  which  are  more 
painful  than  erven  death  itself.     The  reflection  that  the  time  we 
have  on  earth  is  very  short,  and  that  the  tender  ties  which  bind  us 
to  our  families  and  friends,  were  only  formed  to  be  dissolved  at  the 
touch  of  death,  should  reconcile  us  to  look  upon  our  friends  as  but 
lent  favors,  not  to  be  retained  always,  but  only  during  the  pleasure 
of  the  loaner.     Hence  we  should  look  at  death  until  we  become  ac- 
quainted with  its  worst  features,  comprehend  its  power,  and  are 
prepared  to  resign  ourselves,  or  our  dearest  friends,  to  its  iron 
grasp. 

It  was  once  my  lot  to  comfort  and  beguile  your  Mary  of  her 
tears,  when  her  dear  Beede  was  laid  in  the  grave,  and  I  had  hoped 
wliile  she  was  in  India  that  I  should  have  the  privilege  of  attempt- 


DAVID  MARKS. 


379 


on 


ing  to  conifoi't  licr  in  Iwr  labors.  I  recount  tlic  time  since  we 
partcil,  and  am  astonished  at  the  swiflness  with  which  more  than 
throe  years  have  passed  away.  I  cannot  refrain  from  tears,  when 
I  think  liow  httle  time  1  have  had  to  hol(,l  communion  with  you 
across  tlie  p;reat  watery  vastc  that  separates  us.  l>ut,  however 
neglectful  of  my  duty  you  may  judge  me  to  have  been,  I  acknowl- 
edge with  gi'atitude  that  you,  and  indeed  all  my  missionary  friends, 
have  been  faithful  and  kind  to  me  in  this  respect,  for  myself  luid 
wife  have  received,  in  all,  Urn  letters  from  India.  "VVc  have  felt  a 
deeper  mterest  in  these  communications  than  in  any  others  we  ever 
received,  and  after  forwarding  interesting  extracts  for  publication 
in  the  Morning  Star,  we  have  tiled  them  among  our  choicest  papers. 
One  of  the  si'bjects  on  which  you  dwelt  in  your  first  letter  is  the 
wretched  and  heart-sickening  appearance  of  the  heathen  of  Ilin- 
doostan.  Doubtless  the  first  eight  of  them  made  an  impression  on 
your  mind,  of  which  we  can  form  a  very  faint  idea,  lint  though 
we  have  not  seen  what  you  have,  yet  from  the  Scriptures  we  have 
a  frightful  picture  of  the  sad  and  wretched  condition  of  those  who 
'  hasten  after  other  gods.*  For  years,  I  have  been  fully  convinced, 
that  neither  science  uor  civilization,  equal  rights  or  much  temporal 
happiness,  can  be  secured  to  men  without  the  aid  of  religion — the 
pure  religion  of  the  blessed  Bible.  And  it  is  equally  certain,  that 
the  blessed  God  has  not  proposed  to  send  men  the  gospel  by  any 
miraculous  power  ;  but  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  church, 
and  by  their  using  the  ordinary  means  which  God  has  put  into 
their  hands.  Hence,  our  dear  Savior  forbade  that  state  of  mind 
which  is  always  prompting  us  to  seek  a  sign  from  heaven,  when  in 
fact  the  word  of  God  is  nigh  us,  and  is  sufficiently  plain  and  con- 
clusive to  ensure  our  faith,  if  we  will  take  the  trouble  to  search 
faithfully  for  truth.  I  have  seen  the  time  when  I  anxiously  sought 
for  signs  and  wonders.  I  thank  God  that  I  have  been  perfectly 
cured  of  such  desires,  by  the  consideration  that  He  who  made  man 
and  perfectly  understood  his  nature,  and  what  will  influence  him 
best,  has  granted  miracles  very  sparinglv  and  only  on  the  most 
important  occasions,  such  as  establishing  V  ^livinity  of  certain  dis- 
pensations, &c.  Doubtless  the  reason  is,  at  miracles,  repeated 
frequently,  would  become  so  common  as  to  lose  their  influence. 
Hence,  God  has  not  made  it  the  oy^der  of  his  government  to  depart 
from  the  laws  of  nature,  to  advance  his  cause  for  the  time  being,  at 
the  expense  of  future  generations.  Although  his  mode  of  govern- 
ment imposes  upon  all  men,  and  especially  upon  Christians  and 
ministers,  much  study  and  labor  in  making  examination  of  the 
records  and  evidences  of  divine  truth,  yet  it  exhibits  an  amount  of 
wisdom  sufficient  to  astonish  even  the  angels  of  heaven.  *  *  * 
Your  affectionate  brother  in  Christ,    '     D.  Marks." 


« 


•?  1'   •'  \i 


1  [ 


■Mi 


,',    i'      ■ ,     !' 


,5;j;'?j. 


080 


MEMOIRS    OF 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 


Parllciilitrs  of  Mr.  Marks'  Travels  and  Labors,  mostly  in  Xcw 
York,  from  Jnhj,  1808,  to  April,  18 10. 

Tho  following  is  copiod  from  Mr.  Marks'  correspondence  in  (he 
Morning  Star: 

"About  the  last  of  July,  my  Injalth  having  considerably  improv- 
ed, we  resumed  our  journey  to  Canada,  crossed  the  Niagara  at 
Black  Hock,  and  as  wc  proceeded  down  the  river,  passed  several 
houses  that  had  been  perforated  with  balls  during  the  late  insurrec- 
tion.    At  the  Falls,  we  found  an  encampment  of  eight  hundred 
soldiers,  who  were  marched  from  New  Brunswick  during  the  last 
winter,  to  aid  in  quelling.the  rebellion.     AVe  were  permitted  to  vis- 
it any  part  of  the  army's  camp.     Their  tents  were  large  and  neat, 
and  the  officers  and  soldiers  were  very  civil.     They  told  us  heart- 
rending stories  of  their  privations  and  sufferings  in  marching,  dur- 
ing the  severity  of  last  winter,  through  the  deep  unbroken  snows  of 
the  wilderness,  where  they  came  near  perisliing.     Alas !  the  mis- 
eries of  war  are  indeed  untold  !     We  pursued  our  way  to  Zorra, 
found  the  country  in  a  quiet  state,   and  were  treated  with  much 
hospitality  and  kindness.     In  August,  I  visited  the  churches  in  the 
London  quarterly  meeting,  and  found  their  state  to  be  just  what 
might  be  expected,  after  so  much  of  the  blighting  spirit  of  war  had 
swept  over  the  land.     Several  of  the  brethren  had  removed  to  the 
United  States,  and  others  were  preparing  to  follow.     A  council  had 
been  appointed  to  meet  in  Southwold,  the  second  of  July,  to  ordain 
two  brethren  to  the  work  of  the  ministry ;   but  on  the  first  day  of 
the  month,  the  whole  province  was  thrown  into  commotion,  by  a 
rumor  that  many  thousands  of  the  inhabitants  were  secretly  organ- 
ized with  abundance  of  arms  and  ammunition,  and  would  be  joined 
by  men  from  the  United  States  to  take  the  province  on  the  fourth 
of  the  month.     This  occasioned  the  calling  out  of  the  militia,  tho 
fencing  up  of  roads  and  bridges,  and  the  stopping  of  travellers,  so 
that  the  council  did  not  assemble.     I  was  now  requested  to  meet 
with  them.     I  did  so,  and  we  had  a  very  interesting  season.     Both 
of  the  brethren  that  Avere  ordained,  appeared  to  be  ministers  of 
promise.     In  September,  we  returned  to  Boston,  N.  Y.,  where  we 
arrived  after  an  absence  of  six  weeks,  thankful  to  our  Heavenly 
Father  for  our  preservation,  and  for  the  rich  blessing  of  improved 
health." 

Mr.  Marks,  with  much  joy,  now  resumed  his  labors  as  an  evan- 
gelist in  the  Holland  Purchase  yearly  meeting.  He  had  also  con- 
sented to  take  an  assistant  general  agency  for  the  Book  Concern, 


DAVID    MARKS. 


381 


among  (he  western  churches.  Sept.  22  and  23,  he  nttemktl  the 
ChataiKiue  qu{U't(!rl''  meeting  in  Arkwright.  Several  were  awaken- 
ed, and  one  protusoed  to  be  eoiivertcd.  During  the  rcmalndtr  of 
the  month,  he  preacdied  in  Cherry  Creek,  Elhngton,  ColHns,  and 
Springville.  In  the  early  j>art  of  October,  he  labored  .S('\<'ral 
days  in  China,  geneially  preaching  twice  daily,  besides  holding 
prayer  and  inquiry  metting?;,  and  spending  two  or  three  hours  in 
active  manual  labor.  The  blessing  of  God  attended  the  preaching 
of  his  truth,  the  church  was  revived,  many  of  the  impenitent  were 
awakened,  and  about  twenty  i)rofessed  to  turn  to  the  Lord,  most 
of  whom  were  baptized.  Some  of  these  meetings  were  awfully 
solemn.  In  one  of  them,  a  Congregationalist  minister  related  a 
thrilling  account  of  the  death  of  one  of  his  chissmates  in  Lane  vSem- 
inary,  Cincinnati,  aged  about  seventeen  years.  This  relation  great- 
ly affected  Mr.  Marks,  especially  as  he  knew  and  highly  esteemed 
several  relatives  of  the  deceased.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  he 
requested  the  minister  to  give  him  the  statements  he  had  made,  in 
writing.  He  did  so.  The  account,  with  the  addition  of  some  facts 
subsequently  gathered,  was  substantially  as  follows : 

"  This  youth  resided  in  Rochester  during  the  great  revival  in 
that  city  under  the  labors  of  Mr.  C.  G.  Finney,  and  at  that  time 
was  the  subject  of  deep  convictions.  He  visited  Mr.  Finney,  ac- 
knowledged himself  a  sinner,  but  on  being  asked,  if  he  would  re- 
pent then,  he  said  he  would  not.  Mr.  Finney  said  to  him  in  much 
fiiithfulness,  '  Young  man,  you  will  come  to  some  dreadful  end.' 
He  replied,  'I  am  not  afraid  of  it.'  He  resisted  his  convictions, 
and  finally  resorted  to  the  objections  usually  urged  by  open  infidels. 
His  manners  were  gentle,  his  moral  character  unexceptionable,  and 
his  mind  was  of  the  very  highest  order.  But  he  loved  to  use  his 
objections  against  Christianity,  in  which  he  manifested  uncommon 
skill.  He  was  sent  to  Lane  Seminary,  that  he  might  prosecute 
his  studies  under  a  holy  influence.  One  day,  after  the  cholera  com- 
menced its  ravages  in  Cincinnati,  he  was  in  a  shop  where  the  work- 
men were  making  coffins.  He  asked,  what  should  the  shortness  and 
uncertfiinty  of  life  teach  us  ?  One  answered,  '  While  we  have  life,  to 
prepare  for  death.'  '  No,'  he  replied,  '  it  teaches  us  to  enjoy  life 
while  we  have  it.'  The  next  day  he  was  attacked  by  the  pesti- 
lence, but  remedies  were  applied  so  promptly  that  he  was  restored 
to  comfort,  with  a  good  prospect  of  a  speedy  and  perfect  recovery. 
In  this  state,  he  was  sitting  in  my  room,  when  some  rice  was 
brought  him,  of  which  he  ate  too  much,  and  suffered  a  relapse. 
The  first  indication  of  relapse  was  sudden.  He  exclaimed,  '  I  can 
see  nothing.'  I  looked  upon  him,  his  eyes  were  open  and  rolling 
— his  cheeks  were  blanched — his  lips  purple.  I  took  him  and  bore 
him  to  his  bed.     From  the  fii-st,  those  of  us  who  had  experience  in 


i 


:     i 


'<  ^ni 


332 


MEMOIRS    OF 


tli(3  disease,  had  no  liopc  that  lie  couhl  he  raised  a;];ain.  An  oflort 
wsis  mad)'  to  direct  him  to  the  Savior,  without  distracting;  hint  by 
inl'onnini,'  him  of  his  despe'rate  bo<lily  circnmstaiioe?.  Said  a  friend, 
[Theodore  Weld,]  as  ]w,  handed  him  a  ^hi.«s  of  water,  'Jesus 
Clirist  offers  yon  th((  wafer  ofeternid  life,  tm  thousand  tim<'S  more 
freely  than  I  offer  you  this  water.'  Hut  his  .st<mt  heart  rose;  up 
a^^ain.st  the  kind  attempt.  *  Let  me  alone,'  said  he,  'not  a  word  of 
that.  Let  mc  try  my  experiment.  Inliddity  is  true  after  all.'  It 
is  probable  that  at  this  time  he  was  (hceived  with  the  hopf  of  re- 
coveiy.  Though  he  repelled  all  Christian  conversation,  if  the 
friend  attempted  to  withdniw,  he  would  say,  '  Come  back.  Come 
baek.'  It  was  manifest  that  a  dreadful  strug;j;le  was  agitating  his 
bosom,  between  the  pride  of  commitment  tm  one  liand,  and  the  fenr 
of  hell  on  the  otlujr. 

While  lying  in  this  condition,  one  of  the  theological  students 
came  in,  to  wliom  he  turned,  and  calling  him  by  name,  said :  '  You 
have  never  given  me  the  evidence  that  there  is  an  eternal 
hell.'  lie  replied,  '  There  is  no  time  and  no  need  that  I  should 
do  so  now,  fori  perceive  that  you  believe  that  truth.'  He  accus- 
ed him  of  not  having  hean  faithful  to  hiin  in  religious  matters.  lie 
told  him  he  had  been  faithful,  but  said  he,  '  You  would  not  hear.' 
At  length  the  physician  having  taxed  all  his  skill,  approached  tlie 
bed,  saying  to  the  attendant,  '  This  is  tlie  last  portion  I  shall  give 
him.  If  this  fails,  all  hope  is  gone  !'  It  did  fail,  and  then  one  of  the 
students  addressed  him  thus :  '  We  have  now  done  what  we  can  to 
save  your  life.  All  hope  is  now  past.  Y^ou  must  die.  Prepare  to 
meet  God.  Y''ou  will  probably  be  in  eternity  in  half  an  hour.' 
At  this  announcement  he  became  outrageons  and  blasphemed. 
'  Oh !'  said  he,  '  J  wont  die.  Have  I  come  here  to  Ohio  to  die  !' 
And  then,  his  shrieks  and  blasphemies  were  horrible.  He  grasp- 
ed the  bed  clothes  as  if  to  hold  back  from  death,  and  in  this  condi- 
tion, about  nine  hours  from  the  time  of  his  relapse,  without  a  parti- 
cle of  light  or  hope,  his  soul  was  trken  awfiy. 

May  the  living  be  warned.  May  those  that  are  tampering  with 
infidelity  here  see  its  end.  Affectionately  yours, 

October  20 — 22.  Mr.  Marks  attended  the  Genesee  quarterly 
meeting,  and  presented  the  following  resolution  on  religion  and 
politics,  which  passed :  '  Resolved,  that  Christianity  claims  a  di- 
rect and  minute  control  over  all  the  conduct  of  its  disciples  ;  there- 
fore, in  our  opinion,  professed  Christians  cannot,  in  any  case,  vote  to 
put  an  unjust  or  wicked  man  into  office,  without  transgressing  the  law 
of  God,  which  saith.  He  that  ruleth  over  men  must  he  just,  rul- 
ing in  the  fear  of  the  Lord."  He  remained  in  Warsaw  nine  days, 
attending  meetings  daily,  and  laboring  in  connection  with  the  pns- 


t! 


PAVID    MARKS. 


383 


llort 
l,y 
iciid, 

<Ml!j 

iiore 
up 

ni  (.f 
It 

r  re- 
tlui 

'oilK* 

jr  ill's 
tear 


I 


loi*  of  tlie  rlmrcli.  Sevcnil  wero  awnkciird,  fiHoon  of  wlumi  pro- 
I'd'SHt'd  to  llritl  tlio  Savior.  T«'n  of  these  wore  lueinliersof  the  Sab- 
batli  s('h<M)l. 

In  the  early  part  of  November,  Mr.  Marks  pn-aeht'd  several 
days  ill  I'ike,  in  a  nci^hborhocxl  eallcd  ''  ('ainpl)ell  hill."  The 
clnireh  in  this  plaee  was  without  a  pastor,  few  in  number,  not  ex- 
ceeding^' twelve  or  fifteen  who  resideil  near  enough  tofrether  to  be 
able  to  meet  in  wt.'ekly  meetings.  Their  plaee  of  worship  was  a 
small  school  house,  and  as  few  could  be  accommodated,  the  conj^ro 
j^ation  was  of  necessity  small.  Still  about  twenty  professed  to  be 
converted,  seventeen  of  whom  united  with  the  chuich.  These  con- 
verts a})j)cared  unusually  strong  and  stable.  During  the  progress 
of  the  work,  one  brother,  who  was  a  very  faithful  Christian,  saw 
seven  of  his  family  bow  to  Christ,  Hn<l  follow  their  Savior  in  the 
ordinance  of  baptism.  November  10  and  11,  INIr.  Marks  attended 
the  Erie  quarterly  meeting  in  Collins,  and  during  the  latter  i)art  of 
the  month,  preached  a  few  times  in  Hume.  In  December  he  helil 
a  few  meetings  in  Springvillc.  Several  appeared  anxious  for  sal- 
vation and  some  were  converted.  But  sectarian  spirit  blighted  in 
the  bud,  the  prospect  of  a  powerful  revival.  He  next  held  a  three 
days'  meeting  in  Nashville  with  a  Calvinistic  Baptist  church.  There 
had  been  no  revival  here  for  years.  Great  attention  was  given  to 
the  word,  and  several  professed  submission  to  Christ.  Dec.  22. 
He  attended  the  Chatauque  quarterly  meeting  in  Villanovia,  where 
a  precious  season  was  enjoyed. 

In  January,  1839,  he  held  a  protracted  meeting  in  Boston,  Erie 
Co.  This  had  long  been  a  strong  hold  of  Universalism.  Sever- 
al aged  persons  had  recently  died,  not  one  of  whom  left  an  evi- 
dence of  a  well  grounded  hope.  The  church  was  in  a  low  state 
and  seemed  to  have  little  faith  that  God  Avould  revive  his  work. 
After  a  few  sermons,  lioweAer,  great  seriousness  rested  upon  the 
assemblies,  and  the  impenitent  began  to  inquire  what  they  should 
do  to  be  saved.  The  altar  for  prayer  was  soon  crowded,  and  one 
and  another  found  peace  in  believing,  till  about  thirty  profess- 
ed to  be  born  again.  Among  the  converts  were  several  children 
under  twelve  years  of  age,  whose  zeal  and  activity  in  laboring  for 
the  conversion  of  their  associates,  was  a  loud  rebuke  to  many  pro- 
fessors. One  of  these  children  expressed  gi'eat  anxiety  for  the  con- 
version of  a  younger  brother.  He  begged  of  him  to  repent  of  his 
sins,  and  give  his  heart  to  God ;  and  when  his  brother  yielded  and 
was  converted,  he  was  so  affected  that  he  clapped  his  hands,  and 
exclaimed,  "  Glory  to  God."  On  another  occasion,  one  of  his 
cousins,  a  little  boy  seven  years  of  age,  was  brought  by  his  pray- 
ers and  conversation  to  feel  that  he  was  very  wicked  and  ought  to 
repent.    The  little  boy,  like  the  grey  headed  sinner,  wanted  to  put 


M 


■  J, 

:i  1 

■   i 


j':c^ 


%H'\ 


*  \i 


'■4 


384 


MEMOIRS   OF 


m 


n 


it  off  a  little  longer,  or,  in  other  words,  till  he  became  older.  But 
the  faithful  little  convert  begged  that  he  would  not  do  so,  and  urg- 
ed as  a  very  reasonable  and  powerful  motive,  "  You  don't  know 
that  you  will  live  till  another  morning."  These  children,  to  the 
number  of  eight  or  ten,  were  very  faithful  in  their  duties  as  church 
members,  and  exemplary  in  their  conduct,  and  when  a  year  after- 
wards Mr.  Marks  visited  them,  not  one  of  them  had  backslidden, 
and  they  were  reckoned  among  the  most  faithful,  devoted  Chris- 
tians in  the  church. 

In  the  month  of  February,  Mr.  Marks  preached  a  few  times  in 
Hamburg,  and  saw  some  turn  to  God.  He  also  attended  the  Cat- 
araugus  quarterly  meeting  in  China,  the  Erie  quarterl;  -"eetinT  in 
Ashford,  and  the  Chatauque  in  Portland.  In  these  meetings,  he 
labored  to  enlist  the  brethren  and  ministry  to  act  more  ethciently 
in  the  various  benevolent  enterprises,  and  consecrate  themselves 
with  renewed  zeal  to  the  work  of  saving  souls.  He  remained  in 
Portland  a  few  days,  and  saw  some  prospect  of  a  revival,  but  sec- 
tarian and  pro-slavery  feelings  seemed  to  throw  powerful  obstacles 
in  the  way  of  a  general  work. 

In  the  early  part  of  March,  he  went  to  Rochester,  and  having 
carefully  guarded  the  contributions  he  had  received  in  the  places 
where  he  had  labored,  and  also  what  he  had  earned  in  his  agency, 
and  in  the  sale  of  religious  books,  he  had  saved  something  of  a 
sum.  Fifty  dollars  of  this  sum  he  appropriated  to  the  use  of  his 
father,  and  the  remainder,  with  much  satisfi  ition,  he  now  paid  to 
his  creditors,  carefully  making  a  dividend  ex  ctly  proportioned  to 
iheir  dues.  He  next  attended  the  Penfield  qi  ^rterly  meeting,  and 
on  returning  to  Rochester,  found  his  companio  whom  he  had  left 
there,  very  ill.  Her  health,  which  had  been  leclining  for  some 
years,  had  now  entirely  failed,  and  most  of  the  me,  for  nearly  the 
ensuing  three  months,  he  watched  by  her  bed?  le,  while  the  lamp 
of  life  seemed  just  flickering  in  its  socket.  >'  ihing  could  exceed 
his  kind  care  and  affectionate  attentions  during  als  period,  while,  to 
a  great  extent,  he  performed  both  the  duties  o^  ^"rse  and  watchei*. 
The  anguish  of  his  mind  during  this  season  of  aliliclion  was  oflen 
veiy  great.     April  11,  he  wrote  thus  to  Mr.  Burr : 

"  Though  I  have  not  been  a  stronger  to  affliction,  a  trial  has 
come  upon  me,  compared  with  which  other  trials  seem  as  nothing. 
I  have  reason  to  fear  that  God  is  about  to  take  from  me  my  dear 
companion.  She  whose  labors  to  aid  me  in  the  ministry  for  more 
than  nine  years  have  been  well  known  to  you  and  thousands  in 
our  denomination  is  very  sick.  She  has  been  confined  about  one 
month  with  nervous  debility,  and  is  now  so  low  that  there  is  not 
sufficient  life  for  a  fever  to  prey  upon.  She  has  every  attention 
that  medical  skill  and  the  kindness  of  warm  friends  can  secure." 


K 


M 

W*!- 


DAVID   MARKS. 


385 


But 
urg- 
know 
to  the 
mrdi 
after- 
idden, 


Mrs.  Marks  at  length  began  to  amend,  but  so  slowly  a3  to  be 
scarcely  perceptible,  and  it  was  about  twenty  weeks  from  her  first 
attack,  before  it  was  deemed  prudent  for  her  to  leave  the  city. 
The  liberality  of  Christian  friends  in  these  days  of  affliction,  great- 
ly affected  as  well  as  comforted  the  heart  of  her  husband.  INIiss 
Emily  E.  F.  Winsor  of  Greenville,  R.  L,  (a  grand  daughter  of 
Judge  Foster,  who  was  converted  under  Mr.  Marks'  lal)ors  in  18;30,) 
sent  or  caused  to  be  sent  him  fifty  dollars.  The  conductor-  of  the 
Book  Concern  also  sent  him  fifly  dollars,  and  other  Chiistiaii 
friends  ninety-five.  These  sums  met  Mrs.  Marks'  sickness  bills 
within  five  dollars. 

During  Mr.  Marks'  detention  in  Rochester,  a  very  interesting 
revival  of  religion  was  progressing  under  the  labors  of  Mv.  Knapp, 
the  celebrated  Baptist  evangelist.  He  attended  several  of  the 
meetings,  was  much  interested  in  the  preaelier's  bold  and  lucid 
manner  of  presenting  truth,  and  took  notes  of  about  thirty  of  liis 
sermons,  which  he  preserved  as  a  choice  treasure.  It  was  believed 
that  in  this  work  four  or  five  hundred  were  converted  to  God. 
Among  them  were  persons  of  every  age  and  class,  from  the  Avealthy 
and  intelligent  gentleman,  down  to  the  most  confirmed  drunkard  and 
devotee  of  licentiousness.  Most  of  the  pupils  of  the  dancing  ami 
waltzing  schools  in  the  city  were  among  the  converts.  One  infidel, 
on  being  converted,  came  forward  and  publicly  g-ave  up  "  Paine's 
Age  of  Reason,"  and  confessed  that,  in  his  enmity  to  God,  he  had 
burned  the  Bible  and  had  attended  public  worship  but  once  in 
twenty-seven  years ! 

May  18,  Mr.  Marks  attended  the  Genesee  quai-terly  meeting  in 
Batavia,  where  he  received  much  sympathy  and  kindness  from  his 
Christian  friends.  They  presented  him  with  a  horse  and  carriage. 
The  latter  he  continued  to  use  while  he  lived.  Since  the  assign- 
ment of  his  property,  he  had  been  obliged  either  to  walk  to  his  ap- 
pointments or  hire  a  conveyance,  or  depend  on  brethren  to  send 
for  him.  About  this  period,  he  made  an  estimate  from  his  daily 
accounts  of  receipts  and  expenses,  and  found  that  in  the  nineteen 
years  that  he  had  been  preaching,  he  had  expended  S9000,  only 
S3000  of  which  had  been  given  him.  This  estimate  ir  eluded  the 
sums  he  had  given  for  charitable  and  religious  purposes,  but  did 
not  include  his  recent  losses. 

About  the  middle  of  June,  he  atteiided  the  Holland  Purchase 
yearly  meeting  at  Varysburgh,  where  a  solemn,  impressive  season 
was  enjoyed.  He  was  appointed  a  delegate  to  the  General  Con- 
ference, which  was  to  meet  the  ensuing  fall  at  Conneaut,  Ohio. 
The  subject  of  the  remaining  debts  for  which  he  was  responsible, 
and  which  he  was  struggling  to  liquidate,  was  taken  up,  and  it  was 
thought  that,  as  they  were  contracted  in  peculiar  circumstances, 
33 


:a    .  ^'Ii 


*^'     ;  ^1 


ill  '-f 


386 


MEMOIRS    OF 


and  in  most  trying  times,  while  he  was  laboring  for  the  yearly 
meeting  Home  Mission  Society,  the  brethren  of  the  yearly  meet- 
ing ought  to  aid  him  in  liquidating  them.  For  this  purpose,  it  was 
agreed  that  a  subscription  should  be  raised,  and  contributions  should 
be  taken  among  the  churches.  As  he  had  concluded  to  labor  for  a 
time  in  the  yearly  meeting,  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  agents  in 
this  business. 

During  the  month  of  July  and  the  early  part  of  August,  when- 
ever he  could  be  persuaded  to  leave  his  companion,  he  visited  and 
preached  with  the  churches,  returning  frequently  to  Rochester. 
August  14  and  15,  he  attended  a  semi-annual  meeting  of  the  New 
York  State  Temperance  Society  in  Rochester.  Two  hundred  and 
twenty  delegates  were  present,  comprising  many  distinguished  gen- 
tlemen. Among  the  number  was  Mr.  E.  C.  Delevan,  recently  re- 
turned from  Europe.  Many  high  spirited  resolutions  were  passed, 
which  elicited  very  able  and  animated  discussions.  These  discus- 
sions Mr.  Marks  briefly  reported  for  the  Morning  Star.  Mr.  Dele- 
van  described  an  interview  of  two  hours  he  had  with  Louis  Phil- 
lippe,  the  present  king  of  France,  which  he  spent  in  discussing  the 
subject  of  temperance.  The  king  coincided  with  him  in  principle, 
said,  as  for  himself,  he  was  ready  to  sign  the  pledge  of  total  absti- 
nence, but,  continued  he,  "  The  people  would  call  me  a  fool."  Of 
the  34,000,000  of  people  in  France,  it  was  estimated  that  not  less 
than  14,000,000  were  concerned  in  the  traffic  of  wine !  Within 
the  walls  of  Paris,  the  amount  of  strong  drink  used  annually,  is 
equivalent  to  one  hundred  and  thirty  bottles  of  wine,  and  five  bot- 
tles of  alcohol  (holding  nearly  a  quart  each)  for  every  man,  woman 
.  and  child ! ! 

The  remaining  part  of  August  and  September,  Mr.  Marks  preach- 
ed almost  daily  among  the  churches  in  Yates,  Monroe,  and  Genesee 
quarterly  meetings,  with  much  acceptance.  September  28  and  29, 
he  attended  the  Monroe  quarterly  meeting  at  Ridgeway,  where  he 
met  several  delegates  from  New  England,  who  were  on  their  way 
to  the  General  Conference,  about  to  meet  in  Ohio.  After  the  close 
of  the  meeting,  he  left  with  the  eastern  brethren,  and  arrived  at 
Conneaut,  Tuesday,  Oct.  1,  1839. 

The  Conference  opened  its  session  October  2,  and  continued  five 
days.  Mr.  Marks,  in  addition  to  his  duties  as  a  member,  reported 
the  proceedings.  The  most  animated  and  interesting  discussion 
during  this  session  was  on  the  subject  of  slavery.  Dr.  Housley, 
a  licensed  Calvinistic  Baptist  minister  from  Kentucky,  differing 
from  his  brethren  in  doctrine,  and  agreeing  with  the  Free-will 
Baptists,  had  come  to  the  General  Conference,  bringing  letters  of 
commendation.  He  wished  to  unite  with  the  Free-will  Baptists, 
vand  be  ordained  before  he  returned.    He  stated  tht»c  there  were 


m 


'^^■•-?'f 


DAVID    MARKS. 


387 


several  thousand  Baptists  in  Kentucky  and  adjacent  stales,  who 
were  with  him  in  sentiment,  and  if  he  was  received,  would  eventu- 
ally unite  with  the  Free-will  Baptists.  A  committee  was  appoint- 
ed for  his  examination.  They  asked  him  what  he  thought  of 
American  slavery.  He  replied,  that  it  was  a  great  moral  evil,  a 
scourge,  and  a  curse.  They  inquired  if  he  was  a  slaveholder.  He 
said  he  was ;  he  owned  a  mother  and  three  children.  Being  ask- 
ed, if  he  thought  it  morally  and  religiously  righ'  to  hold  slaves,  he 
replied,  "  Circumstances  alter  cases.  If  I  believed  my  slaves 
would  be  improved  in  their  condition  by  immediate  emancipation, 
I  should  be  as  glad  to  have  them  emancipated  as  you  would  ;  but 
they  are  ignorant  and  unprepared  at  present  to  take  care  of  them- 
selves." The  council  said  to  him,  "  We  will  give  you  satisfactory 
bonds  that  we  will  give  each  of  your  slaves  three  years'  good  school- 
ing in  New  England,  support  them  during  that  time,  and  give  oth- 
er necessary  instructions  to  qualify  them  for  usefulness  in  life.  We 
will  also  go  to  Kentucky,  and  take  them  free  of  expense  to  you. 
Will  you  let  us  have  them  on  these  conditions  ?"  He  replied,  "  No, 
unless  I  can  have  a  remuneration."  They  asked,  "  What  value  do 
you  put  upon  your  slaves  ?"  "  They  are  worth  about  two  thousand 
dollars."  The  council  further  inquired,  "If  we  will  produce  bonds 
as  before  proposed,  and  pay  you  two  thousand  or  two  thousand  five 
hundred  dollars,  will  you  give  up  your  slaves  ?"  "  Yes,"  was  the 
reply.  "  If  you  should  see  your  slaves  passing  here  toward  Can- 
ada, what  would  be  your  course  ?"  "  I  should  arrest,  and  claim 
them  as  my  property." 

One  of  the  resolutions  on  slavery,  discussed  by  the  Conference, 
expressed  the  sentiment,  that  "  The  slaveholder  or  the  advocate  of 
slavery,  who  refuses  to  examine  the  subject,  or  having  examined 
it,  after  due  admonition,  continues  to  advocate  the  system,  ought 
not  to  be  fellowshipped  as  a  Christian."  After  many  excellent  and 
animated  speeches  from  several  members  of  the  Conference,  one 
brother  said,  "  I  cannot  go  for  the  resolution.  I  think  it  uncalled 
for,  particularly  at  this  time.  Here  is  a  brother  [Dr.  Housley] 
who  has  come  between  nine  and  eleven  hundred  miles  as  the  rep- 
resentative of  some  thousands  of  Christians  at  the  south,  who  wish 
to  become  acquainted  with  our  denomination,  and  will  probably 
unite  with  us.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  science  and  respectable  stand- 
ing. The  course  the  Conference  is  taking  is  likely  to  close  up  the 
door  of  the  union  of  those  brethren  with  us.  True,  he  owns  a 
small  number  of  slaves,  but  we  must  remember  that  the  circumstan- 
ces of  his  education  have  been  quite  different  from  ours.  I  under- 
stand that,  on  the  morning  previous  to  his  leaving  home,  he  called 
his  three  little  boys,  who  were  slaves,  with  his  own  children  around 
the  family  altar.     He  holds  these  slaves  on  an  equality  with  his 


f 


^  )t 


■**^' 


i.  * 


-i    V 


388 


MEMOIKS   OF 


children.  lie  has  tried  for  years  to  induce  the  legislature  of  his 
state  to  grant  liberty  to  instruct  the  slaves.  But  the  moment  you 
pass  this  resolution  lie  is  down,  and  the  liopes  of  the  Christians 
with  whom  he  is  connected,  are  instantly  blasted.  They  have  been 
struggling  long  and  hard  against  the  doctrine  of  the  necessity  of 
the  human  will  and  close  communion,  and  they  rejoiced  exceeding- 
ly to  learn,  that  at  the  north  there  were  Christians  of  the  same 
sentiments.'"'' 

Mr.  Marks  replied,  "  I  am  perfectly  astonished.     I  am  almost 

confounded  with  surprise,  that  my  dear  brother should  wish, 

while  we  are  clear  from  the  contaminating  guilt  of  slavery,  that  we 
should  sell  our  freedom  and  purity  at  the  beck  of  one  man  with  but 
four  slaves  If     Is  it  possible  that  to  gain  a  few  thousands  to  our 

number,  brother is  willing  that  we  should  change  our  ground, 

and  welcome  slaveholding  into  the  church  ?  If  Dr.  llousley  wish- 
es to  come  into  our  denomination,  let  him  free  his  slaves,  and  then 
we  can  receive  him  cheerfully,  and  bid  him  a  hearty  welcome  to 

our  communion.     But  can  it  be  possible  that  brother wishes 

it  published  through  the  world,  and  in  the  sight  of  high  heaven, 
that  the  Free-will  Baptists  were  full-blooded,  thorough-going  abo- 
litionists, until  a  slaveholder  came  from  the  south,  and  sought  ad- 
mission to  their  communion,  and  the  denomination,  for  the  sake  of 
one  man,  instead  of  requiring  him  to  free  his  slaves  before  he  could 
be  received,  gave  their  abolition  to  the  winds,  and  bowed  before 
the  dreadful  Moloch  of  slavery  ?  0,  be  astonished,  ye  heavens  ! 
Tell  it  not  in  Gath." 

The  resolution  passed  unanimously,  with  one  exception. 

Dr.  Housley  having  been  invited  to  speak,  subsequently  address- 
ed the  Conference  as  follows :  "  I  wish  merely  to  tell  the  Confer- 
ence the  object  of  my  visit.  I  have  been  a  member  of  the  United 
Separate  Baptist  church  in  Kentucky.  Fifteen  months  since,  I 
had  a  call  to  preach  in  one  of  the  churches.  I  accepted  it,  and 
preached  according  to  my  sentiments — a  univei*sal  atonement,  and 
free  communion.  As  the  result,  I  could  not  receive  ordination 
from  persons  of  opposite  sentiments,  and  there  was  a  prospect  of  a 
division.  I  finally  announced  that  I  would  withdraw  and  unite 
with  the  Free-will  Baptists,  requesting  them  to  deviate  from  their 
usual  course,  and  give  me  a  certificate  of  my  standing.  They  as- 
sented. I  have  since  itinerated  among  the  churches  of  Kentucky, 
and  have  found  that  large  numbers  of  them  are  ready  to  split  on 
the  points  about  which  we  differ.     Many  churches  are  made  up  of 

*  The  brother  who  made  these  remarks,  ie  now  a  zealous,  active  abolitionist,  an  J 
keeps  one  of  the  "  under  ground  rail-road  houaes.^' 

t  The  Free-will  Baptists  had  previously  dis-fellowshipped   their   churches  in  North 
Carolina  on  account  of  their  persisting  in  their  connexion  with  slavery. 


■'<•', 


•>'i 


f  hi? 

you 
itians 
been 
ity  of 
ding- 
same 


DAVID   MARKS. 


380 


Free-will  Baptists  in  sentiment.  About  thirty  years  ago  there 
was  a  separation  of  many  churches,  who  took  the  ground  of  free 
salvation  and  free  communion.  These  were  called  Separate  Bap- 
tists. After  this,  there  was  a  convention,  and  negotiations  were 
opened  for  their  being  united  again  with  the  Calvinistic  body ;  and 
the  two  parties  did  unite  in  form,  but  not  in  sentiment.  There  are 
now  divisions  constantly  taking  j^lace.  On  one  side  they  are  call- 
ed Parkerites,  Fatalists,  Calvinists,  and,  on  the  other  side,  they  are 
called  Arminians  and  Missionaries.  [The  latter  name  is  given 
them  because  they  are  friends  to  missions.]  Should  you  plant  a 
mission  in  Kentucky,  probably  you  might  gather  in  that  state 
twenty  thousand  members  into  your  denomination  within  three 
jears.  In  talking  these  things  over,  it  was  agreed  that  I  should 
come  and  see  you,  and  lay  the  circumstances  before  this  body.  I 
have  united  wnth  the  Free-will  Baptist  church  in  this  town.  [It 
is  but  justice  to  the  church  to  say  they  did  not  know  that  Dr. 
Ilousley  was  a  slaveholder  when  they  received  him.]  In  the  ex- 
pectation that  I  should  here  receive  ordination,  I  have  an  appoint- 
ment to  attend  baptism  on  my  return  home." 

The  inquiry  was  made  :  Can  a  Free-will  Baptist  preach  among 
those  churches  with  safety  ?  Dr.  Housley  replied,  "  He  can — 
provided  he  do  not  make  the  exciting  subject  of  abolition  the  test 
of  fellowship." 

The  council  appointed  for  Dr.  Housley's  examination,  reported  to 
him,  that  while  he  claimed  property  in  his  fellow  man,  they  could 
not  acknowledge  him  as  a  minister  of  Jesus  Chnst. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  the  Book  Concern  gave  ample 
proof  of  the  ability  and  wisdom  of  its  conductors,  and,  as  a  matter 
of  course,  was  a  subject  of  the  deepest  interest  to  Mr.  Marks.  It 
contained  the  following  very  excellent  remarks  :  "  If  we  look  at  it 
[Book  Concern,]  as  it  is  now  exhibited  to  us,  it  presents  to  our- 
view  a  large  pecuniary  interest,  as  the  property  of  the  denomina- 
tion, for  which,  as  a  body,  they  never  have  advanced  a  farthing. 
With  its  weekly  circulation  of  five  thousand  copies  of  the  Morning- 
Star,  and  its  many  thousand  copies  of  useful  books,  we  may  con- 
template it  as  now  exerting,  under  the  Divine  blessing,  an  exten- 
sive, benign,  and  heavenly  influence  over  thousands  of  eternity- 
bound  souls,  preparing  them  for  greater  usefulness  in  this  world, 
and  for  holiness  and  endless  joy  in  that  which  is  to  come.  If  we 
look  at  it  as  it  has  appeared  in  the  past,  we  behold  it  weak  and 
feeble,  without  funds,  loaded  with  debts  of  thousands  of  dollars,  de- 
claring uncompromising  war  with  the  whole  empire  of  darkness, 
constantly  beset  among  other  enemies,  with  poverty,  prejudice,  ig- 
norance, intemperance,  Romanism,  and  even  measuring  swords 
with  the  giant  monster  slavery — and  yet,  under  all  these  unfavora- 
33* 


1. 1 


■ '  r  k  M 


^}i 


i 


'4,1 


^*'  ' '. 


^^r«' 


•6     >' 


¥ 


m 


390 


MEMOIRS    OF 


!r 


ble  circumstances,  we  see  it  gradually  rising,  freeing  itself  from  pe- 
cuniary embarrassment,  increasing  in  strength,  gaining  the  confi- 
dence of  the  public,  and  enlarging  the  sphere  of  its  usefulness,  un- 
til it  arrives  as  its  present  useful  and  prosperous  state.  We  do 
feel  that  every  heart  ought  humbly  and  devoutly  to  say,  '  Hitherto 
the  Lord  hath  helped  us.'  The  Morning  Star  is  known  through 
our  nation,  and  even  in  Europe  and  India,  as  the  decided  and  fear- 
less opposer  of  the  sins  of  the  age.  If  this  characteristic  of  our 
paper  be  destroyed,  the  world  will  suffer  an  irreparable  loss.  To 
the  care  of  our  beloved  denomination,  God  has  committed  the 
Morning  Star,  bidding  us  to  occupy  till  he  comes,  and  on  ns  its  fu- 
ture character  and  usefulness  depends.  *  *  *  May  the  Morn- 
ing Star  never  cease  to  emit  the  sacred  rays  of  gospel  light  and 
saving  truth,  until  the  glory  of  God  shall  cover  the  whole  earth." 

Among  the  resolutions  that  were  passed  on  the  subject  of  tem- 
perance, was  the  following :  "  Whereas  tobacco  is  one  of  the  most 
deadly  poisons  in  the  vegetable  kingdom,  and  its  use  injurious  to 
the  health  and  happiness  of  mankind.  Therefore,  Resolved,  that  the 
habitual  use  of  tobacco  is  in  direct  opposition  to  the  true  principles 
of  temperance — that  it  becomes  us  as  a  denomination  to  labor  for 
the  removal  of  this  evil  from  among  us,  and  especially  from  the 
ministry — and  that  we  earnestly  entreat  our  brethren  who  have 
been  engaged  in  the  filthy  practice  of  using  this  obnoxious  weed,  to 
abstain  therefrom." 

Monday  morning  the  Conference  closed.  The  parting  was  a 
very  melting  one.  The  delegates,  in  the  prosecution  of  their  busi- 
ness, had  been  of  one  heart  and  one  soul,  and  several  had  repeat- 
ed, "  How  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell  togeth- 
er in  unity."  They  pledged  themselves  to  remember  each  other 
in  their  addresses  at  the  throne  of  grace,  also  the  various  operations 
in  which,  as  a  denomination,  they  were  engaged  for  the  good  of 
souls.  They  sung  a  parting  hymn  while  the  members  of  the  Con- 
ference took  leave  of  each  other  by  shaking  hands.  The  scene 
was  very  affecting.  All  were  bathed  in  tears,  and  the  feelings  of 
some  burst  forth  in  sobs.     Even  Dr.  Housley  wept. 

After  the  close  of  the  Conference,  Mr.  Marks  spent  a  few  weeks 
in  accordance  with  previous  engagements  with  the  churches  in  the 
north-eastern  part  of  Ohio,  the  north-western  part  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  south-western  part  of  New  York.  All  the  record  that  has 
been  found  of  his  labors  among  these  churches,  is  contained  in 
the  following  brief,  occasional  notices  in  his  letters  to  his  companion. 

Ashtabula,  Ohio,  Oct.  21,  1839. 
My  dearly  beloved  wife : — 

*  *         The  evening  I  parted  with  you,  Oct.  8,  we  had 

a  very  interesting  anti-slavery  meeting  in  Conneaut,  and  thirty-two 


W] 

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DAVID   JIARKS. 


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gave  their  names  to  form  a  society.  Oct.  9  and  10,  I  travelled  fif- 
ty-eight miles,  seven  of  which  I  walked,  })reached  four  times,  and 
had  one  unusually  good  season.  Sabbath,  Oct.  13,  I  preached  three 
times  at  Washington  village,  in  Erie  county,  Pa.  The  congrega- 
tions were  large,  and  the  Lord  was  with  me.  I  have  i)reached 
with  several  churches  in  the  Erie  and  Ashtabula  quarterly  meet- 
ings. The  seasons  of  worship  have  generally  been  very  interest- 
ing, and  the  assemblies  large.  I  attended  the  Ashtabula  quarterly 
meeting  at  Williamsfield,  and  had  one  of  the  best  seasons  in  preach- 
ing that  I  ever  had.  About  thirty  arose  for  prayer,  and  some  con- 
fessed their  sins.  In  Cherry  Valley,  a  church  has  recently  been 
formed  under  the  labors  of  Elder  Ransom  Dunn.  One  hundred 
were  converted  in  ten  days,  eighty  of  whom  he  baptized.  The 
church  is  building  a  house  of  worship. 

My  health  is  unusually  good.  I  fill  my  appointments  with  per- 
fect ease,  preach  usually  twice  a  day,  from  an  hour  to  an  hour  and 
a  half,  and  feel  no  inconvenience.  You  have  frequently  entreated 
me  not  to  be  anxious  about  you,  but  how  can  I  help  it  ?  Can  you 
so  control  your  mind  and  feelings  as  not  to  be  anxious  about  me  ? 
If  you  can,  it  is  because  you  have  more  grace.  Christ  said,  "  Be 
not  anxious  for  your  life,"  and  if  it  is  possible  not  to  be  anxious 
even  for  life,  I  suppose  we  may  so  discipline  our  thoughts  as  not  to 
be  anxious  for  each  other ;  but  I  scarcely  know  how  to  bring  my 
mind  to  such  a  state.  The  recollection  of  your  feeble  health,  and 
the  fear  that  you  will  have  a  relapse,  are  thoughts  almost  constant- 
ly before  my  eyes.  O  that  I  could  be  with  you  to  show  you  a  mul- 
titude of  those  little  kindnesses  which  you  so  much  need  in  yoiir 
feebleness.  I  will  try,  however,  to  be  patient,  and  comfort  myself 
with  the  reflection,  that  you  are  in  the  hands  of  a  kind  Savior,  who 
has  shown  me  many  mercies,  and  whose  kindness,  though  unmerit- 
ed, will  not  forsake  me.  Since  we  parted  I  have  enjoyed  consid- 
erable of  the  Divine  presence.  I  hope  you  also  have  had  the  pres- 
ence of  Christ  to  comfort  you  in  your  privations  and  afflictions. 
0  how  good  has  my  Heavenly  Father  been  to  me.  What  kind- 
ness in  permitting  me  to  be  with  my  dear  companion  so  much,  and 
above  all  in  granting  me  the  privilege,  when  she  Avas  sick,  of  min- 
istering to  her  comfort.  Certainly  we  have  no  reason  to  complain ; 
thousands  of  persons  are  induced  by  the  hope  of  mere  sordid  gain 
to  part  for  months  and  years.  Some  have  to  leave  their  wi\es 
with  several  children,  and  they  have  to  endure  severe  povert}', 
with  none  to  pity  them,  but  many  to  oppress  and  misuse  them. 
But  what  a  multitude  of  kind  friends  we  have.  O  we  will  labor 
to  be  thankful  and  contented.  We  know  we  can  stay  here  on 
earth  but  a  little  while,  and  then  our  final  change  will  come.  We 
have  now  arrived  to  a  period  of  life,  in  which  the  flight  of  time 


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will  be  very  rapid,  and  much  as  we  love  one  another,  we  must  cer- 
tainly part  soon.  O  may  we  be  i)repare(l.  AVe  will  thank  God 
for  what  time  wg  are  allowed  to  spend  together  here,  and  for  the 
blessed  ho})e,  that  soon  after  the  last  i)arting  on  earth,  we  shall  meet 
where  we  shall  "  know  as  we  are  known,"  and  our  union  be  com- 
plete, perfect,  and  eternal. 

Your  fortunate  husband, 

David  Marks. 


meetmgs 


He  wrote  Nov.  2,  "  One  of  the  most  interesting 
which  I  have  had  since  I  saw  you  was  at  the  village  of  Gerard. 
The  power  of  God  was  wonderfully  manifested.  A  large  assem- 
bly, with  one  exception,  bent  the  knee.  I  had  good  seasons  among 
the  churches  in  the  French  Creek  quarterly  meeting.  In  North- 
east I  was  attacked  by  a  pro-slavery  advocate.  The  weather  has 
been  very  fine  indeed — the  best  I  ever  saw  it  during  an  autumn. 
The  thermometer  has  been  usually  from  60  to  70  degrees  and  the 
roads  have  been  as  dry  and  dusty  as  in  June." 

•  From  Nov.  2  to  Nov.  24,  Mr.  Marks  visited  twenty-one  church- 
es in  the  Chatauque,  Erie,  Cattaraugus,  and  Genesee  quarterly 
meetings,  preaching  from  one  to  three  times  daily. 

He  wrote,  "  I  preached  three  times  in  Portland  Sabbath,  Nov.  3, 
with  tolerable  freedom,  and  during  the  week,  I  preached  in  Ark- 
wright,  Villanovia,  Charlotte,  twice  in  Cherry  Creek,  and  Nov.  0 
and  10,  attended  the  Chatauque  quarterly  meeting  in  Dayton.  The 
latter  was  a  powerful  season.  Several  confessed  their  sins.  Some, 
I  think,  will  be  converted.  During  the  six  days  following,  I 
preached  in  Ellington,  Napoli,  twice  in  Little  Valley,  Mansfield, 
West  Otto  and  East  Otto.  Yesterday  I  had  three  sweet  meetings. 
In  the  evening,  my  text  was  Luke  1 6:5.  "  And  how  much  owest  thou 
my  lord?"  I  think  deep  and  lasting  impressions  were  made. 
Several  confessed  their  sins,  and  one  that  came  forward  for  pray- 
er, prayed  aloud.  *  *  My  health  has  not  been  so  good 
in  eight  years.  I  have  not  even  a  cold  or  cough,  which  is  so  com- 
mon for  me  at  this  season  of  the  year.  Indeed  I  seem  nearly  well, 
thanks  be  to  God.  In  compliance  with  your  request,  and  for  your 
sake,  I  am  more  careful  than  I  need  be,  merely  because  were  you 
with  me,  you  would  insist  on  certain  points  of  caution  and  self- 
preserving  care. 

Concord,  Nov.  19,  7  o'clock,  A.  M.  I  arose  this  morning  at  three 
o'clock,  and  have  written  a  large  sheet  of  editorial  reports  of  iho 
General  Conference.  To-day,  I  have  to  write  a  letter  to  India, 
then  go  to  Boston,  thence  to  Richardson's  settlement  in  Concord 
and  preach  to-night." 


# 


DAVIU    MARKS. 


393 


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During  the  month  of  December,  Mr.  Marks  preached  daily, 
with  good  success,  among  the  churches  of  the  Genesee  and  Cat- 
taraugus quarterly  meetings.  In  the  early  part  of  January,  184o, 
he  left  his  companion  with  friends  in  Bath,  Steuben  county,  and  at- 
tended several  api)ointments  extending  into  Pennsylvania,  lie 
wrote : 

Addison  Village,  Jan.  17,  1840. 
My  dear  wife  : — 

This  morning  is  at  least  ten  degrees  colder  tlian  any  I  ever  saw 
to  my  knowledge.  I  am  now  sitting  by  the  side  of  a  great  fire, 
but  the  ink  freezes  in  my  pen  before  I  can  write  out  a  pen  full. 
The  mercury  has  retired  from  sight  in  every  thermometer  in  the 
village,  though  one  of  them  shows  thirty  degrees  below  zero. 

Since  I  left  you,  I  have  preached  from  one  to  three  times  a  day, 
and  during  the  first  six  days,  beside  my  other  labors,  I  wrote  and 
mailed  thirty-two  letters.  The  snow  has  been  very  deep,  and  the 
roads  little  broken,  consequently  the  travelling  has  been  tedious. 
I  visited  two  churches  in  Pennsylvania ;  one  in  Westfield,  the  oth- 
er in  Deerfield.  The  former  church  is  small  and  poor,  and  the 
country  sterile  indeed.  The  one  in  Deerfield  is  the  only  church 
in  the  village.  My  meetings,  on  the  whole,  have  been  interesting, 
but  not  attended  with  so  much  power  as  I  have  earnestly  desired. 
This  has  made  me  feel  gloomy."  Three  days  afterwards,  he 
wrote : — "  Last  Sabbath,  I  preached  three  times  and  had  excellent 
seasons.  I  was  very  happy.  My  soul  was  deeply  imbued  with 
the  importance  of  the  truths  I  presented,  and  tlie  assembly  was 
greatly  melted.     Several  arose  for  prayer. 

I  have  been  thinking  to-day  how  much  comfort  we  have  en- 
joyed together — how  happy  we  have  been  in  each  other's  society. 
What  mutual  confidence,  and  affection,  and  unmingled  pleas- 
ure have  attended  our  association.  Notwithstanding  the  keen, 
heart-rending,  soul-prostrating  grief,  which  will  press  upon  the 
one  that  is  left,  when  the  other  shall  have  gone  to  our  eternal  home, 
will  there  not  be  a  sweet  mournful  pleasure  in  thinking  of  our 
happy  union,  and  also  in  thinking  of  its  renewal  in  another  world ! 
*  *  *  *  When  I  reflect  on  the  extreme  shortness 
of  this  life,  and  the  great  rapidity  with  which  time  is  floating  us 
down — down  to  the  great  ocean  of  unchanging,  endless  duration, 
I  am  more  and  more  astonished  at  the  stupidity  of  the  multitudes 
who  know  not  God,  and  the  thoughtlessness  of  professors  of  Chris- 
tianity. If  we  may  judge  from  the  conduct  of  most  men,  it  would 
seem  that  they  -vr^e  atheists.  God  is  not  in  all  their  thoughts.  O 
what  a  lack  of  principle  is  there  in  the  multitude,  and  even  in  the 
church !  Lovers  of  pleasure  more  than  lovers  of  God,  appears  to 
be  the  characteristic  of  the  great  body  of  the  people,  and  I  fear 


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MEMOIRS    OF 


If' 


1. 


too  of  even  the  church.     "With  all  the  facilities  which  we  have  for 
gaining  knowledge,  how  little  love  of  study  we  find,  how  little  lo^j- 
ical  and  soiuid  reasoning.     In  view  of  these  things,  I  have,  last  eve- 
ning and  this  morning,  felt  much  dei)ressed.         »         *         # 
Farewell.  As  ever,  your  affectionate  hushand, 

D.  Marks." 

Friday,  Jan.  24,  1840.  Mr.  ISIarks  returned  to  IJath,  and  till 
the  middle  of  Aj)ril,  travelled  constantly.  In  this  time  he  preach- 
ed one  lumdred  and  sixty-five  sermons  in  the  churches  in  Yates. 
Penfield,  Monroe,  Genesee,  lOrie,  Cattaraugus,  and  Chatauque 
quarterly  meetings.  While  riding,  he  was  constantly  studying  or 
reading,  as  had  long  heen  his  custom  ;  wlien  he  stopped  and  was 
not  in  meetings,  he  was  almost  continuously  writing,  and  at  the 
same  time  often  carrying  on  an  animated  conversation.  All  the 
record  of  his  laboi*s  during  this  period,  are  a  few  brief  notices  in 
the  following  letters. 

"  February  26.  The  ground  was  bare.  I  walked  nine  miles  in 
twenty-two,  to  my  appointment  in  Parma,  and  preached  nearly  two 
hours.  The  house  was  full,  and  the  people  were  very  attentive. 
I  have  had  considerable  difficulty  and  much  fatigue  to  get  along 
on  account  of  the  travelling.  Sometimes  I  almost  regret  having 
appointments  at  this  season  of  the  year,  but  then  I  must  have  omit- 
ted doing  much  that  I  have  done  towards  liquidating  my  remain- 
ing debts,  and  until  I  get  this  old  affair  off"  from  my  mind,  it  will  be 
difficult  for  me  to  pursue  my  labors  with  a  clear  mind  and  a  full 
heart." 

"  March  10.  The  sleighing  being  gone,  I  rode  thirty  four  miles 
in  the  storm  on  horseback,  carrying  all  my  baggage,  and  preached 
at  evening  in  Golden.  I  enjoy  pretty  good  spirits,  and  trust  that  I 
shall  meet  some  fruits  from  my  present  labors  in  another  world. 
I  rejoice  at  the  interest  you  feel  in  studying  the  Bible.  I  hope  it 
will  furnish  matter  for  conversation  and  my  instruction,  particular- 
ly at  such  times  as  we  may  be  riding  in  places  where  I  cannot 
read. 

I  intended  to  have  conversed  some  more  with  you  at  our  last  meeting 
in  relation  to  the  child  given  us  by  our  dying  sister.*  I  have  thought 
considerably  about  it.  I  feel  a  strong  inclination  to  take  her  with 
some  deduction  on  account  of  circumstances.  The  result  is,  I  am 
passive.  I  do  not  wish  you  to  take  her  to  please  me — nor  not  to 
take  her  to  please  me — nor  to  take  her  out  of  pity,  for  this  would 
be  putting  a  burden  upon  you  which  you  are  not  able  to  bear,  and 
which  it  is  not  needful  you  should  bear.   I  wish  you  to  follow  your 

*  Mrs.  Mark's  brother's  wife,  who  left  an  infant  daughter  four  montlis  old. 


mi^ 


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kl  till 

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along 
having 


DA'"^ID    MARKS. 


395 


own  inclination,  and  do  what,  on  the  whole,  you  think  will  secure 
to  you,  in  all  probability,  the  greatest  amount  of  usefulness  and 
enjoyment.  I  have  thought  she  might  be  company  an«l  a  comfort 
to  you  in  future  years.  Ask  wisdom  from  above,  and  may  God 
direct  you. 

I  confine  myself  strictly  to  a  Graham  diet.  I  thank  you  for 
your  kind  instrimentality  in  inducing  me  to  try  it.  I  am  not  pos- 
itive that  it  has  as  yet  effected  any  change  except  it  be  to  reduce 
my  appetite.  It  may  have  produced  more  evenness  of  tem[)er, 
calmness  and  cheerfulness  of  mind,  and  less  liability  to  disease.  I 
wish  to  sleep  less  than  formerly,  from  four  to  six  hours  being  all  I 
seem  to  need. 

*  *  *  I  cannot  tell  you  what  feelings  the  thoughts  of 
your  removal  by  death  give  me.  How  solemn  the  reflection,  that 
it  will  soon  be,  or  that  which  will  be  to  you  more  painful, 
shall  be  taken  from  you  !  Are  we  prepared?  I  trust  we  are.  I 
think  we  are  living  for  another  world,  and  a  happy  way  it  is  to 
live.         *         * 

March  16.  I  am  reading  Faber  on  the  prophecies  a  second  time 
and  making  notes.  To-day  I  resume  the  study  and  comparing  of 
Fuller  and  Hall  on  Communion.  I  think  I  am  preparing  for  as 
great  performances,  as  to  the  amount  of  labor,  as  disciplined  tem- 
perance and  exercise  will  enable  me  to  perform.     Farewell. 

With  unshaken,  undying  affection,  I  remain  your  happy  hus- 
band, D.  Marks." 

«  Wirt,  Allegany  County,  April  6,  1840. 
My  dearly  beloved  wife  : — 

Since  I  wrote  you  last  Friday,  I  have  been  well,  and 
success  has  in  general  attended  me.  The  most  that  has  pained 
me  has  been  that  I  succeed  no  more  in  moving  upon  the  consciences 
and  hearts  of  my  hearers.  I  have  no  difficulty  in  finding  good 
words,  and  sound  speech,  which  cannot  be  gainsayed,  but  I  feel 
exceedingly  dissatisfied  with  myself.  I  need  to  get  my  own  soul 
more  baptized  into  the  spirit  of  the  subjects  on  which  I  preach.  I 
have  resolved  to  spend  more  time  in  prayer.  I  need  not  say  to 
you,  "  Pray  for  me,"  for  I  am  satisfied  you  do  this  daily,  and 
that  more  faithfully  than  I  do  for  myself. 

I  am  now  in  a  blacksmith's  shop  on  my  way  to  Angelica,  writ- 
ing on  a  bench,  while  my  horse  is  being  shod.  I  cannot  describe 
to  you  the  feelings  which  your  account  of  my  brother  Jeremiah's 
return  gave  me,  nor  tell  you  how  it  affected  me  when  his  unex- 
pected name  was  disclosed.  Truly  it  seemed  like  one  coming  from 
the  dead,  for  I  had  little  expectation  of  ever  seeing  him  again. 
Till  now  I  never  had  much  conception  of  the  feelings  of  relatives, 


'■1 


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306 


MEMOIRS    OF 


on  thn  return  of  one  from  an  unlinown  aon-fiiring  life.     O  liow  1 
long  to  »vQ  him. 

I  have  finished  the  re.'uUng  of  Combe's  "  Constitution  of  Man." 
I  have  had  a  gnjat  variety  of  feelings.  Sometimes  I  havo  frit  had 
— sometimes  my  admiration  has  b(!en  raised  very  high.  His  posi- 
tions with  regard  to  study,  health,  exercise,  and  particularly  in  re- 
lation  to  the  trealmimt  of  the  poor,  are  excellent.  With  respect 
to  other  things,  some  seem  to  me  as  common  truisms  and  some  as 
untenable.  Sometimes  I  could  but  feel  that  his  positions  favore<l 
infidelity — at  other  times,  they  seemed  to  favor  a  cold  philosophi- 
cal religion.  Again,  it  has  seemed  that  he  was  not  a  believer  in 
revelation,  but  used  words  and  sentences  like  Robert  Owen,  in  a 
new  and  peculiar  sense.  I  cannot  assent  to  his  position,  that  man 
was  created  to  die,  nor  to  his  position,  that  the  Creator  designed  the 
rude  barbarian  ignorance  which  formerly  existed,  or,  in  other 
words,  that  the  mere  progressive  state  of  rising  in  the  human  fam- 
ily, was  an  original  plan  of  the  Deity.  Ilis  positions  in  relation 
to  the  unavoidable  wickedness  of  character  created  by  parents 
in  their  offspring,  are  "hard  sayings,"  and  unreconcilable  with 
Scripture,  or  with  the  benevolence  and  justice  of  God.  But,  per- 
haps I  do  not  understand  the  necessary  inferences  which  follow 
from  his  positions.  Sometimes  I  fear  the  reading  of  this  work 
will  lead  me  to  be  too  literal,  as  Sutton  said  of  McKnight's  Com- 
mentary. You  know  I  am  already  much  inclined  to  dwell  upon 
facts  and  skeleton  frames.  In  relation  to  a  few  things  pre- 
sented by  Combe,  my  feelings  remind  mo  of  the  Brarain,  who  with 
his  foot  crushed  the  microscope  which  discovered  to  him  the  living 
insects  in  his  food. 

Aurora,  April  7.  I  had  a  good  meeting  last  evening,  and  a  full 
house.  To-day  I  am  to  preach  twice  in  Belfast  and  Rockville,  and 
am  to  stay  to-night  at  brother  Bruce's,  where,  as  I  told  yon,  I 
admired  so  much  the  mother  and  her  children.  How  charming, 
and  yet  how  unfrequent,  the  sight  of  a  household  regulated  in  all 
things  by  the  gospel  of  Christ.         *         *         Farewell. 

Your  affectionate  husband, 

D.  Marks." 

»  Warsaw,  April  10,  1840. 
My  dear  Marilla : — 

Since  I  wrote  you,  I  have  had  most  excellent  meetings.  My  own 
soul  has  been  much  blessed,  and  I  have  seen  more  of  the  power  of 
God  attend  my  preaching.  In  one  of  my  meetings,  forty-two  spoke, 
and  twenty  came  forward  for  prayer.  In  Pike,  the  Lord  is  reviv- 
ing his  w^ork  gloriously. 


te 


DAVID  MAnKS. 


397 


low  I 

lun." 

It  had 

lin  rc- 

I'HJX'Ct 

ine  as 
lvore<l 

yvv  in 
in  a 

It  man 
(I  the 
other 


<*■ 


T  rrjoioc  to  lirnr  of  your  improvotl  hcnltli  nnrl  onjojment.  T  do 
most  earnestly  hope,  that  *  Il«^  who  tempers  the  wind  to  the  shorn 
hunb,'  will  ho  reeoncile  you  to  your  lot,  thftt  you  will  not  havo 
that  afllictive  fjloom  which  you  had  when  I  was  pone  to  Ohio.  I 
have  not  8uffere<l  so  much  agony  of  feeling,  ns  I  did  on  that  occa- 
sion. 1  cannot  attribute  this  to  any  loss  of  affection,  for  this  does 
not  seem  to  be  a  poH«'bility,  Indeed,  I  do  not  think  such  an  event 
couhl  possibly  occur,  ex  pt  it  \\<  re  in  consequence  of  a  departure 
from  God ;  and  ^v''  must  r<'member  that  we  are  not  b<'V()nd  the 
reach,  power,  and  ii.'bunce  of  (c/nptation.  In  two  weeks  I  hope 
to  meet  you,  and  I  hopt  we  shall  never  bnve  to  be  parted  so  long 
again.  Still  we  do  not  know  what  a  day  may  bring  forth.  We 
have  certainly  had  a  full  and  sweet  cup  of  social  enjoyment.  When 
I  think  of  the  manner  in  which  many  others  live,  and  how  ]»l<>as- 
antly  we  have  passed  our  days  together,  I  feel  my  ln'Hi*t  burn  with 
gratitude  to  that  God  wlio  graciously  brought  us  to  see  each  other's 
face,  and  to  be  re-united  in  heart  and  in  reality  for  life.  *  * 
Farcwell.  As  ever,  your  very  affectionate  husband, 

IX  Makks." 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Particulars  of  Mr.  Marks*  Labors,  S^c.  mostly  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  from  April,  1840,  to  July,  1842, 

For  several  years,  Mr.  Marks  had  desired  to  attend  the  meet- 
ings of  the  great  benevolent  societies,  held  annually  in  the  city 
of  New  York.  The  way  for  the  gratification  of  this  desire  was 
now  open,  and  the  latter  part  of  April,  accompanied  by  his  com- 
panion, he  visited  the  city  for  this  purpose. 

April  23.  He  attended  the  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Soci- 
ety, and  reported  the  speeches  for  the  Morning  Star.  The  Socie* 
ty  voted  to  give  one  thousand  dollars  to  the  Freewill  and  General 
Baptist  mission  in  Orissa.  to  aid  in  circulating  Mr.  Sutton's  trans- 
lation of  the  Scriptures  in  the  Oriya  language.  April  28 — 30,  he 
attended  the  Baptist  Anti-Slavery  Convention,  which  was  an  ex- 
tremely interesting  season.  It  was  stated  that  there  were  more 
slaves  held  by  Baptists,  than  by  any  other  denomination.  From 
five  to  twelve  hundred  were  held  by  single  Baptist  churches,  and 
1 25,000  by  the  denomination  ! !  He  also  reported  the  discussions 
of  this  convention.  vSabbath,  May  3,  he  listened  with  thrilling  in- 
terest to  a  discourse  from  Mr.  Kirk.  His  subject  was  the  moral 
34 


'I 


lii' 


'■m 


'.r  " 


1:1 


m 


398 


MEMOIRS   OP 


arid  religious  state  of  France,  and  he  plead  eloquently  that  the 
Foreign  Evangelical  ^^'^.iety  should  send  missionaries  to  France. 
He  said  there  was  the  laost  power  in  Paris  of  any  city  in  the 
worldj  and  more  literature,  thought,  and  refinement.  Its  present 
influence  was  ruinous.  Infidelity,  superstition,  materialism,  abound- 
ed. He  expressed  the  conviction,  that  the  condition  of  female 
chastity  was  such  as  to  undermine  any  government.  During  the 
ensuing  week,  Mr.  Marks  attended  the  anniversaries  of  the  Sea- 
men's Friend  Society,  and  the  American  Anti-Slavery  Society. 
There  was  nothing  at  the  latter,  which  so  much  interested  him,  as 
an  address  from  H.  P.  Garnet,  a  negro,  who  was  a  graduate  from 
Oneida  Institute,  and  of  whom  Governor  Seward  said,  "I  nev- 
er listened  to  eloquence  till  I  listened  to  Henry  P.  Garnet."  His 
voice  was  commanding,  his  enunciation  distinct,  his  ideas  bold,  his 
descriptions  graphic,  and  his  language  extremely  beautiful. 

Mr.  Marks  employed  his  leisure  in  visiting  places  of  interest  in 
the  city.  Among  these,  was  Mr.  Peale's  museum,  of  which  he 
made  the  following  record.  "  New  York,  Wednesday,  May  6.  We 
visited  Peale's  museum.  The  first  object  that  met  us  was  the 
*  Belgian  Giant,'  (recently  from  Europe,)  seven  feet  eight  inches 
high.  He  was  well  proportioned,  and  his  appearance  command- 
ing, weighs  about  330  pounds.  He  is  said  to  be  the  largest  and 
strongest  man  living.  He  took  a  young  man  about  eighteen  or  twenty 
years  of  age  on  his  hand,  and  tossed  him  as  a  common  man  would  a  little 
child.  He  was  very  gentlemanly  and  sociable — had  been  in  the  muse- 
um about  six  weeks  for  a  show,  and  was  soon  going  to  the  Philadelphia 
museum.  The  next  object  was  an  Egyptian  mummy,  five  feet  and 
two  inches  in  height.  It  was  taken  from  a  catacomb  at  Thebes. 
The  body  was  enveloped  in  sixty-eight  thicknesses  of  linen,  the 
most  of  wliich  had  been  removed  from  the  face.  The  features 
■were  regular,  the  skin  nearly  black,  and  the  hair  a  little  cur- 
ly. It  was  enclosed  in  a  sarcophagus  [a  sort  of  coffm]  of  syc- 
amore wood,  which  was  covered  with  hieroglyphics.  Strange  feel- 
ings passed  over  me  while  gazing  upon  this  relic  of  antiquity. 
How  far  it  was  from  the  thoughts  of  those  friends  who  embalmed 
this  body,  that  it  would  ever  find  its  way  across  the  mighty  ocean, 
and  in  the  New  World  be  a  wonder  upon  which  many  should 
gaze.  After  all,  how  vain  is  the  eflTort  of  man  to  perpetuate  his 
memory.  While  the  tenement  in  which  the  soul  dwelt  a  few  brief 
years,  is  preserved  from  decay,  the  name  of  the  individual  has 
heen  forgotten  for  centuries.  And  while  acres  of  catacombs  have 
leen  discovered,  it  is  said  that  the  present  inhabitants  of  Egypt, 
instead  of  reverencing  the  respect  of  their  ancestors  for  the  dead, 
aie  using  the  mummies  for  common  fuel.  Surely,  the  ' glory  of 
man  is  as  grass.* 


W] 

oh 


DA.VID   MARKS. 


309 


Some  of  the  delegates  to  the  "World's  Convention,  which  was  to 
meet  in  London  the  following  June,  urged  Mr.  Marks  to  accompa- 
ny them,  saying,  that  as  the  Free-will  Baptists  had  washed  their 
hands  from  the  guilt  of  slavery,  they  ought  to  be  represented  in  the 
Convention.  But  as  he  had  not  funds  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
the  voyage,  he  wrote,  at  their  request,  the  following  letter,  which 
was  published  in  London  in  the  "  Proceedings"  of  the  Convention, 
in  an  octavo  volume  of  about  six  hundred  pages,  and  is  copied 
from  that  work. 

"  New  York  City,  May  8,  1840. 

To  tJie  World's  Anti-Slavery   Convention  at  London,  June  12, 

1840. 

Deal*  brethren  in  the  cause  of  suffering  humanity, 

The  Free-will  Baptists 
in  the  United  States,  numbering  about  40,000  communicants,  are 
united  in  the  holy  cause  of  abolition.  Probably  we  should  have 
sent  a  delegation  to  your  Convention,  had  a  knowledge  of  its  ap- 
pointment reached  us  previous  to  our  anniversaries  in  1839.  In 
the  absence  of  such  a  delegation,  I  will  take  upon  myself  the  re- 
sponsibility of  making  some  statements  respecting  our  anti-slavery 
sentiments. 

As  a  people,  we  mourn  that  the  church  in  this  land  is  so  deeply 
involved  in  the  sin  of  slavery,  and  have  endeavored  to  keep  our 
garments  pure  and  unspotted  from  its  foul  stains.  We  neither  re- 
ceive into  our  churches,  nor  at  the  communion  table,  any  whose 
hands  are  polluted  with  slavery.  Our  Board  of  Foreign  Missions 
refuses  to  receive  any  donation  or  bequest  from  slave-holders,  on 
the  principle  that  their  wealth  is  the  wages  of  iniquity,  and  the 
jjrice  of  blood. 

Our  churches,  which  are  spread  over  about  half  the  United 
States,  meet  together  [by  delegation]  quarterly,  in  about  eighty  as- 
sociations. The  cause  of  the  down-trodden  slave  is  almost  invari- 
ably remembered  at  these  meetings,  facts  are  presented,  warm-heart- 
ed, stirring  addresses  are  given,  and  our  testimony  against  the 
wicked  system  of  slavery  is  repeated  in  the  form  of  recorded  res- 
olutions. These  associations,  being  held  from  church  to  church, 
have  been  effectual  in  scattering  much  light  and  in  tearing  away 
many  a  veil  which  sophistry  had  woven.  At  the  last  session  of 
our  General  Conference,  which  comprised  a  delegation  from  every 
portion  of  our  denomination,  our  anti-slaveiy  principles  were  prac- 
tically tested  in  a  public  manner.  Dr.  Housley,  a  slave-holding 
minister  from  Kentucky,  accompanied  with  high  recommendations, 
presented  himself,  desiring  admission  to  our  church.  Had  he  been 
received,  20,000  in  the  slaveholding  states  would  probably  have 


^.|-   . 


t^ixm 


400 


MEMOIRS    OF 


been  added  to  our  communion,  who  with  him  had  embraced  onr 
peculiar  denominational  tenets.  But  his  request  was  met  with  the 
prompt  answer,  that  he  could  not  be  received,  either  as  a  minister, 
or  a  member,  till  he  should  give  liberty  to  his  slaves. 

Probably,  a  principal  cause  of  the  union  of  the  Free-will  Bap- 
tists in  abolition  efforts,  is  the  righteous  course  pursued  by  the 
Morning  Star,  a  weekly  religious  periodical,  which  is  the  organ  of 
the  denomination.  May  heavenly  wisdom  guide  your  deliberations, 
and  direct  your  decisions. 

Yours  in  the  cause  of  the  slave, 

David  Marks." 

Sabbath,  May  10,  Mr.  Marks  was  laboring  under  much  indispo- 
sition, but  having  previously  accepted  an  invitation  to  preach  for 
Mr.  Dunbar,  pastor  of  the  Calvinistic  Baptist  church  in  McDougal 
street,  he  spoke  to  his  congregation  in  the  morning.  The  audience 
seemed  to  listen  with  much  interest,  and  in  almost  breathless  si- 
lence. At  the  close  of  the  sermon,  Mr.  Dunbar  said  to  the  peo- 
ple, "  Mr.  Marks  will  preach  to  you  in  the  afternoon.  I  have  not 
consulted  him,  fearing  he  will  decline,  and  believing  if  the  notice 
is  given  out,  he  will  not  dare  to  do  so.  I  venture  to  say  you  will 
not  be  disappointed.  I  shall  take  him  home  with  me,  and  shall 
not  allow  him  out  of  my  sight."  The  excitement  of  the  morning 
service  seemed  to  have  imparted  to  him  some  strength,  so  that  he 
spoke  in  the  afternoon  with  much  animation  and  apparent  effect. 
At  the  close  of  this  sermon  also,  Mr.  Dunbar  said  to  the  audience, 
that  the  same  speaker  would  address  them  again  in  the  evening, 
and  added,  "  I  have  not  dared  to  ask  his  consent,  lest  he  should  re- 
fuse." Mr.  Marks  now  made  remonstrance  on  account  of  his  ill- 
ness, but  it  was  all  useless.  He  endured  a  third  sermon  better  than 
he  anticipated.  This  church  had  ever  been  an  anti-slavery  church. 
It  was  organized  in  1809,  when  slaveiy  was  tolerated  in  the  state 
of  New  York.  At  that  time,  they  adopted  the  following  article  : 
"  We  believe  that  a  slaveholder,  or  one  who  traffics  in  human  be- 
ings, is  not  a  fit  member  for  a  gospel  church,  and  that  it  would  be 
sinful  for  such  a  church  knowingly  to  suffer  one  to  sit  down  and 
commune  with  them." 

Mr.  Dunbar  seemed  much  interested  in  Mr.  Marks,  and  urged 
him  to  make  his  arrangements  to  labor  in  the  city.  He  said, 
"There  is  a  great  destitution  of  laborers  here,  that  is,  of  such  as 
really  cai*e  for  souls.  There  are  many  thousands  in  this  city  who 
never  go  to  the  house  of  prayer ;  these  ought  to  be  visited,  and 
conversed  with.  You  can  do  vast  good  here.  There  are  many 
Free-will  Baptists,  and  many  General  Baptists  from  England,  in 
this  city,  and  they  want  a  home.    We  have  some  that  are  mem- 


our 
h  the 
lister, 

iBap- 
the 
tan  of 
ttions, 


DAVID  MARKS. 


40.1 


bers  of  our  church.  They  are  good  Christians,  but  tliey  are  not 
at  home  with  us.  They  do  not  believe  our  distinctive  sentiments. 
We  will  give  them  letters  of  commendation  to  join  you,  and  I  will 
help  you  all  I  can."  Mr.  Marks  objected,  that  a  difficulty  would 
arise  from  want  of  means  for  his  support.  Mr.  Dunbar  said : 
*'  There  will  be  no  difficulty  on  that  ground.  You  can  be  sustained 
here.  I  will  board  you  and  your  wife  for  the  actual  cost,  and  this 
I  can  do  for  $3,50  per  week."  He  continued  his  plea  till  he  made 
considerable  impression,  and  Mr.  Marks  began  seriously  to  think 
upon  the  subject. 

His  illness  continued  to  increase  till  he  found  himself  severely 
attacked  with  bilious  fever.  He  kept  his  bed  two  days,  and  feel- 
ing relieved  after  the  operation  of  powerful  medicines,  he  ventured 
to  take  a  steamboat  to  Albany,  and  thence  the  Erie  canal  westward, 
but  was  obliged  to  lie  most  of  the  time  in  his  berth.  The  follow- 
ing incidents  of  this  trip  he  wrote  for  the  Morning  Star.  "  I  had 
been  unable,  without  suffering  a  day's  detention,  to  get  a  passage 
in  a  Sabbath-keeping  boat,  and  while  Saturday  night  was  approach- 
ing, as  I  lay  confined  by  illness  most  of  the  time  to  my  berth,  the 
thoughts  of  getting  my  baggage  stored,  and  stopping  a  day  among 
strangers,  would  have  been  burdensome  and  gloomy,  were  it  not 
that  the  privilege  of  reverencing  God's  Sabbath  filled  my  soul  with 
inexpressible  peace.  Said  a  gentleman,  who  had  formerly  held  a 
high  office  in  the  state,  on  learning  tliat  I  was  going  to  leave  Sat- 
urday night :  '  You  do  wrong — ^you  ought  to  stay  here  over  the 
Sabbath.  I  heard  the  captain  say  he  was  going  to  ask  you  to 
preach  to-morrow.  You  may  do  much  good.  If  you  leave,  prob- 
ably there  will  be  no  religious  services  on  the  boat.'  His  reason- 
ing failed  to  convince  me  that  it  was  right  to  '  do  evil  that  good 
might  come,'  or  that  I  should  dare  to  ask  God's  blessing  on  my  la- 
bors, when  I  was  knowingly  breaking  his  commandments.  Two 
professing  Christian  ladies,  who  were  present,  feeling  that  their  in- 
tention of  travelling  was  silently  rebuked,  resumed  the  discussion, 
and  begr.n  to  plead,  that  in  their  case,  at  least,  it  was  excusable — 
they  were  travelling  alone,  should  spend  the  day  in  reading  the 
Bible,  &c.  Their  arguments  were  replied  to ;  they  seemed  lo  feel 
their  sophistry,  though  they  did  not  then  acknowledge  it,  and  re- 
mained silent.  At  length,  said  the  eldest  lady,  '  I  think  I  shall 
not  travel  to-morrow.  I  have  been  thinking  much  of  our  conver- 
sation. I  never  before  considered  it  in  this  light.  I  do  not  think 
because  it  is  attended  with  inconvenience  and  self-denial  to 
keep  the  commandments,  that  we  can  be  guiltless  in  disobedience.' 
On  arriving  at  Syracuse  early  Saturday  evening,  I  could  but  give 
thanks  to  Him  who  *  tempereth  the  wind  to  the  shorn  lamb,'  as 
unexpectedly  we  came  '  along  side'  a  beautiful  Sabbath-keeping 
34* 


3 


'  >  '  >  3b 


•;j 


/M 


S  Yi 


'       If'. 


"   .i't    '.V- 


^tri 


>  I 

14  r- 


402 


MEMOIRS    OP 


boat,  an  incident  which  precluded  any  expense  of  my  strength  in 
the  care  of  my  luggage.  I  immediately  introduced  myself  to  El- 
der Blain,  pastor  of  the  Calvinistic  Baptist  church  in  Syracuse,  who 
receive^  me,  not  as  a  stranger,  but  welcomed  me  as  a  '  brother  be- 
loved.' The  ensuing  Sabbath  was  indeed  to  me  a  day  of  joy. 
The  sweet  peace  and  animation  that  filled  my  soul,  seemed  to  in- 
vigomte  all  my  physical  powers,  so  that,  much  to  ray  OAvn  surprise, 
I  was  enabled  to  comply  with  the  kind  invitation  of  brother  Blain 
to  preach  Christ  to  his  people.  One  effort,  however,  brought  on 
so  much  weakness,  that  I  dared  not  yield  to  his  often  repeated  re- 
quest to  address  them  again,  but  O  it  was  sweet  to  be  in  the  sanc- 
tuary. 

Sabbath  evening,  I  listened  to  an  address  from  Mr.  Stillman,  an 
agent  for  the  American  Bethel  Society,  and  never  before  did  the 
sweet  charities  of  Christian  benevolence,  aiming  to  convert  this 
wicked  world  into  a  new  "  Eden  of  moral  loveliness,"  seem  to  me 
so  inexpressibly  delightful.  Mr.  Stillman  stated,  that  it  had  been 
ascertained  by  a  careful  examintttion,  that  within  ten  years,  the 
amount  of  crime  punishable  by  law  in  the  state  of  New  York  had 
much  decreased.  [This  result  had  doubtless  been  produced  by  the 
temperance  reform  and  the  great  revivals  of  religion.]  Yet  it 
was  a  startling  fact,  that  half  these  crimes  have  been  committed 
on  the  Erie  canal,  and  the  cause  of  this  disproportion  was  clearly 
traceable  to  the  disregard  of  the  Sabbath.  All  the  lines  of  boats, 
with  one  noble  exception,  run  on  the  Sabbath.  Boatmen  and  dri- 
vers are  effectually  excluded  from  the  blessings  of  this  land  of 
Sabbaths.  Professors  of  religion,  and  even  professed  mmisters  of 
that  Savior,  who  came  '  not  to  destroy  the  law,'  are  often  found 
on  the  boats  on  God's  holy  day.  The  consequence  of  this  state  of 
things  is  a  horrid  amount  of  profanity,  intemperance,  licentious- 
ness, and  numberless  other  crimes  that  imbrute  and  ruin  the  soul : 
and  for  this.  Christians  are  responsible. 

Mr.  Stillman  recommended  that  a  complaint  be  entered  against 
every  church  member  that  should  be  guilty  of  the  sin  of  Sabbath 
travelling  on  the  canal,  and  that  the  discipline  of  the  church  be  as 
impartially  exercised  i^ion  those  that  violate  the  fourth  command- 
ment, as  upon  those  that  violate  the  sixth  or  seventh.  My  soul 
shuddered  as  I  listened  to  his  portrayal  of  the  crimes  and  wretch- 
edness he  had  himself  witnessed.  Among  the  cases  of  ruin  that 
he  named,  were  two  boys,  sons  of  widows,  about  twelve  or  thirteen 
years  of  age  !  who  had  been  employed  as  drivers.  They  died  the 
past  winter,  and  when  he  saw  them,  they  were  almost  literally 
eaten  up  with  that  most  awful  disease  which  God  ever  inflicted  on 
man,  as  the  immediate  consequence  of  crime.  Mr.  Stillman  an- 
nounced the  pleasing  intelligence,  that  the  Bethel  Society  had  en- 


P 


DAVID    MARKS. 


403 


gaged  a  devoted  minister  to  labor  constantly  as  a  missionary  on  the 
canal  till  the  close  of  navigation,  going  from  boat  to  boat,  and  con- 
vei"sing  with  the  captains,  crews,  and  drivers.  He  liad  already  vis- 
ited five  hundred  boats,  and  in  no  one  instance  had  been  treated 
with  the  least  unkindness  or  disrespect.  The  captains  and  boat- 
men generally  told  him  they  would  be  glad  to  rest  on  the  Sabbath, 
but  the  owners  of  boats  refused.  Several  capitalists  whom  he  vis- 
ited, said  they  were  willing,  on  their  part,  that  their  boats  should 
lie  still  on  the  Lord's  day,  but  the  western  merchants  would  re- 
fuse to  patronize  them.  Many  of  these  western  merchants  are 
professors  of  religion  V'      *         * 

On  Monday  morning,  Mr.  Marks  resumed  his  journey  on  the 
canal,  and  by  the  time  of  his  arrival  in  western  New  York,  his 
health  had  much  improved.  From  the  27th  of  May  to  the  18th  of 
June,  he  attended  appointments  previously  notified,  extending  through 
the  Erie,  Chatauque,  and  French  Creek  quarterly  meetings,  preach- 
ing usually  from  one  to  three  times  in  a  day.  June  19 — 21,  he 
attended  the  Holland  Purchase  yearly  meeting  in  Bethany,  and 
preached  on  the  Sabbath,  standing  in  one  of  the  windows  of  the 
meeting  house,  as  not  half  of  the  vast  concourse  could  get  inside  of 
the  house. 

Immediately  after  the  yearly  meeting,  he  was  attacked  on  his 
way  to  Rochester  with  a  disease  in  his  throat,  attended  with  a  very 
severe  cough,  and  which  confined  him  to  his  bed  a  few  days. 
A  physician,  whom  he  called,  said  it  was  an  attack  of  the  bron- 
chitis, and  that  he  must  for  a  time  entirely  desist  from  preaching.  He 
soon  began  to  amend,  but  being  prohibited  from  public  speaking,  he 
went  to  Canada  the  early  part  of  July,  and  spent  a  few  weeks  at 
his  father-in-law's,  writing  a  treatise  on  the  "  Design  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,"  which  was  afterwards  published  by  the  Book  Concern, 
with  three  other  essays,  in  a  volume,  entitled  Free  Communionist. 
The  following  incidents,  connected  with  this  visit  to  Canada,  he 
wrote  for  the  Morning  Star. 

"On  approaching  the  Canadian  shore,  Gen.  Br'  k's  stately 
monument  on  Queenston  heights  appeared  a  proff  lent  object. 
From  the  accounts  in  the  public  journals  of  its  having  oeen  '  blown 
up,'  I  had  received  the  impression  that  it  lay  a  mass  of  ruins.  At 
a  distance,  no  change  in  its  appearance  is  perceptible ;  but  on  a 
nearer  approach,  the  ruthless  work  of  the  enemy  was  clearly  dis- 
cernible. The  monument  was  riven  from  its  base  to  its  top-stone, 
a  distance  of  about  125  feet  *  *  I  was  every  where  kindly  re- 
ceived and  cordially  welcomed.  Indeed,  I  never  travelled  among 
a  more  hospitable  people  than  the  Upper  Canadians.  In  my  jour- 
neyings  in  the  province,  I  have  frequently  called  among  entire 
strangers,  and  met  with  almost  reproofs  for  ofiering  to  pay  for  fa- 


-i-'li  I'-yl 


.  'I ' 


-V. 


.>H  ■ 


^-fL';''  f-.| 


i";  "-i' 


404 


ItEMOms    OP 


vors  I  had  asketl ;  nor  had  the  hite  commotions  ahcred  their  char- 
acter in  this  respect.  Much  of  the  country  is  delightfully  situated, 
and  tlie  soil  is  equal  to  western  New  York.  Some  sections  are 
fast  improving.  Woodstock,  [in  the  town  of  Oxford,]  the  principal 
village  of  Brock  District,  has  sprung  into  being  with  the  rapidity 
characteristic  of  the  villages  of  our  western  states.  It  has  an  ele- 
gant Court  House,  and,  together  with  its  vicinity,  contains  the 
beautiful  seats  of  several  of  the  English  gentry.  Five  different  de- 
nominations hold  meetings  in  this  village  every  Sabbath  :  the  Epis- 
copalian, Scotch  Kirk,  Free-communion  Baptist,  Methodist,  and 
Clinstian.  The  latter  is  distinct  from  the  sect  of  that  name  in  the 
United  States.  Their  denomination  arose  in  Wales.  Among  their 
distinguishing  peculiarities,  is  the  order  of  their  meetings.  When 
they  assemble  for  '  worship,^  they  all  sit  together,  and  do  not  al- 
low those  they  consider  impenitent  to  mingle  with  them.  On  such 
occasions,  they  have  no  one  selected  to  preach  to  them,  but  any  one 
who  chooses  may  speak,  or  pray,  or  engage  in  any  act  of  worship, 
to  which  his  views  of  duty  may  lead  him.  They  have  separate 
meetings,  in  which  they  preach  to  the  wicked,  but  these  they  do 
not  call  meetings  of  worship.  Our  Free-communion  Baptist  breth- 
ren, so  far  as  I  could  learn,  were  prospering.  Their  church  in  the 
village  of  Woodstock  is  flourishing.  Tliey  have  a  house  of  wor- 
ship, a  respectable  congregation,  a  good  Sabbath  school,  and  enjoy 
the  labors  of  an  excellent  and  talented  pastor.  A  few  months  since, 
they  were  blessed  with  a  precious  revival.  In  the  vicinity  of  Long 
Point,  the  Free-communion  brethren  were  sharing  one  of  the  most 
powerful  revivals  that  has  ever  visited  that  section  of  country. 

Our  brethren  of  the  London  quarterly  meeting  are  in  a  very 
scattered  state.  The  rebellion  had  a  disastrous  effect  on  the 
churches  of  this  association.  A  large  proportion  of  the  members, 
and  some  of  the  preachers,  fearing  the  troubles  and  distress  of  a 
tedious  war,  emigrated  to  Michigan,  Illinois,  &c.  Thpse  that  were 
left  thought  it  Avas  useless  to  struggle  any  longer  against  the  op- 
posing influences  that  surrounded  them,  and  concluded  to  give  up 
their  quarterly  meeting.  Time  passed  on,  yet  they  could  not  rest 
satisfied.  At  length  a  few  brethren  met  together,  and  after  a  sea- 
son of  weeping  and  prayer,  they  determined  on  making  another  ef- 
fort to  renew  the  quarterly  meeting.  They  have  only  two  minis- 
ters left  them. 

During  ray  stay  in  the  province,  the  colored  people,  to  the  num- 
ber of  about  two  hundred,  held  a  camp  meeting  in  Norwich,  a  town 
a  few  miles  distant  from  Woodstock.  Most  of  these  were  fugitives 
escaped  from  republican  slavery.  The  meeting  was  attended  with 
the  Divine  blessing,  and  gained  the  reputation  of  h  iT^ng  been  one 
of  the  most  solemn,  orderly  meetings  of  the  kind  over  held  in  the 


DAVID   MARKS. 


405 


ted, 
are 
pal 
Llity 
ele- 
the 
de- 


province.  I  heard  many  contradictory  opinions  respecting  the 
character  of  the  negro  fugitives.  Some  represent  them  as  most  de- 
graded and  wicked,— others  say  they  are  grateful  for  favors,  up- 
right, moral,  and  industrious.  The  testimony  gathered  from  those 
who  best  knew  them,  as  well  as  from  facts  that  fell  under  my  own 
observation,  generally  corroborated  the  latter  opinion.  Doubtless, 
there  is  every  variety  of  character  among  them,  as  they  partake  of 
the  depravity  common  to  man,  and  probably  are  as  bad,  or  nearly 
so,  as  white  people  would  be  in  the  same  circumstances.  Bred 
from  infancy  amid  scenes  of  oppression,  cruelty,  and  licentiousness, 
sunk  in  ignorance,  and  unrestrained  by  moral  or  religious  consider- 
ations, it  would  be  contrary  to  the  laws  which  govern  mind,  and 
indeed  would  amount  to  a  miracle,  were  they,  without  the  use  of 
means,  to  be  metamorphosed  instantly  into  b^'ings  of  great  moral  or 
intellectual  worth. 

There  is  much  work  in  this  province  for  the  temperance  society, 
as  there  is  much  intemperance,  especially  among  the  higher  class ; 
that  is,  what  '  temperance  folks*  call  intemperance, — though  per- 
haps the  devotees  of  fashionable  custom  might  think  this  a  slander- 
ous accusation.  Some  of  the  ministers  of  the  Scotch  Kirk  have  re- 
cently engaged  in  the  cause  with  an  ardor  becoming  their  profes- 
sion, and  are  exerting  a  great  influence  in  reforming  the  dissipated 
habits  of  their  people.  If  the  ministers  of  the  established  church 
would  follow  their  example,  incalculable  good  to  Canada  would  be 
the  result.  The  Scotch  and  English  inhabitants  are  generally 
members  of  their  respective  churches,  and  are  very  punctual  in 
their  attendance  upon  their  Sabbath  services.  They  also  refrain 
from  some  sins  on  that  day  in  which  they  indulge  on  other  days. 
They  look  upon  it  as  very  '  heathenish*  not  to  be  a  member  of 
some  church,  while  their  lives  evince  that  the  power  which  pro- 
duces a  change  in  the  aflfections  and  conduct,  is  generally  wanting. 
There  is  great  need  of  more  humble,  holy,  evangelical  ministers, 
who,  alike  regardless  of  praise  or  censure,  shall  boldly  tell  the  peo- 
ple, that  the  swearer,  the  gambler,  the  fornicator,  the  adulterer, 
though  he  may  belong  to  a  church  below,  can  have  no  inheritance 
in  the  kingdom  of  God." 

Mr.  Marks  returned  to  New  York  in  September,  having  preach- 
ed little  for  two  months.  His  throat  was  apparently  well,  and  he 
now  resumed  the  employment  he  so  passionately  loved.  From  the 
1st  of  Oct.  to  the  loth  of  November,  he  visited  and  preached  with 
fifty  churches  in  the  Monroe,  Penfield,  Yates,  Genesee,  Erie,  and 
Chatauque  quarterly  meetings.  As  winter  approached,  he  deemed 
it  prudent  to  locate  for  a  season.  Accordingly,  he  accepted  a  call 
to  labor  half  the  time  with  the  church  in  the  little  village  of  Varys- 
burg,  in  the  town  of  Sheldon,  Wyoming  Co.,  where  he  again  cora- 


!tl  ,     -.  .V.'., 


h^0: 


h      i. 


't 


406 


MEMOIRS    OP 


menced  housc-kccping.  Tlie  Shc^klon  High  School,  under  the  pat- 
ronage of  the  Holland  Purchase  yearly  meeting,  was  located  here, 
and  was  in  a  flourishing  condition.  He  commenced  his  labors  in 
December.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  month,  he  held  a  protracted 
meeting  in  Portage,  a  village  on  the  Genesee  river,  noted  for  its 
irreligion,    about   twenty  miles    distant  from    Varysburg.      The 


meeting 


was  blessed   to   the  conversion   of  several.     Ho  organ- 


ized a  church,  consisting  at  first  of  twelve  members,  and  engaged 
to  labor  with  them  half  the  time  for  a  season.  The  church  soon 
had  several  additions,  and  they  immediately  commenced  building  a 
house  of  worship.  He  now  applied  himself  very  laboriously  to  his 
pastoral  duties,  visiting  and  praying  not  only  with  the  members  of 
his  own  and  other  churches,  but  with  the  people  g'>nerally.  In- 
deed, there  were  few,  if  any,  families  in  Varysburg  and  its  vicini- 
ty, with  whom  he  did  not  have  personal  religious  conversation  and 
prayer.  He  also  met  a  class  of  four  young  ministers  weekly, 
(three  of  them  members  of  the  school,)  to  whom  he  gave  instruc- 
tion and  criticised  their  skeletons  prepared  for  the  occasion. 

Varysburg  had  for  some  time  been  a  very  wicked  village.  In- 
temperance, and  its  kindred  vices,  had  long  blighted  its  moral  pros- 
pects, and  sectarian  bigotry  had  paralyzed  the  efforts  of  God's  min- 
isters. Mr.  Marks  could  find  no  rest  for  his  spirit  amidst  such  a 
state  of  things.  He  determined  to  commence  a  series  of  efforts  to 
remove  this  pall  of  death,  and  labor  with  a  faithfulness,  which,  at 
least,  should  clear  his  garments  from  the  blood  of  the  people.  He 
was  aware  that  it  would  be  a  long  and  severe  struggle,  but  his  trust 
was  in  God,  and  he  had  faith  in  the  power  of  his  Avord.  He  knew 
it  to  be  mighty  to  the  pulling  down  of  the  strong  holds  of  satan. 
Sometime  in  January,  he  commenced  a  protracted  meeting,  preach- 
ing from  two  to  three  times  a  day,  at  the  same  time  holding  in- 
quiry meetings,  and  visiting  from  house  to  house.  Thus  he  toiled 
for  three  weeks,  with  little  apparent  effect.  Some  of  the  members 
of  the  church  had  taken  hold  well  in  the  work,  some  backsliders 
had  been  reclaimed,  and  a  few  converted.  But  many  that  were 
serious  soon  arter  the  commencement  of  the  meeting,  had  harden- 
ed their  hearts  ;  the  students,  on  whose  minds  it  was  evident  con- 
viction had  fastened,  seemed  leagued  together  to  resist  religious  in- 
fluences ;  the  faith  of  Christians  that  they  should  see  a  revival  be- 
gan to  fail,  and  the  visible  prospect  of  a  general  work  was  dark  in- 
deed. At  this  period,  Mr.  Marks'  agony  of  spirit  was  almost  over- 
powering. He  felt  that  if  Christians  relaxed  their  efforts,  there 
would  be  little  hope  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  Varysburg.  His 
mind  was  now  led  almost  constantly  to  the  subject  of  death.  He 
felt  that  it  was  about  to  visit  the  people,  and  so  powerful  was  the 
impression,  that  he  several  times  mentioned  in  public,  that  he  be- 


^4« 


rt 


DAVID   MARKS. 


407 


lieved  that  death  was  going  to  sweep  through  the  place,  and  carry 
mourning  into  many  famihcs  ;  and  at  the  same  time,  he  entreated 
tlie  people  in  the  most  moving  and  pathetic  manner,  to  prepare  for 
its  approach.  A  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  was  now  held  for  the 
conversion  of  the  students  ;  and  on  this  occasion,  Mr.  Marks  preach- 
ed a  funeral  sermon  for  the  first  individual  of  the  congregation  that 
should  die.  It  was  evident  that  deep  impressions  were  made,  and 
in  the  evening  many  crowded  the  altar  for  prayer,  trembling,  and 
confessing  their  need  of  Christ ;  and,  to  the  great  joy  of  Christians, 
several  professed  to  find  pardon.  The  scene  was  jrlorious  and  aw- 
fully solemn  on  account  of  the  Divine  preseiice  ;  and  for  a  few 
succeeding  days,  the  place  seemed  almost  shaken  by  the  power  of 
God.  Mr.  Marks  remarked  that  he  never  before  saw  so  many  in 
one  place  so  deeply  affected  by  the  truth,  neither  had  he  ever  seen 
so  much  resistance  to  its  power.  lie  doubted  whether  there  was  an 
individual  in  the  village,  or  within  some  distance  of  the  village,  that 
was  not  solemnly  impressed.  Some  dared  not  attend  the  meeting, 
lest  they  should  be  converted  ;  others  would  leave  the  village  un- 
der pretence  of  business.  Two  gentlemen,  of  perhaps  as  much 
talent  and  influence  as  any  in  the  place,  agreed,  in^derision  of  the 
work,  that  if  one  would  arise  for  prayer,  the  other  would.  Accord- 
ingly when  an  opportunity  was  presented,  one  of  them  arose ;  but 
no  sooner  was  he  on  his  feet,  than  it  came  powerfully  to  his  con- 
science, that  he  had  gone  too  far  in  so  solemn  a  matter,  and,  yield- 
ing instantly  to  his  convictions,  he  spoke  almost  before  he  was 
aware,  confessing  himself  a  great  sinner,  and  saying  that  he  was 
resolved  to  seek  the  Savior.  The  assembly  seemed  electrified,  and 
Christians  began  to  feel  that  nothing  was  too  hard  for  the  Lord. 
This  gentleman  was  soon  after  converted,  and  became  a  zealous  la- 
borer in  the  work.  His  comrade  dared  not  arise.  Soon  after- 
wards, he  too  was  numbered  with  the  sincere  inquirers  for  salva- 
tion, and,  with  his  wife,  professed  to  find  peace  in  submission  to 
Christ.  The  work  spread  amidst  much  opposition,  till  about  sixty 
were  converted,  including  some  that  were  entirely  backslidden ; 
and  a  much  greater  number,  it  was  believed,  resisted  the  convic- 
tions of  their  duty.  Such  was  the  grief  of  Mr.  Marks  on  this  ac- 
count, that  he  could  hardly  rejoice  for  the  success  the  truth  had 
gained.  During  the  progress  of  the  work,  still  feeling  deeply  im- 
pressed with  the  idea  that  the  desolating  tide  of  death  was  about 
to  roll  through  the  place,  he  appointed  another  day  of  fasting  and 
prayer  for  the  conversion  of  twelve  of  the  most  influential  business 
men  in  the  vicinity,  and  on  the  occasion,  preached  a  funeral  ser- 
mon for  the  first  of  the  number  who  should  die. 

Immediately  after  the  close  of  the  protracted  meeting,    (which 
continued  about  eight  weeks,)  a  disease,  to  which  the  physicians 


.,■■1 


^'ii 


*  1' .  ;  > 


i,'""  !'. ''4;. 


M;.' 


Km. 


408 


MEMOinS    OF 


■> 


gave  no  namr,  commonccd  its  fearful  ravages  in  this  hitherlo 
liealthful  vale.  It  partook  of  the  symptoms  of  spotted  fever  and 
erysipehw.  Its  first  victim  was  an  individual  who  hnd  not  attend- 
ed the  meeting,  consequently  it  could  not  be  said  that  excitement 
and  exposure  to  evening  air,  originated  the  malady.  It  soon  raged 
with  a  most  alarming  fatality,  and  in  a  few  days,  more  than  thirty 
in  Varysburg  and  vicinity,  within  the  limits  of  two  miles,  were  sud- 
denly luirried  to  eternity.  One  of  the  twelve  for  whom  a  day  of 
fasting  and  prayer  was  held,  was  of  this  number.  Few  families 
were  left  unvisited  by  this  dreadful  sickness,  and  there  were  scarce- 
ly persons  enough  in  health  to  take  care  of  the  sick.  Some  lived 
but  a  few  hours  after  they  were  seized,  and  in  some  cases  the 
bodies  were  so  putrid  that  they  were  obliged  to  be  buried  in  five 
or  six  hours  after  they  had  ceased  to  breathe.  Those  that  recov- 
ered, in  many  instances,  regained  their  health  very  slowly.  It  was 
a  remarkable  circumstance,  and  one  that  was  frequently  named, 
that  not  one  of  the  converts  or  the  reclaimed,  fell  a  victim  to  the 
disease.  Several  of  the  number  that  died  were  Christians,  and  left 
the  world  rejoicing.  Others  died  without  hope.  Afler  the  sick- 
ness began  to  rage,  there  were  no  more  cases  of  conversion.  The 
impenitent  trembled  in  view  of  this  judgment,  while  Jf;«ir  and  anxi- 
ety sat  upon  their  countenances.  Still  the^  refusod  i-z  repent  and 
give  glory  to  God.  They  did  not  know  the  time  of  iheir  visitation  j 
and  now  it  seemed  to  be  hid  from  their  eyes. 

In  the  month  of  April,  1841,  Mr.  Marks  received  a  letter  from 
a  brother  in  the  city  of  New  York,  spreading  out  before  him  the 
great  field  then  opened  for  Free-will  Baptists  to  do  good  in  tha^ 
city,  and  urging  him  to  occupy  it  without  delay.  He  offered  to  be- 
come responsible,  on  certain  conditions^  for  the  rent  of  a  hall  for 
public  worship,  and  said  there  would  be  no  difficulty  in  raising 
means  for  his  support.  Such  was  the  interesting  state  of  thiiigs  at 
Varysburg,  and  the  victory  that  had  been  gained,  had  been  achiev- 
ed at  such  expense,  that  Mr.  Marks  did  not  feel  at  liberty  to  leave 
immediately,  and  accordingly  returaed  an  answer  that  he  thought 
he  would  go  the  ensuing  autumn.  He  soon  received  a  reply,  say- 
ing that,  on  several  accounts,  the  spring  would  be  the  most  favora- 
ble for  commencing  a  meeting,  and  if  he  could  not  come  immediate- 
ly, it  would  be  best  to  defer  it  till  another  spring.  This  he  pre- 
ferred, as  it  gave  him  more  time  for  preparation. 

In  June,  he  attended  the  Holland  Purchase  yearly  meeting,  and 
was  appointed  a  delegate  to  the  General  Conference,  which  was  to 
convene  the  ensuing  October  in  Topsham,  Me.  He  was  also  ap- 
pointed a  delegate  with  two  other  brethren,  to  the  New  York 
Christian  Anti-slavery  Convention,  to  meet  in  Auburn,  June  23, 
to  deliberate  on  the  duty  of  the  church  in  regard  to  slavery.    The 


l!' 


dso  ap- 

r  York 

1 

line  23, 

.    The 

1* 

DAVID  MABKS. 


409 


yearly  meeting  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Convention,  taking  high 
ground  on  the  slavery  quostion.  At  the  day  appointed,  more  than 
two  hundred  ministers  and  brethren,  of  diflferent  evangelical  denom- 
inations, assembled  in  the  large  Methodist  stone  chapel,  where  a 
year  before  even  an  anti-slaveiy  notice  was  not  allowed  to  be  road. 
The  Convention  continued  in  session  two  days.  The  letter  from 
the  Holland  Purchase  yearly  meeting  was  listened  to  with  much 
interest  by  the  Convention,  and  a  vote  was  taken  to  publish  it  with 
the  minutes.  There  was  much  warm,  interesting,  and  animated 
discussion  on  the  different  resolutions,  in  which  Mr.  Marks  took  a 
part,  and  which  lie  briefly  reported  for  the  Morning  Star. 

July  4,  he  attended  a  temperance  convention  at  Wyoming  vil- 
lage, met  for  forming  a  county  society  for  the  new  coiuity  of  Wy- 
oming, recently  set  off  from  Genesee,  embracing  thirteen  towns'. 
The  assembly,  amounting  to  about  two  thousand,  was  convened 
under  the  dense  foliage  of  an  ornamental  forest,  belonging  to  the 
mansion  of  Mr.  J.  C.  Ferris.  *A  very  ingenious  and  interesting 
"  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  of  War,  against  King  Alcohol," 
was  drawn  up  much  in  the  language  of  our  national  declaration  of 
independence. 

In  compliance  with  the  invitation  of  several  gentlemen  in  War- 
saw, Mr.  Marks  preached  a  discourse  with  much  acceptance  in  that 
village  on  the  following  question  :  "  Is  it  consistent  with  the  Cliris- 
tian  religion  to  vote  for  a  pro-slavery  candidate  for  any  office  af- 
fecting the  rights  of  the  slave  ?"  His  text  was  Exodus,  18:21. 
"  Moreover  thou  shalt  provide  out  of  all  the  people,  able  men,  such 
as  fear  Grod,  men  of  truth,  hating  covetousness,  and  place  such  over 
them,  to  be  rulers  of  thousands,  and  rulers  of  hundreds,  rulers  of 
fifties,  and  rulers  of  tens."  Also,  2  Sam.  23:3.  "  He  that  ruleth 
over  men  must  Ije  just,  ruling  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord." 

Having  made  provision  for  supplying  his  two  churches  with 
preacliing  for  two  months,  he  set  out  with  his  companion  in  his  own 
conveyance  for  the  General  Conference  in  Maine.  On  his  journey 
he  visited  his  father  in  Tyre,  and  as  he  purposed  giving  him  S50, 
toward  building  him  a  small  house,  he  concluded  to  make  some 
purchases  of  lumber  for  him.  For  this  object,  he  went  to  Clyde,  a 
village  on  the  canal,  about  six  miles  from  Tyre,  and  as  he  supposed 
was  seen  paying  out  money.  He  left  Clyde  to  return  to  his  father's 
at  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  after  riding  about  half  a  mile 
from  the  village,  he  got  out  of  his  carriage  and  passed  around  to 
the  back  part  to  take  out  some  fruit.  While  thus  engaged,  a  stran- 
ger accosted  him,  sajring,  "  Sir,  you  must  go  with  me.  I  am  an 
officer,  and  have  a  warrant  for  you."  Without  any  suspicion  or 
fear,  he  replied,  "  You  must  be  mistaken  in  the  person  you  are 
seeking.  I  am  a  minister.  My  name  is  David  JSiarks."  "  No, 
that  is  the  very  name.  I  am  not  mistaken. .  You  must  go  with  me, 
35 


^r 


\   '  '« 

v,l 

■  1  ■■ 

■  •*?, '. 

;       •    ■> 

<  ll 


S 


*. 


1  ....I- ,     ,    • 

■¥i'    ' 

■^- '  ; 

-  .,•■■',:  /^-\: 

^■I'l 

'*--^ti 

IImIbM 

410 


MEMOIRS    OF 


and  it  will  be  useless  for  you  to  resist."  Glancing  nt  him,  lin  «?nw 
by  the  light  of  the  moon  that  he  was  shabbily  (IreSfH-il,  an<l  from  all 
the  circumstances,  he  felt  satisfied  that  he  wa.s  a  robber.  Looking 
around,  he  perceived  that  he  was  in  a  "dug-way,"  surroundrd  l)y 
woods  and  no  house  in  sight.  He  stepped  forward,  caught  his 
horse's  reins,  and  sprang  on  the  forward  end  of  his  carriage  without 
waiting  to  get  hi.  Instantly,  the  stranger  seized  his  hoi-se  by  the 
bitfl.  Mr.  Marks  asked  him  to  show  liim  his  warrant.  lie  said, 
"  I  will,"  and  putting  his  hand  into  his  pocket,  took  out  something 
that  glistened  in  the  moon-light  like  bright  steel,  and  resembled  in  ap- 
pearance the  muzzle  of  a  pistol.  Mr.  Marks  sat  perfectly  self-pos- 
sessed, with  the  reins  firmly  grasped  in  one  hiuid,  and  his  whip  over 
his  shoulder,  watching  every  movement  of  the  robber.  He  judged 
that  there  was  some  difficulty  about  his  pistol  that  he  was  unable 
to  remove  with  one  hand.  At  length,  he  stepped  directly  before 
the  horse,  and  let  go  the  bits.  Instantly,  Mr.  Marks  struck  his 
horse  a  heavy  blow,  at  the  same  time,  reining  him  a  little  one 
side.  He  sprang  several  feet  the  first  bound,  and  flew  over  the  log 
cross-way  with  great  speed.  "When  the  robber  saw  his  prey  hud 
escaped,  he  set  up  a  terrible  cry,  and  threw  a  volley  of  stones, 
which,  however,  were  harmless  in  their  effects.  After  Mr.  Marks 
found  himself  safe,  a  sense  of  his  narrow  escape  from  a  violent 
death  so  overcame  him  that  he  could  scarcely  sit  in  his  carriage. 
Considerable  pains  were  taken  to  detect  the  robber,  but  without 
success.  Shortly  afterwards,  in  nearly  the  same  place,  another 
stranger  was  attacked  in  a  similar  manner,  by  a  person  of  a  similar 
appearance.     He  knocked  the  robber  down  and  then  fled. 

Prosecuting  his  journey,  Mr.  Marks  stopped  a  night  in  Peter- 
boro*  with  Mr.  Gerritt  Smith,  in  whose  kind  family  he  was  very 
:  affectionately  received,  and  with  whom  he  had  an  exceedingly  in- 
teresting interview.  The  Saturday  following,  he  arrived  at  Clin- 
ton Seminary,  an  institution  the  Free-will  and  Free-communion 
Baptists  had  recently  purchased.  It  was  free  of  access  to  all  with- 
out distinction  of  color,  and  was  in  a  flourishing  condition.  Mr. 
Marks  preached  four  sermons  in  Clinton. 

September  8,  he  attended  the  Free-communion  Baptist  General 
Conference  at  Ames,  ]Nfontgomery  county.  This  Conference  was 
composed  of  fifty-eight  churches,  and.  was  to  decide  the  issue  of  the 
negotiation  that  had  been  for  some  time  going  on,  for  a  union  with 
the  Free-will  Baptists.  Thirty-two  of  the  churches  reported  in  fa- 
vor of  union,  tliirteen  opposed,  and  thirteen  made  no  report.  Con- 
sidering the  nature  of  the  business,  the  session  was  very  harmoni- 
ous. A  resolution  was  passed,  saying  that  they  considered  the 
names  Free  Baptist,  Free-communion  Baptist.  Open-communion 
Baptist,  Free-will  Baptist,  as  significant  of  the  same  people.  Three 


its 


DAVID   MARKS. 


411 


f 


10.  snw 
I'oin  all 
iOokin;5 
(ltd  l»y 

;lit  liLs 
kvithout 

by  the 
It!  said, 
nothing 

I  in  iip- 

L'H-po8- 

lip  over 

judged 

unable 

before 

uck  his 

ttle  one 

the  log 

rey  had 

['  stones, 

'.  Marks 

I  violent 

carriage. 

,  without 

another 

a  similar 

n  Peter- 
was  very 
lingly  in- 
[  at  Clin- 
oamunion 
all  witli- 
on.     Mr. 

,  General 
•ence  was 
;ue  of  the 
nion  with 
ted  in  fa- 
rt. Con- 
harmoni- 
iered  the 
»mmunion 
le.  Three 


legates  were  appointed  to  the  Free-will  Baptist  General  Confer- 
Ci.ce,  who  were  instru<'ted  to  present  a  request  for  the  admission  of 
their  churches,  to  meinbersliip  with  that  body. 

The  ensuing  Satunlay  evening,  Mr.  Marks  arrived  in  Troy. 
The  AVa>»hingtonian  temperance  refonn  was  exciting  much  atten- 
tion. Learning  there  was  a  street  temperance  meeting,  he  attend- 
ed, and  being  called  upon  by  the  gentleman  whom  he  accompanied, 
he  addressed  the  meeting  a  few  moments.  At  its  close,  he  was  re- 
(juested  to  lecture  on  temperance  the  next  day  in  the  street  in  West 
Troy.  Sabbath  morning,  he  preached  a  sermon  on  temperance  in 
East  Troy,  and  then  attended  worship  in  Dr.  Heman's  church.  At 
the  close  of  the  afternoon  service,  he  preached  on  temperance  in  the 
street  in  West  Troy,  and  in  the  evening,  preached  by  request  in 
the  Methodist  chapel.  The  audience  was  large ;  it  was  a  season  of 
much  solemnity  and  weeping,  and  several  presented  themselves  for 
prayer.  Monday  morning  at  sunrise,  he  gave  another  street  lec- 
ture in  East  Troy,  according  to  a  previous  appointment. 

Continuing  his  journey,  he  attended  ;  few  meetings  by  the  way, 
and  lectured  again  on  temperance  in  the  street  in  East  Arlington, 
Vt.,  and  in  Pittsfield,  N.  H.  In  the  latter  place,  he  spent  a  week 
with  Elder  D.  P.  Cilley,  and  preached  a  few  sermons.  Sabbath, 
Oct.  3,  he  spent  in  Portsmouth.  He  had  heard  of  the  temperance 
reform  in  that  place,  but  was  hardly  prepared  for  the  reception  he 
met,  and  the  change  he  saw.  Instead  of  the  contempt  and  reproach 
that  he  used  to  meet,  even  in  the  street,  for  the  carrying  out  of  his 
temperance  principles,  the  people  seemed  to  delight  to  do  him  hon- 
or. After  preaching  twice  during  the  day,  he  lectured  on  temper- 
ance in  the  public  market  to  a  large  crowd.  A  temperance  meet- 
ing, appointed  for  the  evening  in  one  of  the  houses  of  worship,  was 
adjourned  to  the  Free-will  Baptist  house,  on  learning  that  Mr. 
ISIarks  would  be  there.  He  gave  them  a  short  address,  which  was 
received  with  much  enthusiasm.  Next  morning,  the  people  made 
him  up  a  purse  of  several  doUai-s,  and,  as  it  siormed  violently,  they 
gave  out  notice,  without  consulting  him,  that,  he  would  attend  a 
meeting  in  the  afternoon,  and  industriously  circulated  it  among  the 
sailors.  But  the  fury  of  the  storm  abating,  he  could  not  be  per- 
suaded to  remain,  as  he  had  scarcely  time  to  reach  Topsham  by  the 
opening  of  the  Conference.  His  road  lay  along  the  Atlantic  coast. 
The  ocean  was  rolling  tremendous  waves,  and  with  their  white 
caps,  presented  a  more  sublime  and  terrific  spectacle  than  hfe  had 
ever  before  witnessed  upon  this  great  "  high  way  of  nations." 
Shortly  afterwards,  it  was  ascertained  that  many  boats  were 
wrecked,  and  many  lives  lost  in  this  dreadful  gale. 

October  6,  1841.     At  the  hour  appointed,  the  Conference  opened 
its  eleventh  session,  and  adopted  rules,  requiring  the  delegates  to 


n 


''■    .H 


if: 


l#J 


^l 


ni'fi 


412 


MEMOIRS   OF 


r 


I 


spend  eleven  hours  and  a  half  daily  in  session,  besides  the  time 
spent  on  committees.  Forty-two  delegates  attended.  The  yearly 
meetings  reported  general  prosperity  and  more  than  an  ordinary 
increase.  In  addition  to  the  duties  of  a  member  of  the  Conference, 
Mr.  Marks  was  reporter  of  their  discussions,  and  some  of  the  time 
sat  up  nearly  the  whole  of  the  night.  A  very  interesting  letter 
was  read  from  Mr.  Pike  of  England,  severely  condemning  slavery. 
The  delegates  from  the  Free-communion  Baptists  presented  their 
request  for  the  admission  of  their  body  to  membership,  which  was 
granted  unanimously.  Their  number  was  about  twenty-five  hun- 
dred.    Their  churches  were  mostly  in  the  vicinity  of  Utioa. 

Spirited  resolves  were  passed  on  the  subject  of  Missions,  Popery, 
Moral  Reform,  Education,  Sabbath  schools,  Temperance,  &c. 
Among  those  passed  on  Temperance  was  the  following : 

"  Resolved,  That  we  advise  the  churches  to  prepare  and  use  none 
but  unfermented  wine  at  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  that  the  Clerk  in- 
sert in  the  minutes  a  recipe  for  preparing  sur-h  wine." 

The  resolutions  on  Education  recommended  to  the  general  pat- 
ronage of  the  denomination  the  Free-will  Baptist  Education  Socie- 
ty (which  had  been  recently  formed,)  and  requested  prayer  for  the 
different  literary  institutions  in  operation  among  the  churches.  The 
Conference  continued  its  sitting  for  a  week,  but  had  several  ad- 
journments to  attend  the  anniversaries  of  the  Free-will  Baptist 
Mission  Societies,  Education  Society,  and  Sabbath  school  Union, 
which,  for  the  sake  of  convenience,  had  been  appointed  at  this  time. 
Mr.  Marks  reported  also  the  discussions  at  these  anniversaries, 
which  were  very  interesting,  especially  those  of  the  Education  So- 
ciety, of  which  he  then  became  a  member.  He  presented  a  reso- 
lution to  the  Society,  the  purport  of  which  was,  that  we  ought  not 
to  expect  that  God  will  miraculously  supply  us  with  that  knowledge 
which  can  be  obtained  by  the  common  use  of  our  faculties.  In  its 
support,  he  said: 

*  *  *  "  The  wise  man  says  ;  '  The  heart  of  the  prudent  man 
getteth  knowledge ;'  fi*om  which  it  would  seem  that  instead  of  wait- 
ing for  God  to  transmit  it  to  us  without  our  agency,  it  is  the  busi- 
ness of  prudent  men  to  get  it.  Again,  says  the  same  inspired  wri- 
ter, 'The  ear  of  the  wise  seeketh  knowledge.*  From  this  testimo- 
ny, it  is  clear  that  those  who  do  not  seek  knowledge  are  not  wise. 
That  it  is  not  sufficient  that  ministers  be  sincere  and  good  men,  is 
clear  from  the  word  of  the  Lord  to  Jeremiah :  *  And  I  will  give 
you  pastors  according  to  my  own  heart,  which  shall  feed  you  with 
knowledge  and  understanding.*  From  this,  we  can  see  how  God 
^ooks  upon  ministers  v/ho  cannot  feed  the  people  with  knowledge 
and  understanding :  he  does  not  consider  such  ministers  as  '  after 
his  own  heart.*     Another  testimony  from  Malachi  coincides  with 


e  time 
yearly 
dinary 
irence, 
le  time 
letter 
lavery. 
d  their 
ch  was 
'e  hun- 

'opery, 
ce,   &c. 

se  none 
llerk  in- 

ral  pat- 
Socie- 
for  the 
es.  The 
eral  ad- 
Baptist 
1  Union, 
tiis  time, 
ersaries, 
ition  So- 
i  a  reso- 
ught  not 
lowledge 
.     In  its 

Sent  man 
[  of  wait- 
the  busi- 
ired  wri- 
;  testimo- 
not  wise, 
d  men,  is 
will  give 
you  with 
how  God 
mowledge 
as  '  after 
sides  with 


DAVID   MARKS. 


413 


this.  *  The  priest's  lips  should  keep  knowledge,  and  they  [the 
people]  should  leam  the  law  from  his  mouth.'  There  we  are  not 
only  told  that  knowledge  should  be  kept  by  ministers,  but  also  that 
the  people  should  leam  the  law  from  their  mouth.  Again,  God 
said  by  Hosea,  '  My  people  are  destroyed  for  lack  of  knowledge.' 
Thus  it  was  not  knowledge,  but  the  want  of  it,  that  caused  their 
destruction.  A  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  above  all  other  men, 
should  be  the  last  one  to  plead  for  the  neglect  of  study  ;  for  it  is 
written  again  in  Hosea,  '  Because  thou  hast  rejected  knowledge,  I 
will  also  reject  thee,  that  thou  shalt  be  no  priest  to  me.*  This 
scripture  is  very  explicit ;  and  as  God  has  not  changed  the  princi- 
ples of  his  action,  we  can  now  see  why  some  good  men,  who  have 
been  called  to  the  ministry,  are  comparatively  useless  in  the  vine- 
yard of  the  Lord.  They  have  *  rejected  knowledge ;'  and  for  this 
cause,  God  has  rejected  them.  Let  it  not  then  be  said,  that  the 
friends  of  education  have  crowded  those  who  will  not  study  from 
the  field  of  usefulness.  They  have  not  done  this  thing.  God  did 
it,  because  they  rejected  knowledge." 

On  the  Sabbath,  between  the  afternoon  and  evening  service,  Mr. 
Marks  preached  a  temperance  sermon  to  a  large  congregation  in 
the  street  in  Brunswick  village,  separated  from  Topsham  by  the 
Androscoggin  river.  During  the  early  part  of  the  week,  he  set 
out  on  his  return  to  New  York.  Sabbath,  October  17,  he  preached 
in  Portsmouth,  and  there  learned  that  the  missionaries,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Noyes,  had  just  arrived  from  India,  the  health  of  both  having 
failed.  He  had  with  them  an  interesting  interview.  Great  anxi- 
ety had  been  felt  on  their  account,  as  they  had  been  expected  for 
some  time,  and  it  was  feared  they  had  been  lost  in  the  late  gale. 
They  had  indeed  suffered  greatly,  having  been  obliged  to  put  out 
to  sea  when  within  a  few  leagues  of  Boston,  and  had  been  beating 
about  for  nearly  three  weeks,  often  exposed  to  the  most  imminent 
danger.  Thursday,  Oct.  21,  he  left  Dover,  and  preaching  a  few 
times  by  the  way,  arrived  in  Varysburg  the  last  of  the  month,  and 
was  rejoiced  to  find  that  the  Washingtonian  temperance  reform  had 
reached  this  little  village,  and  had  rescued  several  of  its  inebriates. 

In  the  early  part  of  November,  Mrs.  Marks'  little  neice,  given 
her  by  her  dying  mother,  became  a  member  of  the  family.  Ever 
after,  she  was  a  great  favorite  with  Mr.  Marks,  and  occupied  a 
large  place  in  his  affections.  She  was  then  a  little  more  than  two 
years  old. 

Mr.  Marks  now  resumed  his  labors  with  the  churches  in  Varys- 
burg and  Portageville ;  but  as  the  latter  place  was  so  far  from  his 
residence,  it  made  his  work  too  hard.  The  church  was  prospering, 
had  nearly  finished  their  house  of  worship,  and  he  persuaded  them 
to  get  another  pastor.  After  the  first  of  January,  1842,  he  labored 
35* 


0m 


'a:. 


\,y\ 


*  ,     \ 


414 


MEMOIRS   OF 


ft 


half  the  time  till  the  ensuing  May,  with  the  church  in  Java,  eight 
miles  from  Varysburg.  They  had  been  in  great  trials,  and  despair- 
ing of  settling  their  affairs,  concluded  to  disband  and  organize  anew. 
Accordingly  they  sent  for  Mr.  Marks  to  aid  them  in  their  re-or- 
ganization, lie  told  them  he  thought  their  course  unscriptural, 
but  consented  to  assist  them,  provided  they  would  exercise  disci- 
pline, and  settle  their  differences  by  the  law  of  Christ.  He  met 
them  in  a  protracted  church  meeting,  which  lasted  about  a  week. 
This  resulted  in  the  amicable  adjustment  of  affairs  with  but  one  or 
two  cases  of  discipline.  The  church  felt  encouraged,  and  began 
building  a  house  of  worship.  He  commenced  a  protracted  meeting 
with  them,  and  was  soon  rejoiced  to  see  a  flattering  prospect  of 
success.  Several  were  awakened,  some  were  converted,  and  added 
to  the  church,  and  there  were  good  indications  of  a  general  work, 
when,  on  his  return  from  an  evening  meeting,  he  was  suddenly 
seized  with  a  severe  distress  in  his  stomach,  and  would  have  fallen 
to  the  ground,  if  he  had  not  been  supported.  For  several  days 
following,  he  was  confined  to  a  bed  of  sickness,  and,  after  he  was 
able  to  be  carried  home,  remained  very  feeble  for  some  time,  though 
he  continued  the  discharge  of  his  pastoral  duties. 

The  time  was  drawing  near,  that  he  had  appointed  for  going  to 
New  York  city,  but  while  he  was  planning  the  necessary  arrange- 
ments, he  received  an  unexpected  call  to  go  to  a  western  field. 
The  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  yearly  meetings  had  formed  an  Edu- 
cation Society,  which  had  resolved  to  get  a  Seminary  of  the  first 
order  into  operation,  and  a  very  earnest  request  was  sent  him  to 
come  to  their  aid,  and  be  their  agent.  He  hardly  knew  what  to  do. 
His  health  had  for  years  been  so  frail,  and  exposures  consequent 
on  travelling  had  so  greatly  injured  him,  that  he  had  thought  he 
was  firm  in  his  purpose  of  settling  in  some  place  where  he  could 
find  labor  enough  to  do  without  travelling,  and  at  the  same  time, 
pursue  a  course  of  study,  that  would  the  better  prepare  him  to 
write  some  works  for  the  Free-will  Baptist  denomination,  Avhich 
had  long  been  on  his  mind  to  write.  !NvJw  York  he  thought  offered 
these  facilities.  Now  another  path  of  usefulness  was  presented. 
He  had  long  looked  upon  the  Western  Valley  with  much  interest, 
and  had  deeply  felt  the  need  that  something  should  be  done  to 
arouse  and  prepare  Free-will  Baptist  churches  to  act  efficiently  in 
the  great  moral  battle-field  of  the  West.  Another  circumstance 
had  its  influence  in  guiding  his  decision.  Oberlin  was  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  this  new  field.  He  had  loved  it  from  its  early  settlement, 
and,  as  has  been  already  mentioned,  had  greatly  desired  to  enjoy  its 
rich  literary  privileges,  and  be  benefited  by  its  high  tone  of  piety. 
After  much  consideration  and  prayer,  he  finally  conchided  to  ac- 
cept the  call  to  Ohio,  and  make  Oberlin  his  home  for  a  season. 


DAVID   MARKS. 


415 


I 


In  the  early  part  of  May,  he  made  a  tour  to  Upper  Canada, 
where  he  left  his  companion  with  her  parents  while  he  could  visit 
and  take  leave  of  the  churches  in  the  Holland  Purchase  yearly 
meeting.  From  the  21st  of  May  to  the  10th  of  July,  he  visited  and 
preached  with  forty-six  churches,  it  tended  the  Genesee  quarterly 
meeting  in  Bennington,  and  the  Holland  Purchase  yearly  meeting  in 
Middlebury.  The  yearly  meeting  was  deeply  interesting.  The 
quarterly  meetings  reported  revivals  and  more  energetic  action  in 
the  various  causes  of  Christian  benevolence.  Mr.  Marks  requested 
a  dismission  from  the  yearly  meeting  of  which  he  had  been  a  mem- 
ber more  than  twenty  years,  to  unite  with  one  of  the  Ohio  yearly 
meetings.  A  very  kind  and  affectionate  commendatory  letter  was 
given  him  ;  and,  unexpectedly  to  him,  the  yearly  meeting  confer- 
ence passed  the  following  vote  of  thanks : 

"  Resolved,  That  we  render  our  unfeigned  thanks  to  Elder  David 
Marks  for  his  services  in  this  yearly  meeting  for  the  last  twenty 
years,  and  gi'atefuUy  acknowledge  the  aid  he  has  rendered  us  in 
his  indefatigable  labors  for  the  advancement  of  the  cause  of  Christ 
in  this  region." 

A  few  further  particulars  respecting  his  labors  and  the  industri- 
ous occupancy  of  his  time,  may  be  gathered  from  tlie  following  ex- 
tracts from  his  letters. 

"  My  carriage,  near  Niagara  Falls,  U.  C.  May  20,  1842. 

My  dearly  beloved  wife : — 

My  health  is  good  and  I  am  happy.  The 
morning  is  beautiful,  the  road  very  smooth,  and  I  commence  wri- 
ting this  letter  while  riding  in  a  wagon  at  the  rate  of  five  miles 
per  hour.  The  day  I  left  you,  especially  the  latter  part  of  it,  I  was 
very  calm  r  id  happy.  My  time  was  spent  mostly  in  meditations, 
which  were  sweet  to  my  soul — such  as  the  certainty  of  the  hope  of 
eternal  life,  where  sickness,  sorrow,  labor,  and  pain,  will  be  un- 
known, and  loved  friends  will  part  no  more.  0  how  sweet  were 
these  reflections.  What  a  luxury  it  is  to  the  soul  to  contemplate 
the  ineffable  glories  of  eternal  life,  not  in  a  vague,  general,  and  in- 
definite manner,  as  by  a  glimmering  light,  but  as  a  tangible  reality, 
an  *  anchor  sure  and  steadfast.'  These  sweet  reflections  were 
awakened  by  those  lonely  feelings  which  had  at  first  come  over  me, 
in  consequence  of  the  long  separation  which  was  to  take  place  be- 
tween us.  "NVhile  my  thoughts  wandered  over  the  thirteen  years 
which  have  passed  since  we  first  met,  and  lingered  on  that  kind 
providence  which  has  ever  attended  us  amidst  all  the  changes  of 
this  rapid  flight  of  time,  my  heart  was  melted  with  a  feeling  of 
gratitude  and  thankfuhiess  which  was  inexpressibly  sweet. 


\     •*  ■ 


^1  wJ: 


I 


ft-i'-f 


■■   ie.asblf 


416 


MEMOIRS   OP 


^i 


Pi 


■ii 


As  I  draw  near  the  Falls  which  are  so  celebrated  I  must  lay 
aside  my  pen  to  listen  to  their  majestic  roar,  gaze  upon  their  awful 
grandeur,  and  contemplate  the  greatness  of  their  Author. 

May  24.  I  had  a  plea,san  \  time  in  passing  the  mighty  cataract. 
I  crossed  the  Niagara  the  same  day,  and  left  Buffalo  about  G 
o'clock,  P.  M.,  then  rode  twenty  seven  miles  by  a  delightful  moon- 
light, and  arrived  at  Darien  at  half  past  eleven  o'clock. 

The  quarterly  meeting,  [Genesee,  at  Bennington,]  was  attend- 
ed by  a  larger  number  of  delegates  than  I  have  seen  at  the  quar- 
terly meeting  for  many  years  ;  and  on  the  Sabbath,  notv/ithstanding 
the  heavy  rain,  a  large  congi'egation  was  present.  It  was  on  the 
whole  the  best  quarterly  session  this  association  of  churches  has 
had  for  years.  Brother  Philander  W.  Belknap  was.  ordained.  It 
was  my  lot  to  preach  the  ordination  sermon,  and  my  soul  was  bap- 
tized into  the  spirit  of  my  subject.  I  preached  my  farewell  dis- 
courses at  Vaiysburg  and  Orange  ville  the  2  2d  of  May."    *     *     * 

"  My  carriage,  Castile,  June  8,  1842. 
My  dearly  beloved  wife : — 

The  travelling  of  seventy  miles  extra^  the 
settling  of  Book  Concern  accounts  with  several  assistant  agents, 
the  completion  of  my  eleventh  Star  report,  and  keeping  a  copy  of 
the  same,  together  with  my  personal  business,  daily  appointments, 
and  travels,  have  occupied  me  so  closely,  that  I  have  had  little 
sleep  or  rest  for  eight  days  past.  Even  the  whole  time  that  I  have 
been  riding  has  been  occupied  in  writing  or  arranging  accounts.  I 
am  getting  so  as  to  write  letters  to  others  while  riding  as  well  as  to 
my  dear  companion.     *     *     * 

The  church  in  Portageville  still  prospers.  It  now  numbers 
about  sixty  members.  I  preached  in  Naples  in  the  Methodist 
chapel  to  a  very  crowded  house,  spoke  two  hours  and  had  one  of 
my  best  seasons.  I  never  saw  a  stiller  or  more  attentive  assembly 
for  the  same  length  of  time,  so  far  as  extraneous  noises  were  con- 
cerned.    *     *     *     * 

June  15.  I  found  a  revival  in  Freedom  under  the  labors  of 
Elder  Benjamin  McKoon.  Nine  were  converted  the  night  after 
I  preached  there.  The  church  were  finishing  off  their  meeting 
house,  which  was  covered  six  years  ago !  I  take  much  comfort, 
enjoy  excellent  liberty  in  preaching,  and  am  kindly  received  in  ev- 
ery place.  My  old  Rochester  affairs  are  nearly  settled.  *  *  * 
Farewell*  Your  affectionate  husband, 


;•■•!'; 


St  lay 
awful 


the 


W' 


DAVID   MARKS. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


417 


Mr.  Marks'  Labors  in  (lie  cause  of  Christian  Educatioyi,  Sfc.  in 
Ohio  and  New  Hampshire,  from  Jidy  1842,  to  Nov.  1844. 

Mr.  Marks  gave  a  lecture  by  request  in  Hamburg,  on  the  4th  of 
July,  on  the  duty  of  voters-  Tliis  subject,  as  well  as  temperance, 
education,  «Sec.,  he  always  treated  very  religiously,  and  enforced  its 
practical  obligation  by  arguments  drawn  directly  from  Scripture. 
He  usually  selected  a  text,  and  conducted  the  services  in  the  same 
manner  as  any  meeting  of  religious  worship.  Often  these  occasions 
were  melting,  solemn  seasons.  After  the  close  of  the  lecture,  he 
rode  to  Buffalo,  met  his  companion  returning  from  Canada,  and 
with  her  proceeded  on  his  way  to  his  field  of  labor  in  Ohio. 

July  13.  He  preached  in  Cherry  Valley,  and  aext  morning,  in 
company  with  Elder  Ransom  Dunn,  (who  had  been  instrumental 
in  engaging  his  services  for  the  Western  Reserve  Education  Soci- 
ety,) continued  his  journey  to  Chester,  Geauga  county,  nineteen 
miles  east  of  Cleaveland,  the  place  the  society  had  in  view  in  which 
to  locate  their  Seminary.  July  15,  the  society  convened.  They 
had  no  funds  to  meet  the  expenses  of  an  agent,  and  but  extremely 
limited  collections  could  be  immediately  made.  The  churches 
among  which  they  were  going  to  send  their  agent  were  many  of 
them  but  recently  organized,  small,  comparatively  poor,  mostly 
without  meeting  houses,  and  able  to  sustain  preacliing  but  a  part  of 
the  time.  Mr.  Marks,  with  his  usual  self-sacrificing  spirit,  changed 
the  terms  of  his  services.  He  had  stipulated  to  receive  his  pay 
quarterly  from  the  society,  in  order  to  meet  his  expenses ;  but  now 
he  agreed  to  wait  till  it  could  be  collected  from  the  subscription  he 
might  raise  for  the  society.  In  addition  to  the  agency,  he  accepted 
the  appointment  of  Corresponding  Secretary.  It  was  also  decided 
to  open  the  school  immediately  at  Chester.  The  directors  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  land,  designed  for  a  manual  labor  farm,  at  a 
cost  of  Slo93,  which  was  paid  for  with  a  part  of  S2159,  which  ha^. 
been  subscribed  in  Chester,  and  SlOO,  relinquished  by  the  Free- 
will Baptist  Education  Society  in  New  England,  from  the  bequest 
of  Mr.  Luke  Philbrick,  of  Chester. 

Mr.  Marks  spent  several  days  in  getting  the  school  into  opera- 
tion. Subscriptions  for  between  twenty-five  and  thirty  scholars 
were  obtained,  the  services  of  brother  Asahel  Nichols  were  secured 
as  teacher  for  a  short  season,  and  the  school  was  immediately 
opened  in  the  Free-will  Baptist  chapel.  Mr.  Marks  then  visited 
IMr.  and  Mrs.  Daniel  Branch,  at  that  time  teachers  of  Farmington 


^i: 


.  iS 


S  -V 


.:r:''- 


418 


MEMOIRS   OF 


Academy,  for  the  purpose  of  engaging  them  as  permanent  teachers 
in  Chester.  They  removed  to  Chester  the  February  following, 
took  charge  of  the  school  at  the  commencement  of  the  thh'd  quarter, 
which  charge  they  have  ever  since  retained.  They  have  been  very 
faithful,  laborious,  and  self-denying  in  their  efforts,  and  have  seen 
many  of  their  pupils  converted. 

In  the  month  of  August,  Mr.  Marks,  after  removing  his  family  to 
Oberlin,  commenced  a  tour  through  the  churches  connected  with  the 
Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  yearly  meeting.  The  Education  Board 
had  resolved  that  the  subscription  should  be  opened  to  articles  of 
all  kinds  that  are  bought  and  sold,  except  slaves  and  intoxicating 
drink,  or  such  things  as  would  make  the  reception  a  violation  of 
principle.  The  following  brief  account  of  the  agent's  labors  till  the 
last  of  January,  1843,  is  taken  from  an  ar: '  :;le  published  in  the 
Morning  Star. 

"  In  the  month  of  August,  1842,  I  commenced  a  tour  through 
the  churches  belbnging  to  the  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  yearly  meet- 
ing, and  in  three  weeks  visited  and  preached  with  twenty  churches, 
and  raised  a  subscription  of  S2007,85.  Not  the  first  word  of  op- 
position did  I  hear  from  a  single  individual  in  these  churches.  *  * 
In  Pennsylvania,  the  most  sanguine  expectations  were  more  than 
realized  ;  for,  notwithstanding  the  churches  were  nearly  all  new, 
small,  and  poor,  there  was,  according  to  their  ability,  a  greater  lib- 
erality among  them  than  among  the  churches  in  Ohio,  for  in  twen- 
ty-seven churches  that  were  visited,  S1298.  were  subscribed.  In- 
deed, in  some  instances,  poor  females  that  had  large  families,  came 
forward  with  tears,  and  wished  to  subscribe  a  doUai*  per  year  to  be 
paid  in  knitting.  Others  wished  to  subscribe  on  condition  that 
health  would  permit,  and  others  on  condition  that  they  could  pay 
their  subscriptions  without  distressing  their  dependents.  One 
brother  subscribed  ninety  dollars,  his  wife  ten  dollars,  to  be  paid  in 
knitting,  and  his  eldest  daughter,  fourteen  years  of  age,  ten  dollars 
more,  to  be  paid  in  the  same  way.  But  when  I  understood  that 
this  brother  was  worth  but  about  S800.  my  heart  was  touched,  and 
I  said  to  him,  that  I  feared  he  had  been  excited,  and  had  subscribed 
too  much,  and  I  would  allow  him,  if  he  chose,  to  lessen  his  subscrip- 
tion. He  replied,  *  No,  brother,  I  have  not  subscribed  too  much.  For 
yeai's,  I  have  trembled  at  the  increased  corruption  of  political  par- 
ties, which  threatens  our  country  with  the  subversion  of  all  its  lib- 
erties. No  ray  of  light  or  hope  has  dawned  on  my  mind  until  the 
subject  of  a  sanctified  education  was  introduced.  Here  there  is 
light,  hope,  and  prospect.  What  I  have  subscribed  is  not  all  I  in- 
tend to  do,  if  the  Lord  prosper  me.'  This  brother  had  right  views 
of  the  subject.  O  that  our  churches  were  filled  with  such  men. 
On  the  18th  of  January,  1843,  I  finished  a  tour  through  the 


# 


DAVID   MARKS. 


""^■ 


419 


I  have  travelled  eleven  miles  this  morning, 


Ohio  Northern  yearly  meeting,  which  had  occupied  seven  weeks, 
having  preached  to  about  sixty  churches  on  the  subject  of  educa- 
tion, and  raised  a  subscription  of  $4770.  Total  in  the  two  yearly 
meetings,  SI 0,579.*  More  than  one  half  of  this  subscription  is 
payable  either  in  cash  or  its  equivalent,  and  it  is  probable,  accord- 
ing to  the  usual  failures  in  subscriptions,  cost  of  collection,  trans- 
portation, &c.,  that  not  more  than  one-third,  or  at  most,  two-fifths 
need  be  deducted  from  this  sum,  to  get  the  amount  which  will  be 
actually  returned  to  the  Society  over  and  above  all  expenses,  losses, 
failures,  &c.  It  is  also  probable  that  a  foundation  is  laid  for  increas- 
ed subscriptions  every  year,  not  only  from  those  whose  hearts  God 
may  yet  enlarge,  but  also  from  converts  that  will  be  added  to  our 
churches.  Eighteen  building  lots  have  been  rented  by  the  Institu- 
tion for  ten  years,  to  individuals  intending  to  erect  smidl  private  or 
family  boarding  houses  the  present  year." 

The  following  are  extracts  from  his  letters  written  to  his  com- 
panion during  these  labors:  I 

"  Fairfield,  Pa.  Sept.  16. 

and 
for  the  first  two  hours  busied  myself  in  reciting  the  rules  of  my 
Latin  grammar.  *  *  *  My  health  is  about  as  usual,  except 
my  bronchitis  is  better,  much  better,  while  there  is  an  increase  of 
the  weakness  of  my  stomach,  and  of  exhaustion  upon  exercise.  I 
feel  that  I  hold  my  life  on  a  slender  thread,  and  its  continuance  is 
on  probation.  Sometimes  I  think  I  will  return  home  and  attend 
to  my  healjh,  to  the  neglect  of  every  thing  else.  Then  again,  I 
seem  to  think  I  am  foolish,  and  easily  alarmed,  so  that  what  would 
be  nothing  to  another,  affects  my  weak  nerves.  But,  blessed  be 
Grod,  there  is  a  home,  sweet  home,  the  eternal  rest  of  the  redeem- 
ed, where  loved  ones  will  part  no  more,  and  where  sickness  will  be 
a  stranger.         *         #         * 

Sept.  13,  I  am  now  through  visiting  the  churches  of  the  Craw- 
ford quarterly  meeting.  There  are  eight  in  all.  I  have  visited 
six.  I  attended  a  session  of  their  quarterly  meeting  last  Saturday 
and  Sabbath  at  Deer  Creek.  My  mission  was  kindly  received.  I 
preached  three  times  on  the  Sabbath,  and  three  or  four  professed 
to  be  converted  Sabbath  evening. 

Huron  Village,  November  28.     I  am  now  at  the  house  of 

,  one  of  the  richest  men  in  this  part  of  the  country,  and  till 

seven  months  since  one  of  the  wickedest  men.  Then  a  fit  of  sick- 
ness brought  him  to  repentance,  which  he  has  lately  confessed  for 
the  first  time.    Brother  C and  myself  are,  this  night,  probably 

*  A  part  of  this  pubscription  was  payable  in  annual  installments  for  the  ten  ensuing 
years. 


h 


:;  5' 


420 


MEMOIRS   OP 


the  first  ministers  that  were  ever  invited  into  his  house,  and  this 
evening  probably  the  first  vocal  prayer  was  made  under  liis  roof. 
We  have  had  a  very  good  quarterly  meeting.  [Lake  Erie  quar- 
terly meeting.]  This  evening,  eleven  came  to  the  anxious  seat, 
one  of  whom  found  peace."     *♦***# 

Toward  the  last  of  December,  Mr.  Marks  returned  home.  He 
had  discovered  a  bloating  in  his  limbs,  which  a  physician,  whom  he 
consulted,  said  was  merely  a  result  of  the  debility  of  his  system. 
He  wrote : 

"  New  Haven,  Huron  Co.  Jan.  2,  1843.  Through  the  goodness 
of  the  Lord,  I  am  in  usual  health,  except  the  bloating  of  my  limbs, 
which  I  think  increases  a  little.  I  hope,  however,  that  it  is  but  the 
result  of  the  inactive  state  of  my  system,  from  which  I  hope  to  re- 
cover when  my  nerves  become  strengthened.  My  medicines,  I 
think,  are  producing  a  good  efTect.  My  stomach  is  certainly  much 
stronger,  and  acidity  is  almost  a  stranger  to  it.  The  difficulty  in 
my  throat  has  intirely  disappeared.  O,  dear  companion,  thank  the 
Lord  with  me  for  these  favorable  omens,  and  yet  let  us  be  prepar- 
ed for  whatever  chastening  the  Lord  may  be  pleased  to  send  upon 
us,  remembering  that  whom  he  loveth  he  chasteneth,  and  scourgeth 
every  son  whom  he  receiveth. 

Yesterday,  I  preached  three  times  to  crowded  congregations,  and 
had  very  good  seasons.  Twenty-two  came  forward  and  kneeled 
for  prayer,  nearly  all  of  whom  spoke.  Eighteen  of  these  and  forty- 
two  others  [professors]  covenanted  to  kneel  £lnd  pray  three  times 
a  day  for  a  year.  I  think  a  revival  will  follow.  I  commenced  the 
year  by  a  new  consecration  of  myself  to  God,  and  a  renewed  prom- 
ise to  live  by  my  good  rules  and  resolutions.  Perhaps  this  year 
may  make  an  inroad  in  our  happy  family,  but  I  trust  we  are  all 
like  minute  men,  and  shall  be  ready  when  our  Lord  shall  call. 

I  am,  as  usual,  busy,  very  busy.  How  is  it  that  I  always  have 
my  hands  full  ?  When  I  think  I  will  do  less,  and,  for  the  recovery 
of  my  health,  live  easy,  it  is  true,  as  you  have  often  told  me,  I  do 
not  know  how.  Infinite  toils  are  needed  in  this  wicked  world,  and 
as  I  see  that  a  little  labor  here,  and  a  little  labor  there  will  do 
good,  I  feel  a  sort  of  uncontrollable,  impelling  power,  urging  me 
on,  and  before  I  am  aware,  I  am  loaded  with  cares  and  responsi- 
bilities." 

"  Grand  township,  Marion  quarterly  meeting,  Jan.  5, 1843.  *  * 
The  day  after  mailing  my  last  letter  to  you,  I  went  to  Bucyrus ; 
and  as  my  limbs  were  swollen  the  night  before  worse  than  I  had 
ever  seen  them,  I  called  on  a  physician,  to  learn  whether  I  had  the 
dropsy.  In  answer  to  my  questions,  he  said  I  had  no  symptoms  of 
dropsy,  though  my  debility,  if  not  removed,  might,  in  two  or  three 
years,  terminate  in  either  dropsy  or  consumption.    He  said  my  liv- 


f 


DAVID   MARKS. 


421 


»d  this 

s  roof. 

qiiar- 

seat, 


er  is  very  inactive,  and  the  bloating  of  my  limbs  proceeds  from  the 
inactive  state  of  my  blood.  lie  thought  the  course  of  medical 
treatment  I  was  pursuing,  as  directed  by  Dr.  Vanort,  would  cure 
me. 

January  8.  We  have  had  a  good  quarterly  meeting ;  my  health 
improves.  In  twelve  days  and  twenty  hours,  I  hope  to  see  my 
dear  family  in  my  sweet  home ;  yet,  if  disappointment  awaits  me, 
may  the  Lord  prepare  me  for  it. 

Your  more  than  ever  affectionate  husband, 

D.  Marks." 

About  the  last  of  January,  Mr.  Marks  suspended  for  a  few 
months  his  travels  for  the  Western  Reserve  Education  Society, 
and  made  arrangements  for  the  commencement  of  his  studies  at 
Oberlin.  He  engaged  to  preach  statedly  with  four  churches,  two 
of  them  eight  miles,  one  of  them  nine,  and  the  other  twenty  miles 
from  Oberlin,  spending  with  them  about  three  days  in  a  week,  in- 
cluding the  Sabbath.  These  churches  were  to  raise  S300,  per  ye-ar 
for  his  support.  At  the  commencement  of  the  term  of  the  Oberlin 
Institute,  February  1,  1843,  he  joined  a  class,  and  began  anew  his 
study  of  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages,  preaching  according  to  his 
engagements,  occasionally  holding  other  meetings  in  adjacent  neigh- 
borhoods, and  superintending  the  building  of  a  small  house.  Ke 
was  not  only  able  to  go  on  with  his  class,  but,  even  under  these  cir- 
cumstances, his  health  rapidly  improved.  Formerly,  when  he 
travelled,  as  night  came  on,  he  had  laid  his  book  aside,  except  when 
the  full  moon  slione,  but  now  he  adopted  the  expedient  of  carrying 
a  lantern,  and  studying  by  Ilo  light,  as  he  returned  from  his  even- 
ing meetings.  Three  months  thus  passed  very  happily  with  him 
in  his  studies  and  labors.  Indeed,  he  seemed  to  enjoy  life  exceed- 
ingly. He  had,  in  the  mean  time,  from  different  sections,  many  and 
urgent  calls ;  but,  with  a  perseverance  unexampled  in  his  former 
history,  he  was  enabled  to  say  "  No,"  a  word  he  often  remarked 
he  had  never  before  leamed  to  say.  One  of  these,  however,  not- 
withstanding his  strong  resolution,  made  him  pause.  It  was  a  call 
from  the  Trustees  of  Strafford  Academy,  in  New  Hampshire,  writ- 
ten in  their  behalf  by  Elder  Place.  The  Institution  was  so  in- 
volved that  it  was  feared  it  would  be  lost.  He  wrote  the  following 
reply : 

*'  Oberlin,  0.  March  10,  1843. 
My  Dear  Brother  : — 

Yours  of  the  27th  ult.,  directed  to  Chester,  was  received 

yesterday  at  this  place — the  place  of  my  fixed  residence  for  a  number  of 

years,  if  I  live.     I  must  answer  your  letter  briefly,  as  I  have  to  attend 

to  study  ten  hours  to-day,  and  besides  have  to  travel  eighteen  miles  to  the 

36 


422 


MEMOIRS   or 


mouth  of  the  Vermillion  river,  and  preach  throe  hours  on  baptism  accord- 
ing to  a  previous  engagement. 

I  am  now  settled  in  Oberlin,  with  a  fixed  and  unalterable  determina- 
tion, if  the  Lord  will,  to  pursue  those  studies  needful  for  preparing  mo 
to  enter  college — then  to  take  a  thorough  and  regular  course  through 
college  and  theology.  I  have  not  blundered  into  these  purposes.  They 
are  not  the  result  of  any  sudden  excitement,  but  of  careful,  prayerful, 
and  sincere  examination  of  duty  for  years.  I  take  this  course  from  the 
full  conviction  that  I  can  do  far  more  good,  if  I  should  live  but  a  few 
years  after  its  completion,  than  I  could  accomplish  in  any  other  way. 
*  •  *  I  have  now  only  to  say,  that  until  I  change  my  views  of  duty, 
no  consideration  will  induce  me  to  abandon  my  studies,  nor  leave  thciin, 
even  temporarily,  unless  I  should  have  evidence  that  it  is  to  accomplish 
some  great  work  for  the  public  good,  which  no  other  man  can  be  found 
to  do,  under  existing  circumstances.  If  I  knew  that  no  other  man  could 
be  and  would  be  obtained  to  save  the  Institution,  I  cannot  say  that  I 
would  not  leave  my  studies  for  three  or  four  or  even  six  months  to  ac- 
complish such  a  work.  But  on  no  other  grounds  would  I  listen  to  any 
proposals,  nor  to  any  inducements  whatever.  I  am  poor,  and  probably 
always  shall  be — and  should  be,  if  I  had  an  income  of  $2000,  a  year, 
but  mere  pecuniary  offers  would  not  induce  me  to  go.  If  the  Institution 
has  been,  and  now  is,  conducted  on  right  and  Christian  principles,  I 
have  no  doubt  that  I  have  arguments  and  measures  that  would  clear  it 
from  its  embarrassments,  and  set  it  on  a  sure  foundation  in  from  three  to 
six  months.  •  •  •  •  I  would  not  think  a  moment  of  the  great, 
and  trying,  and  painful  self-denial  of  leaving  my  dear  family  in  my  fee- 
ble heaith  to  go  to  your  aid,  were  it  not  from  fear  that  the  Institution 
will  not  be  saved.  I  entreat  that  every  measure  may  be  taken  that  is 
possible,  and  that  no  dependence  be  made  upon  me,  except  as  a  last  re- 
sort. I  would  rather  not  go  at  $  2000,  a  year  if  I  could  avoid  it,  and 
not  sin  against  God  and  my  beloved  connexion,  for  I  have  an  object  in 
view  higher  than  any  money  concern."  After  making  several  propo- 
sitions, he  added  :  "  After  all,  I  dare  not  say  that  I  would  go  were  all 
these  conditions  fulfilled.  My  studies  and  my  age — my  health,  the 
wants  of  the  Western  Reserve  Education  Society,  and  the  churches  to 
which  I  preach,  make  me  hesitate,  and  close  in  haste,  with  a  fervent 
prayer  that  God  will  direct."        #        «        # 

In  the  mean  time,  brother  J.  J.  Butler,  Principal  of  Clinton  Sem- 
inary, N.  Y.  wrote  him  thus :  "  If  you  can  save  Strafford  Academy 
by  three  months,  six  months,  or  a  year's  labor,  I  think  you  ought  to 
engage  in  its  behalf.  And  I  am  inclined  to  suppose  you  might. 
Could  you  place  the  pecuniary  affairs  of  your  Seminary  in  Ohio  in 
such  a  train,  that  you  could  safely  leave  them,  you  would  accom- 
plish a  great  and  good  work  in  rescuing  the  Institution  at  Strafford. 
I  hope  to  hear  that  you  comply  with  their  request,  provided  you 
can  do  it  without  thereby  sacrificing  the  Ohio  Institution.  You 
must  be  pretty  busily  employed  with  all  your  cares  and  responsi- 
bilities.   You  need  wonderful  faculties  to  do  justice  to  them  alL" 

Sooa  afterwards,  Mr.  Marks  received  the  following  : 


DAVID    MARKS. 


423 


"  Strafford  Centre,  N.  H.  April  17,  1813. 
My  Dear  Brother  Marks : — 

Yours  of  the  16th  ult.  has  been  duly  received  and  laid  hrforo 
our  Trusters.  At  their  meeting  held  on  the  16th  inst.  I  was  autliorizcd 
to  answer  your  letter,  and  present  to  you  the  views  and  feelings  of  our 
Board.  *  *  *  *  O,  brother  Marks,  we  do  not  wish  to  flatter  you. 
God  forbid.  The  sole  and  only  cause  why  wo  hnve  troubled  you  with 
our  request,  is,  that  we  do  believe  that,  under  God,  you  are  the  only 
man  that  we  have  any  knowledge  of  in  our  denomination,  that  can  save 
our  literary  Institution. 

The  Catholics  have  at  last  formally  invaded  New  England.  A  large, 
expensive,  and  splendid  edifice  is  now  in  progress  at  Worcester,  Mass., 
forty  miles  from  Boston,  for  a  college  of  Jesuits  ! !  and  yet  nine-tenths 
of  the  numerous  host  of  Free-will  Baptists  in  this  state  are  askej) — 
asteqt  on  the  subject  of  Christian  education,  while  the  enemy,  in  solid 
phalanx,  will  soon  overtake  them,  when  it  will  be  too  late  for  repen- 
tance. O,  brother,  I  say  it  in  the  fear  of  God,  that  while  I  write  this, 
streaming  tears  flow  in  torrents  from  my  weeping  eyes,  and  my  prayer 
is,  that  God  may  direct  us  all  in  the  way  of  duty.  1  am  reading  D' Au- 
bigne's  History  of  the  Reformation.  It  is  a  rich  repast,  and  had  it  not 
been  for  a  sanctified  education,  in  the  hand  of  God,  the  world  would  have 
slept  on  till  this  time  in  Papal  darkness,  and  you,  and  I,  and  millions  of 
others,  have  finally  gone  to  hell.  We  believe  that  the  call  we  make  up- 
on you  is  from  God,  and  that  his  holy  hand  is  in  it.     •      *     •     *     * 

Our  wish  is  that  you  become  our  sole  agent.  O  do  come,  do,  do,  for 
God's  sake,  come  to  our  help.  1  do  not  say  this  to  move  your  passions. 
The  whole  truth  is  summed  up  in  these  few  words — the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees believe,  beyond  a  doubt,  that  you  alone  can  save  the  Institution,  and 
if  you  cannot  come,  no  other  man  can  do  it.     *     *     *     * 

Yours,  in  the  best  of  bonds,  E.  Place." 

This  letter  was  an  appeal  that  Mr.  Marks  had  not  in  the  poweir 
of  his  heart  to  withstand.  He  laid  the  subject  before  his  teacher, 
and  the  President  of  the  college,  and  asked  their  advice.  They 
thought  it  unfortunate  for  him  at  his  time  of  life  to  fall  back  a  year 
in  his  studies  ;  but  conceded,  that  probably  under  existing  circum- 
stances it  was  his  duty  to  go  to  New  Hampshire.  After  this  con- 
sultation, he  wrote  immediately  to  the  Trustees  an  affirmative  an- 
swer, and  sent  on  a  list  of  appointments.  He  wrote  also  a  very 
pithy  appeal  to  the  New  Hampshire  churches,  which  he  closed  with 
a  brief  outline  of  the  plan  of  his  agency.  He  said  in  this  article, 
"  Don't  forget  that  I  am  io  preach — not  merely  lecture,  but  preach 
the  blessed  gospel,  that  this  is  the  only  part  I  have  any  thing  to  do 
with  in  relation  to  education." 

There  were  at  this  time  three  young  Free-will  Baptist  ministers 
pursuing  a  course  of  study  at  Oberlin,  in  whose  welfare  Mr.  Marks 
felt  much  solicitude,  which  they  ever  affectionately  reciprocated. 
On  the  morning  of  the  day  of  his  departure,  he  received  the  follow- 
ing note  from  one  of  them. 


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424 


MEMOIRS   OF 


•  •«•<(  Permit  me,  dear  brotlior  Marks,  to  chargfo  you  to  be 
careful  of  your  health.  You  are  aware  that  we  have  reason  tr)  fear  that 
the  arduous  task  before  you  may  prove  too  much  for  one  in  your  state, 
and  with  your  strength  of  constitution.  As  far  as  human  observation 
can  go,  there  seems  to  me  to  bo  a  long  chain  of  reasons  why  you  8houl<l 
be  spared  to  the  Free-will  Baptist  church  yet  many  years.  Those  of 
us  in  this  place,  who  belong  to  that  branch  of  the  church,  cannot  hut 
feel  deeply  solicitous.  An  educated  and  holy  ministry  we  must  have, 
or  we  shall  cease  to  exert  a  saving  influence  as  a  denomination.  You 
know  how  strongly  the  tide  of  opposition  sets  against  u»,  who  have 
come  to  this  place,  and  how  necessary  to  us,  under  God,  are  your 
strength  and  influence.  May  God  have  you  in  his  holy  keeping  is  the 
prayer  of  your  brother  in  Christ,  H.  E.  Whipple." 

Tuesday,  June  C,  he  bade  adieu  to  his  family,  expecting  to  be 
absent  four  months.    He  wrote  : — 

"  Boston,  Mass.  Monday,  June  12.  I  reached  this  city,  764  miles 
from  Oberlin,  after  travelling  fifty-seven  hours  and  twenty-two  minutes, 
and  stopping  thirty  hours  and  forty-eight  minutes.  Sabbath  morning,  I 
preached  in  Charlestown  to  Elder  Jackson's  congregation,  and  had  an 
excellent  time.  In  the  afternoon,  I  preached  to  the  Free-will  Baptist 
church  in  Boston,  and  had  a  far  better  season  than  in  the  morning  ;  in- 
deed, one  of  my  best.  About  two  hundred  and  fifty  were  present,  and 
they  seemed  deeply  and  solemnly  impressed. 

I  am  in  good  health  and  most  excellent  spirits.  I  have  been  quite 
happy  to-day,  though  aflfection  to  my  much  loved  family  has  forced  a 
few  sighs  and  some  tears  from  me.     Farewell. 

Your  ever  affectionate  husband,  David  Marks." 

On  entering  upon  his  labors,  he  found  obstacles  of  which  he  had 
no  idea,  and  his  prospects  of  success  seemed  dark  indeed.  He 
wrote :— • 

"  NoRTHWOOD,  June  19,  1843. 
My  Dearly  Beloved  Wife  : — 

Happy  should  I  be,  could  I  write  you  good  tidings — tidings 
which  would  comfort  that  heart  which  is  so  worthy  of  consolation  ;  but 
you  have  learned  that  '  man  is  born  to  affliction,  as  the  sparks  that 
fly  upwards' — that  this  is  not  the  place  of  our  rest.  The  most 
painful  news  I  have,  and  which  saddens  me.  because  it  must  sad- 
den rhy  dearest  earthly  friend,  is,  that  I  have  been  sick,  quite 
that  when  I  reached  Strafford,  I  kept  my  bed,  except  when  I  went  to 
my  meetings.  However,  I  soon  got  better,  for  I  could  sleep  from  ten 
to  thirteen  hours  per  day,  and  have  ever  since,  as  I  find  this  the  best 
medicine  I  can  take.  I  never  before  slept  so  much  with  such  perfect 
ease,  insomuch  that  sometimes  I  have  been  almost  alarmed  on  account 
of  my  stupidity. 

Another  subject,  and  one  which  I  do  not  know  how  to  approach  so  as 
to  prevent  paining  you,  is,  my  agency.  To  tell  you  the  plain  truth,  and 
to  tell  you  the  worst  at  once,  I  have  now  little  doubt  that  it  must  and 
will  prove  an  entire  failure,  by  which  I  shall  lose  my  time,  and  I  think 


I 


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DAVID    HARKS. 


425 


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nil  my  rxppnsrs,  except  my  mere  travelliiiff  cxpenscH,  1.  Millcrism  has 
(loijo  much,  and  eo  far  us  that  is  believed,  I  can  do  nothing,  y.  My  un- 
iMHutments  at^^  in  a  busy  time  for  fanners.  3.  There  is  a  general  dis- 
like to  the  Trustees  running  in  debt  to  buiW  a  hoarding  house.  4. 
'I'hcre  is  rrreat  complaint  on  account  of  the  location.  5.  There  is  a 
gn'at  ditflike  to  agents — a  supposition  that  they  have  very  high  wages, 
and  that  former  agents  have  run  off  with  the  money,  and  many  have 
said  for  a  long  time,  '  I'll  never  give  any  thing  more  to  an  agent.'  0. 
Deep  rooted  prejudices  have  settled  in  many  hearts  against  the  Strafford 
In-stitution,  they  know  not  why ;  so  that  while  lean  carry  all  before 
mo  ns  to  education,  and  move  my  assemblies  to  a  flood  of  tears,  I 
can  make  no  impression  in  behalf  of  Strafford  Academy.  I  find  much 
more  sympathy  for  myself  than  for  the  institution.  I  think  some 
of  cutting  my  agency  short,  and  returning  home  sooner  than  I  in- 
tended. I  shall  strive  to  get  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  and  ask  advice. 
I  have  now  told  you  all  my  trouble,  because  I  promised  to  do  so  ;  but 
it  has  been  hard  work  ;  yet  I  know  you  can  bear  up  under  afHictions, 
even  better  than  I  do.         •        *         • 

Your  affectionate  husband,  David  Marks." 

Mr.  Murks  prosecuted  his  labors  amidst  these  and  other  dis- 
couragements. So  inveterate  were  the  prejudices  against  the  ob- 
ject of  his  agency,  that  many  would  not  go  to  hear  a  word  on  this 
subject.  Others  that  out  of  respect  to  him,  would  listen  to  a  lec- 
ture, were  careful  to  leave  their  money  at  home,  lest  their  feel- 
ings should  be  touched,  and  they  should  be  induced  to  give  some- 
thing. In  some  instances,  however,  their  precaution  only  gave 
them  trouble,  as  their  consciences  would  not  let  them  leave  till  they 
had  borrowed  money  and  contributed.  Hoping  to  arouse  the 
churches  to  a  sense  of  their  duty,  Mr.  Marks  resorted  to  the  expe- 
dient of  publishing  a  weekly  reports  of  his  labors  in  a  tabular  form, 
giving  the  names  of  the  churches,  the  number  of  members,  number 
of  hearers,  sums  subscribed,  and  sums  paid,  to  which  he  added  re- 
marks either. of  censure  or  commendation.  The  following  was  in 
connection  v/ith  his  seventh  weekly  report : 

**  One  cause  of  the  little  interest  felt  in  education,  is  manifest  by  the 
following  note  which  was  attached  to  my  carriage  by  a  man  that  listen- 
ed to  my  discourse  ten  minutes  and  went  off  apparently  angry.  I  copy 
perfectly  verbatim,  letter  for  letter,  ^c. 

'Jesus  Christ  tasted  death  Tor  every  Man  it  is  not  Tor  you  to  Say  who  shall  Be  Saved 
you  told  Mc  that  you  came  to  Preach  the  doctrine  of  Jesus  Christ  Jexus  Christ  Never 
Sent  any  man  out  A  Begin  for  Money  to  Raise  up  Ministers,  Doctors  Nor  Lawyers,  Nor 
Judges  Nor  divils  if  you  want  Money  ynu  go  to  work  and  em  it  what  money  we  have 
hear  we  want  for  our  own  yoose    Bee  off  yoor  Self.' 

Now,  though  no  Christian  would  exhibit  the  spirit  of  the  above  wri- 
ting, yet  its  principal  sentiments  are  practically  acted  out  bv  a  large 
portion  of  church  members.  The  great  error  contained  in  this  paper, 
is  a  common  and  extensive  one.  It  consists  in  the  assumption  that  great 
principles  are  not  obligatory,  and  to  be  carried  out,  unless  God  has  point- 
ed out  precisely  the  thousand  best  methods  which  would  arise  in.  differ- 
56* 


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426 


MEMOIRS    OF 


ent  ages  and  nations,  and  specified  these  very  methods  by  definite  names 
in  all  the  dialects  of  earth.     God  has  enjoined  great  principles  through- 
out the  whole  Bible  on  every  question  which  can  interest  man.     In  re- 
lation to  education,  the  principle  enjoined  is,  that  we  should  '  study,' 
*  learn,'  '  increase  in  learning'  in  every  thing  visible  and  invisible  which 
God  has  created,  giving  to  every  part  of  his  works  that  proportion  of  at- 
tention and  afifection  which  its  value  demands.     Hence  it  is  an  undeni- 
able inference,  that  well  regulated  academies  and  colleges,  being  among 
the  best  methods  of  obedience  to  God  in  relation  to  the  study  of  several 
parts  of  his  works  and  truths,  are  well  pleasing  to  God.     They  are  ex- 
pressly designed  to  develope  our  faculties,  and  train  our  intellects,  so  as 
to  fit  us  by  a  knowledge  of  the  works  and  truths  of  God  to  do  good  here, 
and  finally  sit  down  with  Christ  in  his  throne,  judge  angels,  and  judge 
the  world.     But  if  words,  instead  of  principles,  are  to  be  our  rules  of  ac- 
tion, then  we  should  abandon  temperance,  mission,  and  Bible  societies, 
family  prayer.  Sabbath  schools,  prayer,  conference,  church,  monthly, 
quarterly,  and  yearly  meetings,  because  their  names  are  not  found  in  the 
Bible  ;    and  as  Jesus  Christ  never,   in  so  many  words,  said  any  thing 
against  drinking  whiskey,  rum,  gin,  brandy,  &c.,  nor  against  circuses, 
horse  races,   theatres,  houses  of  ill  fame,  free  masonry,  and  slavery, 
all  opposition  to  these  and  a  thousand  other  kindred  vices  not  known  in 
the  Scriptures  by  the  names  under  which  they  are  designated  among  us, 
should  cease  asunscriptural." 

Mr.  Marks  wrote  to  his  companion  as  follows  : 

"  Enfield,  July  3,  1843.  My  health,  praise  God,  is,  for  me,  extreme- 
ly and  astonishingly  good.  I  preach  and  speak  publicly  five  or  six 
hours  daily,  seemingly  with  as  much  ease  as  the  moving  of  a  clock.  I 
have  got  my  soul  baptized  into  my  mission,  so  that  I  am  more  success- 
ful than  I  feared  I  should  be.  My  meetings  are  attended  with  much  weep- 
ing, and  often  with  powerful  feelings.         #        ♦         #        # 

Manchester,  N.  H.  July  10.  I  am,  through  the  blessing  of  God,  in 
excellent  health,  though  last  week  I  preached  thirteen  sermons,  averag- 
ing two  hours  each,  and  yesterday  three  more  in  brother Cilley's  church. 

Dover,  July  24.  A  week  ago  to-night,  I  met  with  the  Trustees  at 
Strafford,  and  obtained  facts  which  will  help  me  in  my  agency.  Mat- 
ters, so  far  as  I  can  learn,  have  been  managed  well.  I  have  now  little 
doubt  that  I  shall  save  the  Institution,  though  I  may  have  to  come  a  three 
months'  tour  again. 

You  wrote  that  brother  N and  other  western  brethren  think  the 

remarks  in  the  weekly  reports  of  my  agency  are  too  severe,  and  calcu- 
lated to  make  me  enemies,  &c.  Brother  N.  and  our  western  brethren 
can  scarcely  form  an  idea  of  the  disorganizing  stuff  and  want  of  princi- 
ple, which  have  called  for  the  merited  severity  of  my  reports.  My 
opinion  is  that  they  are  doing  much  good,  and  that  though  some  assem- 
blies may  have  been  smaller  on  this  account,  a  much  greater  number 
have  been  larger.  My  success  has  been  increasing  firom  the  commence- 
ment of  my  reports  in  the  Star.  I  aim  to  be  just  to  right  principles, 
let  the  immediate  eflfect  be  what  it  may.  Great  principles  are  concern- 
ed.   I  have  the  approbation  of  our  most  intelligent  men  in  my  severity, 


m 


DAVID  MARKS. 


427 


Still  there  are  good  men  that  thhik  it  injudicious.  The  reports  are 
arousing  a  good  deal  of  sensibility.  Thribble  is  paid  down  in  a  week 
now  to  what  there  was  when  I  began.  This  shows  that  conscience  is 
aroused.  *  *  »  I  think  the  Institution  will  be  redeemed. 
But  if  it  is  lost,  there  will  arise  a  re-action  that  will  produce  more  prin- 
ciple as  to  education.  My  success  I  do  not  measure  by  dollars.  Very 
many  converts  are  made  to  right  principles.  I  have  reason  to  believe 
that  very  few  go  from  my  meetings  with  anything  like  those  feelings 
with  which  they  came.     The  seed  is  abundant  and  will  produce  fruit. 

I  rejoice  to  hear  of  the  good  preaching  and  spiritual  times  at  Oberlin. 
May  God  preserve  me  to  be  blessed  by  such  seasons  there.  I  greatly 
rejoice  to  hear,  my  precious  wife,  of  their  influence  on  your  own  mind, 
and  of  the  increase  of  your  confidence  in  God.  O,  I  thank  Heaven  for 
this.  I  am  exceedingly  interested  in  the  account  you  wrote  me  of  Pro- 
fessor Finney's  Pastoral  lectures  on  the  qualifications  of  ministers' 
wives.  Brother  Burr  thinks  your  report  would  do  good  in  the  Star.  If 
you  have  any  objection  to  its  publication,  write  me.  *  *  * 
Farewell.     I  remain  as  ever, 

Your  affectionate  and  confiding  husband — a  happy  one  indeed. 

D.  Marks." 

"  Lisbon,  Monday,  Aug.  23.  I  hope,  my  dear  wife,  you  have  grace  to 
reconcile  you  to  any  mere  earthly  afliliction,  that  God  shall  permit  to 
come  upon  you,  knowing  that  there  is  not  a  sorrow  which  God  does  not 
design  to  work  for  our  good.  This  letter  will  cause  you  unwelcome 
pangs ;  but  let  me  assure  you  that  I  am  happy  in  the  Lord,  and  cheer- 
fully resigned  though  I  am  mostly  confined  to  my  bed  by  a  severe  at- 
tack of  inflammatory  rheumatism. 

Last  Tuesday,  August  22,  I  started  in  a  moderate  rain  to  go  twenty- 
three  miles  to  Gorham  :  but  having  a  covered  carriage,  a  thick  buflJalo 
skin,  and  a  thickly  lined  borrowed  cloak,  I  did  not  anticipate  the  least 
danger ;  but  on  the  way,  the  rain  increased  to  a  shower  :  nay  buffalo 
skin  got  wet  perfectly  through,  and  my  clothes  damp,  but  not  much  wet, 
and  the  rain  soaked  through  my  carriage  top.  Though  my  health  was 
as  usual,  I  stopped,  thinking  it  not  safe  for  me  to  attempt  to  reach  my 
next  appointment.  The  next  day  toward  night,  I  felt  some  rheumatic 
affection  about  my  right  knee.  Thursday  it  increased,  and  was  accom- 
panied with  swelling.  I  went,  however,  to  Concord,  Vermont,  thirteen 
miles,  and  preached  sitting.  Friday,  I  went  to  Lisbon  and  preached, 
but  I  passed  a  night  of  great  distress.  I  felt  now  that  I  was  actually 
sick  for  the  first  time  in  the  absence  of  my  dear  companion,  who,  under 
God,  has  blessed  me  and  comforted  me  so  much  in  my  scenes  of  sick- 
ness and  nervous  prostration.  I  imagined  erysipelas — while  swelling — 
that  I  should  be  a  cripple  for  life,  or  that  mortification  must  set  in  and 
death  follow — that  I  should  never  see  my  dear  family  any  more  in  this 
world.  [You  know  my  nervous  hob- goblins  so  well  that  these  things 
will  not  frighten  you.]  This  night,  I  had  two  watchers  attending  con- 
stantly upon  me,  brushing,  rubbing,  fanning,  &c.  At  four  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  I  sent  for  a  physician  of  some  celebrity  residing  in  Lisbon, 
a  member  of  the  church  and  a  man  of  prayer.  Saturday  1  was  some 
better,  and  Sabbath  both  the  physician  and  my  friends  would  have  me 
carried  out  to  preach.    I  spoke  to  about  four  hundred  people.    The 


y-M 


.    .    ■'.■■"I 


"  i ' 


:'h 


it 

'I'fi 


428 


MEMOIRS   OF 


' 


physician  has  visited  me  three  times  a  day.  I  have  now  little  pain,  and 
1  hope  to  be  able  to  leave  safely  the  last  of  the  week.  My  right  limb  is 
almost  useless,  and  I  have  to  get  about  with  crutches.  My  symptoms 
are  all  favorable,  but  you  know  a  swelled  joint  demands  that  patience 
have  her  perfect  work.        #        *        * 

September  2.  Thanks  to  our  Heavenly  Father,  yesterday  I  was 
strengthened  to  get  up  from  my  sick-bed  and  ride  forty-eight  miles,  and 
this  without  doing  me  any  injury.  A  young  man  came  with  me  to  as- 
sist me,  and  I  went  to  bed  twice  by  the  way.  With  care  and  prudence, 
I  hope  now  to  meet  my  appointments. 

September  18.  My  health  is  still  improving,  though  I  can  walk  or 
stand  very  little  ;  but  my  preaching  powers,  thank  Heaven,  never  seem- 
ed so  little  fatigued  by  immense  labor.  I  have  a  great  deal  to  do,  and  I 
have  to  labor  hard  to  take  what  sleep  nature  requires.  The  excitement 
occasioned  by  my  longing  for  sweet  home  and  the  bosom  of  my  family, 
as  I  dra  7  near  the  time  of  my  return,  is  so  intense  that  I  find  it  difficult 
to  sleep." 

Mr.  Marks  was  in  the  habit  of  holding  correspondence  with  his 
little  favorite  Julia,  who  in  her  turn  often  dictated  very  amusing  re- 
plies. The  following,  written  about  this  period,  is  a  specimen  of 
his  letters  to  her. 

**  My  dear  little  precious  daughter  Julia  Marilla  : — I  was  so  glad  to  get 
your  sweet  little  letter  that  I  cried — shed  tears  on  it.  I  want  to  see  you  so 
much  that  I  weep  now.  I  can't  help  it.  O  how  my  heart  beats  at  the 
thought  of  you.  I  feel  as  though  I  could  almost  fly  to  see  you. 
O,  1  was  very  glad  to  hear  that  you  are  a  good  girl,  and  that 
you  pray  daily,  and  pray  for  me.  If  you  could  see  me,  you  would 
cry  to  see  how  lame  I  am.  I  walk  with  crutches.  O  you  would 
pity  me  much  if  you  could  see  me.  You  know  your  *  dear  papa'  was 
to  be  gone  sixteen  Mondays.  [She  always  reckoned  the  time  of  his  ab- 
sence from  home  by  the  number  of  Mondays.]  Well,  precious  pet,  they 
are  nearly  all  past.  In  two  more  Mondays  and  five  days,  I  hope 
to  see  you  in  Cleveland.  If  mamma  thinks  best  will  you  come  with 
her  to  meet  me  ?    Good  by,  dear  daughter. 

Your  Papa." 

The  following  were  among  the  remarks,  appended  to  Mr. 
Marks'  concluding  weekly  report. 

* '  Near  the  close  of  my  agency,  a  report  went  out  that  I  was  to  re- 
ceive thirty-three  per  cent,  on  all  the  subscriptions  I  obtained.  Some 
brethren  of  good  judgment  (in  cases  where  they  had  no  bias,)  actually 
believed  that  the  Trustees,  with  all  their  personal  embarrassments  for 
the  Institution,  were  about  to  give  me  seven  hundred  dollars  for  thir- 
teen weeks'  work,  and  actually  used  this  as  an  argument  to  prevent  in- 
dividuals from  coming  to  my  appointments,  or  giving  any  thing  to  the 
object  of  my  agency.  Hoping  to  modify,  in  some  measure,  the  preju- 
dices of  such  as  have  not  enough  of  the  charity  which  thinketh  no  evil, 
I  will  state  a  few  facts,  leaving  them  to  judge  how  much  real  founda- 
tion there  has  been  for  this  report,  and  for  slanders  of  the  above  cast, 


<f» 


■m 


;.i' 


DAVID   MABKS. 


429 


and 
nb  is 
toms 
ence 

was 
and 
as- 
jnce, 


Mr. 


which  the  devil  always  puts  in  circulation  against  benevolent  Institu- 
tions. 

I  have  raised  a  subscription  of  $2006,74,  of  which  $863,22  were 
paid  besides  $  60,  collected  on  old  subscriptions.  The  raising  and  col- 
lecting of  these  sums  cost  me  as  follows : — 1600  miles  travel  by  public 
conveyance,  1518  miles  by  private  carriage,  138  sermons,  averaging 
two  hours  and  four  minutes  each,  394  hours  mental  labor,  close  appli- 
cation to  accounts,  &c.  If  thirty  miles  travel  by  private  carriage — 
one  hundred  miles  by  public  conveyance — eight  hours  close  mental  la- 
bor, and  one  sermon  of  one  hour's  length,  are  each  enough  for  a  day's 
labor  on  an  average,  I  have  rendered  349  days  service  for  the  Institu- 
tion in  four  and  a  half  months.*  For  this  service  I  have  received  but 
$78,97  over  and  above  what  I  have  paid  out  for  mere  travelling  and 
agency  expenses,  or  suffered  in  losses  unavoidably  resulting  directly 
from  my  service,  not  including  wear  of  clothes,  lime,  or  family  expens- 
es. I  make  not  this  statement  for  complaint,  for  I  am  satisfied,  not  only 
that  the  Trustees  gave  me  all  they  should  have  given  me,  but  also  that 
in  this  respect  I  have  fared  better  than  agents  generally,  excepting  those 
of  older  and  wealthier  denominations." 

As  Mr.  Marks  was  about  leaving  Strafford,  the  following  reso- 
lution passed  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  was  handed  him : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  exertion,  zeal,  and  untiring  industry  of  El- 
der David  Marks,  in  his  agency  in  procuring  subscriptions  and  dona- 
tions for  the  Strafford  Academy,  entitle  him  to  the  thanks  and  highest 
•regards  of  the  Trustees  for  the  diligent  and  faithful  manner  in  which 
he  has  conducted  his  agency.  Daniel  Winkley, 

Secretary  of  tlie  Board  of  Trustees,  "pro  tem.^^ 

Mr.  Marks  arrived  at  Oberlin,  October  6th,  in  very  feeble  health, 
having  had  another  attack  of  sickness  in  Boston,  which,  during 
nearly  his  whole  journey,  obliged  him  to  accept  the  almost  con- 
stant care  of  a  brother  who  was  accompanying  him  to  Ohio. 
When  he  was  in  Albany  he  had  a  very  interesting  interview  with 
Mr.  Charles  T.  Torrey,  (the  recent  martyr  in  the  cause  of  human- 
ity,) and  purchased  of  him  several  thousand  copies  of  the  second 
number  of  the  Monthly  Patriot,  containing  an  article  written  by 
himself,  entitled,  "  War  of  Slavery  on  Northern  commerce  and 
agriculture."  This  article  he  read  aloud  on  the  steam-boat  (having 
previously  obtained  permission)  during  its  passage  from  Buffalo  to 
Cleveland.  There  were  several  slaveholders  on  board,  though 
he  was  not  then  aware  of  it,  and  so  much  excitement  was  produc- 
ed that  for  a  time  he  viewed  himself  in  danger. 

His  engagements  for  the  Western  Reserve  Education  Society 
allowed  him  no  time  for  rest.  He  had  already  one  hundred  and 
twelve  appointments  notified  in  the  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  church- 
es, covering  the  ground  he  went  over  the  preceding  autumn,  which 

*  This  period  includes  the  time  spent  in  going  to  New  Hampshire,  and  returning ;  aUo, 
the  time  spent  in  writing  previous  to  his  departure  ttom  Oberlin. 


.»;''< 


':  r-:n 


p   'I 


mi 


430 


HE9fOIR3   OF 


would  occupy  his  time  till  the  12th  of  January.  Besides,  he  was 
depending  on  the  avails  of  his  agency  then  due  him,  (and  for 
which  he  had  consented  to  wait  till  it  could  be  collected  from  the 
subscription,)  for  the  immediate  support  of  himself  and  family. 
The  Education  Society  was  also  in  pressing  want  of  funds,  as  they 
had  commenced  a  large  building  for  the  Seminary.  They  had  re- 
fused the  charter  granted  them  by  the  Ohio  Legislature  on  ac- 
count of  a  clause  prohibiting  them  from  extending  equal  privileges 
to  tiie  people  of  color,  and  had  directed  Mr.  Marks,  as  their  agent, 
to  circulate  among  the  churches  a  petition,  requesting  the  repeal  of 
the  restriction.*  He  thought,  under  the  circumstances,  that  it  was 
duty  to  go  forward ;  but  his  toils  were  excessively  fatiguing.  The 
season,  it  was  said  by  the  oldest  inhabitants,  was  the  most  unpleas- 
ant of  any  that  had  been  known  since  the  settlement  of  the  coun- 
try. It  rained  almost  daily  for  several  weeks,  and  the  travelling 
through  the  deep  mud  of  the  clay  roads  of  Ohio,  can  only  be  con- 
ceived by  those  who  saw  them.  The  Society  fitted  out  a  two  horse 
wagon  and  a  man  to  accompany  their  agent.  But  on  account  of 
the  state  of  the  roads,  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  reach  several 
of  his  appointments,  and  at  a  number  of  those  he  did  reach,  he 
found  small  congregations,  the  people  not  expecting  him,  suppos- 
ing that  he  could  not  travel.  Still  he  toiled  on,  riding  sometimes 
till  twelve  or  one  o'clock  at  night,  doing  what  he  could,  till  the  ear- 
ly part  of  January,  when  he  found  himself  so  worn  down,  and  so 
ill,  that  it  was  an  utter  impossibility  to  fill  his  remaining  appoint- 
ments. He  now  engaged  a  brother  to  go  in  his  stead,  and  resign- 
ed himself  to  rest.f  But  repose  failed  to  invigorate  his  system  as 
it  had  formerly  done.  Its  elasticity  seemed  gone.  His  limbs  bloat- 
ed badly,  and  it  caused  him  much  distress  even  to  walk  across  his 
room.  After  the  lapse  of  a  few  days,  he  gave  up  nearly  all  hopes 
of  recovery,  yet  he  was  very  calm  and  happy  in  his  mind.  He 
wrote  several  farewell  letters  to  his  relatives  and  friends,  from 
some  of  which  the  following  few  extracts  are  taken. 

[To  Mi88  M,  Turner,  Arlington,  Vt.] 

♦♦  Obbrlin,  Feb.  28,  1844. 
My  dear  Aunt : — 

*  *  *  *  I  am  now  confined  mostly  to  my  room — have 
given  up  all  my  studies,  and  do  not  often  go  out  even  to  meeting. 
What  little  strength  I  have,  is  occupied  mostly  in  arranging  my  papers, 
so  that  should  I  not  recover,  they  may  occasion  my  dear  companion  as 
little  trouble  as  possible.     Mrs.  Marks  is  strong  in  the  faith  that  1  shall 

*  The  Legislature,  at  their  ensuing  session,  granted  thena  such  a  charter  as  they  de- 
sired. 

t  This  was  the  last  of  Mr.  Marks'  labors  for  the  Western  Reserve  Education  Society. 
The  Institution  at  Chester  has  continued  to  prosper.  During  the  term  closing  Nov*. 
1845,  it  had  100  students. 


IS, 


# 


DAVID   MARKS. 


ac- 


481 


yet  get  well.  I  am  not.  But  my  mind  is  calm,  and  I  have  peace  like 
a  river.  *  For  me  to  live  is  Christ ;  to  die  would  be  gain.'  I  have 
looked  death  in  the  face,  surveyed  its  terrors,  carefully  reviewed  my 
past  life  in  view  of  my  approaching  dissolution,  and  think  I  am  not  mis- 
taken in  saying,  '  ^// w  w;^//'  While  now  my  labors  are  closing  up 
and  coming  in  review  preparatory  to  my  final  change,  it  is  to  me  a  great 
satisfaction,  that  I  feel  a  sweet  consciousness  of  having  acted  on  the 
principle  of  entire  consecration  to  God — that  neither  the  love  of  honor, 
popularity,  nor  interest,  have  ever  influenced  me  to  withhold  needful 
truths,  nor  to  daub  with  untempered  mortar,  crying,  '  Peace,  peace, 
where  God  has  not  spoken  peace.'  *  *  O  how  sweet  it  is  to  feel 
that  God — the  everlasting  God — is  my  Father,  my  Friend,  and  my  ever- 
lasting portion.  Surely  in  Him  there  is  fullness  of  joy,  and  at  his 
right  hand  are  pleasures  forevermore.        *        ♦        # 

I  have  means  to  be  comfortable  for  a  few  months  ;  if  health  does  not 
amend,  I  must  then  subsist  on  the  kindness  of  friends,  of  whom  I  have 
many,  and  they  will  not  suffer  me  to  want,  after  I  feel  that  I  need  to 
ask  help  ;  and  as  to  this  1  shall  feel  no  delicacy,  believing  I  have  ren- 
dered faithful  service  to  the  public  these  twenty-three  years,  much  of 
which  yet  remains  temporally  unrewarded.  I  may  recover.  If  so,  I 
intend  by  Divine  permission  to  go  through  college,  and  a  regular  course 
in  theology. 

Oberlin  is  the  most  interesting  spot  I  have  ever  seen.  Its  professors 
are  the  most  humble,  and  its  influence  the  most  holy  and  effectual  for 
the  searching  and  sanctification  of  the  heart  of  any  Institution  with 
which  I  have  been  acquainted.  Great  is  the  grace  here  manifested,  and 
its  influence  is  being  felt  to  the  end  of  Christendom.        #        *        * 

Yours  affectionately,  D.  Marks." 

(To  8  lady  relative,  nearly  ninety  years  of  age.] 

"Oberlin,  Feb.  29,  1844. 
My  Dear  Aunt : — 

The  feelings  of  my  heart  prompt  me  to  write  you,  especially 
as  it  now  appears  quite  doubtful  whether  we  ever  again  meet  in  this 
world,  and  quite  probable,  when  a  few  more  days  are  gone,  that  we 
shall  meet  amid  all  the  realities  and  scenes  of  another  state  of  existence. 
Your  advanced  age  gives  strong  assurance  that  the  days,  which  Job  de- 
clared were  'like  a  weaver's  shuttle,'  will  soon  be  forever  numbered, 
and  the  ties  which  bind  you  to  earth  be  dissolved  no  more  to  be  renewed. 
True,  you  have  lived,  even  since  the  infirmities  of  age  came  upon  you, 
to  see  many  of  the  young,  tlie  healthy  and  the  gay,  go  to  their  long 
home  before  you.  Vet,  let  it  not  be  forgotten,  that  it  has  been  said  of 
the  oldest  man  that  ever  lived — *  He  died' — nor  that  it  will  yet  be  thus 
said  of  us  all.  What  a  multitude  of  friends  and  acquaintances  you 
have  lived  to  see  go  down  to  the  grave.  O  how  many  funeral  solemni- 
ties you  have  witnessed.  Another  thing  which  inclines  me  to  invite 
your  attention  to  this  subject,  is,  I  feel  that  I  too  have  but  a  few  days  to 
stay  in  this  world.  Pray,  dear  aunt,  be  not  grieved,  if  I  inquire,  '  Are 
you  prepared  1  Is  your  peace  made  with  God  ?  Have  you  been  born 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  V  Surely,  it  is  our  privilege  to  know  what  our  state 
is,  for  the  word  of  God  has  said  :  *  He  that  believeth  hath  the  witness 


W\ 


i^* 


'm '  i 


432 


MEMOIRS   OF 


in  himself,'  and  again,  *  Prove  your  own  selves  whether  ye  be  in  ihe 
faith.  Now  we  should  not  be  commanded  to  prove  ourf elves,  if  it  were 
impossible  for  us  to  do  this.  Again,  the  beloved  disciple  speaks  of  our 
knowing  that  we  have  passed  from  death  unto  life,  and  he  could  never 
have  spoken  in  this  manner,  had  it  not  been  our  privilege  to  know  our 
own  state.  A  multitude  of  Scripture  evidences  might  be  brought  to 
the  same  point,  but  these  are  sufficient,  and  prove  unanswerably,  not 
only  that  it  is  our  privilege,  but  our  duty,  to  determine  with 
certainty  our  true  character  before  we  go  to  the  judgment.  O  then, 
permit  me  to  entreat  you,  as  a  child  would  entreat  a  parent,  as  a  friend 
would  entreat  another  dear  to  his  heart,  and  as  a  watchman  of  the  cross 
should entreatthe  souls, beforewhomhemustsoon  give  an  account  of  his 
stewardship,  don't  delay.  O,  for  heaven's  sake,  do  not  trust  to  mere  moral- 
ity or  even  the  form  of  godliness,  and  to  the  circumstance  that  you  love  the 
good,  and  are  a  friend  to  religion.  Don't  rest  without  a  witness  that 
your  heart  is  changed,  and  that  you  have  something  more  than  a  mere 
hope — which  may  be  '  as  the  spider's  web  in  the  giving  up  of  the  ghost.' 
O  get  one  that  will  be  like  an  anchor  cast  into  a  firm  rock.  It  is  for 
you,  if  you  will  only  seek  it.  Dear  aunt,  do  seek  it — seek  it  now — seek 
It  earnestly — seek  it  perseveringly — seek  it  with  the  whole  heart — seek 
it  as  an  invaluable  prize,  an  indescribable  treasure,  as  that  which  is 
worth  more  than  friends  and  wealth,  or  indeed  more  than  all  earth  itself. 
Many  have  found  a  new  hope  at  an  age  greater  than  yours.  Yes,  some 
sinners  have  been  converted,  and  become  like  little  children  at  the  age 
of  one  hundred  years.     May  we  be  prepared  to  meet  in  heaven. 

Yours  affectionately ,  D.Marks." 

[To  one  of  hia  brothers-in-law.] 

♦'  Obbrlin,  March  2,  1844. 
My  dear  brother  : — 

•  *  I  certainly  have  great  reasons  and  very  strong  ones  for 
attachment  to  your  family,  nor  have  they  been  lessened  by  any  want  of 
courtesy  or  brotherly  kindness  on  your  part.  Though  you  do  not  pro- 
fess religion,  my  visits  in  your  family  have  always  been  pleasant  and 
are  remembered  with  delight.  Only  one  deduction  has  pained  my  heart, 
and  this  concerns  your  duty  to  God  and  your  eternal  interest.  Being 
fully  assured  that  here  our  time  is  short,  and  that  in  a  few  fleeting  days, 
we  shall  witness  the  crumbling  of  every  earthly  tie,  and  the  dissolution 
of  every  worldly  hope,  O  how  can  I  refrain  from  anxiety.  Surely  you 
would  not  think  me  too  forward  or  officious,  should  I  see  you  exposed  to 
be  burned  to  death  in  a  flaming  house,  even  though  I  should  be  greatly 
excited,  and  alarmed,  and  use  even  ultra  efforts  to  save  you.  But  this 
is  only  a  faint  illustration.  Permit  me  to  say,  dear  brother,  that  I  am 
sure,  if  you  have  not  a  well  founded  hope  in  the  dear  Redeemer, 
you  are  in  infinitely  greater  danger — in  danger  of  a  death  that  never 
dies— -of  a  loss  which  is  irreparable.  O  the  loss  of  the  soul !  Who 
can  describe  it  ?  When  we  lose  friends  we  may  regain  others ;  and 
when  we  lose  property  we  may  accumulate  more,  or  even  reconcile  our- 
selves to  poverty.  But  when  the  soul  is  lost,  all  is  lost ! — lost  forever  ! 
— lost  irrecoverably  ! — and  with  it,  all  that  the  heart  can  desire.  O  my 
brother,  I  would  not  pain  you  unnecessarily.    The  physician,  in  ampu- 


^ 


DAVID   MARKS. 


433 


our 


?> 


taiing  a  limb,  don't  mean  to  inflict  pain — that  is  not  his  object ;  but  he 
would  benefit  his  patient,  and  he  acts  from  the  full  conviction  that  the 
amputation  had  better  go  on,  notwithstanding  the  circumstance  that  pain 
is  its  inevitable  attendant.  So  I  feel,  that,  as  a  brother,  if  aught  of  be- 
nevolence rules  in  my  heart,  now  while  my  health  is  gone,  and  I  stand 
rejoicing  on  the  brink  of  the  eternal  world,  I  must  solemnly  warn  you, 
that  except  you  are  born  of  the  Spirit,  there  is  ceaseless  sorrow  before 
you — that  there  is  a  fire  never  to  be  quenched,  where  all  will  be  lost ! 
— forever  lost !  O  the  loss  of  the  soul !  Who  can  imagine  its  cease- 
less woes  !  a  night  beyond  which  no  day  will  ever  dawn — pain  without 
pleasures,  sorrows  without  joys,  where  the  sweets  of  society  and  of 
sympathy  will  never  cheer  the  heart — wherj  there  will  be  an  ocean  of 
pain  without  one  drop  of  ease,  and  an  eternity  of  woes  without  any 
relief ! 

'  Tempests  of  angry  Are  will  roll, 
And  beat  in  one  eternal  storm 
Upon  the  naked  soul !" 

Omy  brother,  fly  to  Christ;  fly  now.  Don't  delay.  God  'hates  putting  oflT.' 
We  know  not  our  time.  '  As  the  bird  is  caught  in  the  snare,  and  the  fishes 
are  taken  in  an  evil  net,  so  the  sons  of  men  are  snared  in  an  evil  time 
when  it  falleth  suddenly  upon  them.'  Let  us  then  be  ready.  O  that  I 
may  hear  that  you  are  a  decided  Christian  *  before  I  go  hence  to  be  here 
no  more.'  Pray  write  to  me,  and  let  me  know  your  state  of  mind.  Tell 
me  all  about  it.  It  would  be  a  satisfaction  to  me.  I  can  but  pray  for 
you  daily  :  I  trust  your  dear  wife  does  the  same,  and  I  know  your  sis- 
ter Marilla  does.  Do  you  pray  for  yourself?  Don't  be  offended  at  my 
importunity.     The  case  is  an  urgent  one.        #        *        * 

Yours  aflfectionately,  D.Marks." 

Mr.  Marks,  for  some  time,  refused  to  employ  a  physician,  believ- 
ing that  his  efforts  would  be  unavailing,  but  at  length,  for  the  grat- 
ification of  his  anxious  family,  he  consented.  Medicine  appeared 
to  have  the  desired  effect,  his  system  again  seemed  invigorated, 
his  bloating  subsided,  and  finally  disappeared.  In  the  mean  time, 
as  spring  opened,  he  busied  himself  in  the  cultivation  of  his  gar- 
den as  his  strength  would  permit,  an  employment  which  benefited 
him,  and  in  which  he  greatly  delighted.  But,  with  his  returning 
strength,  though  he  did  not  feel  able  to  resume  his  studies,  he  could 
not  be  restrained  from  his  much  loved  work  of  preaching  Christ. 
Accordingly  he  resumed  his  labors  in  some  of  the  churches  with 
which  he  was  preaching  previous  to  his  tour  to  New  Hampshire, 
and  also  organized  a  church  in  Henrietta,  four  miles  from  Oberlin, 
to  which  he  preached  every  fourth  Sabbath.  During  the  spring 
he  commenced  an  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Edmund  B.  Fail^field, 
a  member  of  the  Faculty  of  Oberlin  College,  which  soon  ripened 
into  strong  Clmstian  friendship.  He  was  a  Calvinistic  Baptist  li- 
censed minister,  and  first  called  on  Mr.  Marks  for  the  purpose  of 
conversing  on  the  subject  of  free-communion.  Not  long  afterwards, 
he  united  with  the  Free-will  Baptists. 
37 


11 . 1.    », 


!,   N  -  ■?*  >  ■ 

t     ■        J-/ 


I: 


434 


HEHoma  or 


May  25,  Mr.  Marks  attended  the  Lake  Erie  quarterly  meeting 
at  North  Amherst,  and  preached  on  tlie  subject  of  sanctifieation, 
from  1  Thess.  5:23.  He  introduced  his  subject  by  saying,  "  Had 
all  the  evil  spirits  in  the  universe  held  a  three  hundred  and  sixty-five 
days'  council  in  pandemonium,  they  could  not  possibly  have  suc- 
ceeded better  in  their  designs,  than  to  have  invented  measures  to 
establish  the  doctrine  in  the  church  of  Jesus  Christ  that  the  blood 
of  Christ  never  cleanses  a  soul  from  all  sin  in  this  life."  In  June, 
he  attended  the  Ohio  Northeni  yearly  meeting.  This  body  now 
passed  some  very  spirited  resolutions  on  the  subject  of  slavery. 
Hitherto  they  had  not  taken  a  very  high  stand  in  the  cause  of  ab- 
olition. Mr.  Marks  was  appointed  one  of  the  delegates  to  the 
General  Conference  to  meet  the  ensuing  fall  in  Plainfield  in  the 
eastern  part  of  New  York.  He  declined  the  appointment,  still 
thinking  his  recovery  doubtful.  His  acceptance  was  urged  on  the 
ground  that  if  he  did  not  recover,  he  ought  to  go  and  meet  his  breth- 
ren once  more,  and  as  a  substitute  was  elected  in  case  of  his  fail- 
ure, it  was  insisted  that  his  appointment  should  remain. 

In  the  latter  part  of  June,  he  had  a  public  discussion  on  the  sub- 
ject  of  baptism  with  Dr.  Shaffer,  a  Methodist  presiding  elder. 
Several  months  previous,  in  compliance  with  the  urgent  request  of 
a  number  of  ministers,  he  had  consented  to  meet  Dr.  Shaffer,  who, 
as  he  was  informed,  devoted  a  considerable  part  of  his  time  to  preach- 
ing on  this  subject,  advocating  the  position,  that  immersion  was  not 
baptism,  and  had  challenged  the  Baptist  world  to  meet  him.  The 
discussion  was  held  in  the  Methodist  meeting  house  in  New  Haven, 
Huron  Co.  and  continued  five  days.  Mr.  Marks  was  assisted  by 
brother  E.  B.  Fairfield  of  Oberlin,  a  liberty  he  requested  on  ac- 
count of  his  health.  Fifteen  Methodist  and  nineteen  Free-will 
Baptist  preachers  wore  among  the  attendants.  Among  the  novel 
positions  of  Dr.  Shaffer  was  the  following :  "  That  as  baptism  is 
the  answer  of  a  good  conscience,  the  candidate  should  have  his 
choice  as  to  the  mode  of  administration ;  but  that  immersion  is 
not  a  scriptural  mode  of  Christian  baptism,  and  that  therefore  he 
would  not  immerse  those  applicants  who  desire  to  be  baptized  in 
this  way,  but  would  send  them  to  his  brother  ministers."  Previous 
to  the  discussion,  it  was  agreed  that  no  public  expression  of  the 
congregation  should  be  taken.  Some  idea  of  its  merits,  may  be 
formed  from  the  following  article,  which  appeared  in  the  Morning 
Star.  It  was  written  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Free-will  Baptist 
Book  Concern,  and  was  signed  by  twelve  ministers. 

*'  Dear  Brethren: — The  undersigned,  having  been  in  attendance  dur- 
ing the  discussion  on  baptism  between  brother  Marks  and  Dr.  Shaffer, 
which  commenced  on  the  24th  inst.  and  was  continued  five  days,  take  this 
method  of  expressing  to  you  our  fullest  conviction,  that  Baptist  senti- 


■n 


DAVID   HARKS. 


485 


eting 

Uion, 

Had 

-five 


ments  have  been  triumphantly  sustained,  both  as  it  respects  the  subjects 
of  baptism,  and  the  manner  of  its  administration.  We  are  also  of  the 
opinion,  that  it  would  greatly  subserve  the  interests  of  true  religion,  to 
have  the  principal  arguments  used  in  this  debate,  published  in  a  book 
form  for  the  use  of  the  Christian  public.  Such  a  work  is  needed  by 
our  denomination,  especially  in  the  new  states,  where  our  sentiments 
are  continually  assailed  by  the  crudest  objections,  and  most  shameless 
dogmatisms.  The  arguments  adduced  by  our  brother  Marks,  are,  in 
our  judgment,  admirably  suited  to  the  times,  in  view  of  the  various  and  con- 
flicting sentiments  entertained  respecting  the  design,  mode,  and  subjects 
of  baptism.  There  are,  indeed,  many  valuable  works  before  the  public, 
treating  on  these  points,  but  in  no  one  of  them  do  we  find  any  consider- 
able portion  of  the  arguments  used  on  this  occasion.  Ever  since  this 
discussion  was  first  contemplated,  brother  Marks  has  been  actively  en- 
gaged in  collecting  his  materials  for  debate,  so  that  no  point  of  attack 
has  been  left  undefended.  A  very  considerable  share  of  his  matter  is 
already  in  manuscript,  having  been  copied  from  Pedo-Baptists  lexicog- 
raphers, commentators,  authors  of  the  highest  distinction,  whose  numer- 
ous concessions,  of  themselves,  form  an  unanswerable  argument  in  fa- 
vor of  Baptist  sentiments.  In  collecting  these  materials,  brother  Marks 
has  been  assisted  by  our  gifled  and  worthy  brother  Fairfield,  a  tutor  in 
Oberlin  college,  and  has  been  enabled  to  collect  an  amount  of  valuable 
testimony  in  favor  of  immersion  far  exceeding  our  most  sanguine  ex- 
pectations. #  #  #  The  arguments  used  in  this  debate, 
should  you  publish  them,  will  be  found  to  contain  the  statements  of  the 
ablest  critics  and  lexicographers,  on  all  the  varieties  of  sentiment  enter- 
tained on  the  subject  of  baptism,  with  accurate  references  to  the  books 
where  they  may  be  found,  so  that  one  may  have  within  a  compass  of 
some  four  hundred  pages,  substantially,  the  arguments  of  the  learned 
Carson,  of  Pengilly  and  Hinton,  the  valuable  arguments  of  Camp- 
bell with  McAuley,  and  more  recently  with  Dr.  Rice,  besides  many  oth- 
er excellent  works  of  less  magnitude.  *  *  •  But  the 
greatest  value  of  these  materials,  arises  from  the  fact  that  they  are  so 
simplified  as  to  bring  the  most  elaborate  arguments  drawn  from  classic 
usage,  and  other  learned  disquisitions  within  the  comprehension  of  th« 
general  reader." 

Mr.  Marks  greatly  enjoyed  this  discussion,  but  the  mental  effort 
much  reduced  his  strength,  and  he  never  was  able  to  comply  with 
the  many  requests  to  prepare  the  work  for  publication.  On  his  re- 
turn to  Oberlin,  he  received  the  following,  in  reply  to  the  resignation 
he  had  tendered  of  his  agency  for  the  Strafford  Institution. 

"  Dear  Brother  Marks : — The  account  you  gave  us  of  your  health,  and 
the  resignation  of  your  agency,  has  filled  us  with  no  small  concern. 
•  *  *  It  is  the  settled  opinion  of  the  Board,  that  your  visit  to 
New  Hampshire,  and  your  powerful  eflbrt  as  our  agent,  was  of  God, 
and  that  the  hand  of  God  was  manifest  in  that  effort,  and  further,  that 
if  you  could  find  it  to  be  duty  to  come  with  your  family  to  New  Eng- 
land and  reside  for  a  term  of  time  with  us,  that  you  world  soon  free 
our  Seminary  of  learning,  that  God  has  so  manifestly  owned  and  bless- 
ed with  the  out-pouring  of  his  Spirit.    And  further,  we  believe  that  if 


;  n^ 


'.■1l:i 


i  i  'i  iii 


I'  i 


i: 


:i:: 


dG 


MEMOIRS    OF 


our  Institution  is  ever  saved,  it  will  appear  to  have  been  done  by  your  ef- 
forts. At  the  last  meeting  of  our  Trustees,  they  voted  and  directed  me 
to  write  to  you,  that  they  cannot  give  you  up,  if  Clod  will,  in  answer  to 
prayer,  restore  your  health.  I  remarked  to  the  Board,  that  I  was  will- 
ing to  write,  and  would  do  it  cheerfully,  but  that  I  believed  you  had 
made  up  your  mind  that  you  hud  (lone  all  you  could  for  us,  or  yon 
would  not  have  sent  us  your  resignation.  All  this,  however,  would 
avail  nothing ;  write  I  must,  or  some  other  one  of  the  Board  would,  for 
they  are  determined  to  hear  from  you  before  they  appoint  any  other  one 
as  agent.  Do,  brother,  pray  over  this  subject,  and  come,  if  your  health 
will  permit.  We  do  not  entertain  a  doubt  of  your  success,  for  the  ob- 
jections that  lay  in  your  way,  have  by  you  and  the  above  named  com- 
mittee, been  removed  from  the  minds  of  all  who  have  received  the  intel- 
ligence. *  *  O  that  God's  will,  and  not  ours,  may  be  done  in 
this  thing.  Yours  in  love,  E.  Place." 

In  reply,  Mr.  Marks  recommended  brother  E.  B.  Fairfield  a.s 
his  successor  in  the  agency,  and  he  was  afterwards  employed  by 
the  Trustees. 

During  the  months  of  July  and  August,  Mr.  Marks  remained 
mostly  in  Oberlin,  except  on  the  Sabbath,  his  health,  meanwhile, 
again  improving.  He  was  very  happy,  for  he  was  in  an  atmos- 
phere congenial  to  his  feelings,  and  he  enjoyed,  with  the  keenest 
relish,  the  moral,  intellectual,  and  religious  repasts  so  often  spread 
in  Oberlin.  But  he  could  not  rest  to  enjoy  them  alone.  He  loved  to 
impart  his  good  things  to  others,  and  accordingly  frequently  report- 
ed for  the  Star,  some  of  the  interesting  meetings  he  attended. 
Among  these  reports  were  seven  lectures  on  slavery  by  Professor 
Hudson,  and  Professor  A.  Walker's  account  of  his  tour  in  Eng- 
land and  France.  Perhaps  there  were  few  occasions  that  filled 
him  with  greater  delight,  than  the  celebration  of  West  India 
emancipation,  conducted  entirely  by  the  colored  people.  The  de- 
corum, taste,  and  refinement,  exhibited  by  them  during  the  exer- 
cises of  the  day,  afforded  him  the  sweetest  enjoyment,  as  it  was  a 
demonstration  of  the  power  of  liberty,  science,  and  religion,  to  el- 
evate this  crushed  and  down-trodden  race. 

Mr.  Marks'  physician  having  advised  him  to  journey  in  an  easy 
caiTiage,  entirely  laying  aside  preaching,  he  concluded  to  attend 
the  General  Conference ;  and,  accordingly,  Friday,  September 
13,  he  left  home  in  his  own  conveyance,  accompanied  by  his 
wife,  and  brother  Fairfield,  who  was  going  on  his  agency  to 
New  Hampshire.  Saturday  and  Sabbath  following,  he  attended 
the  Lorain  quarterly  meeting  in  Sheffield.  Two  ministers  united 
at  this  session,  brethren  H.  Wellington  and  Charles  Pierce.  The 
former,  an  Oberlin  student,  was  from  Massachusetts,  and  had  hith- 
erto been  connected  with  the  Calvinistic  Baptists.  The  latter  was 
a  Congregationalist  licensed  minister,  formerly  a  student  at  Ober- 


m 


mii 


DAVID    MARKS. 


437 


|ir  ef- 

3d  me 

»er  to 

will- 

had 

kr  you 

^ould 

|ld,  for 

jr  one 

health 

Hie  ob- 

com- 

intel- 


lin,  who,  having  embraced  BaptUt  views,  beHeved  he  had  never 
been  scripturally  baptized.  At  hifl  request,  Mr.  Marks  now  bap- 
tized him,  and  a  very  impressive  season  was  enjoyed. 

Prosecuting  his  journey,  and  enjoying  the  kind  attentions  of 
brother  Fairfield,  Mr.  Marks  Ibund  his  health  improving,  till  two 
or  three  days  before  he  reached  Plainfield,  when  he  took  a  fevore 
cold,  and  his  dropsical  ditliculties  returned.  He  reached  Pluin- 
field  in  season  to  be  present  at  the  organization  of  the  Conference. 
Fifty-three  delegates  attended,  besides  several  other  leading  breth- 
ren, who  had  come  from  different  states  to  enjoy  the  discussions  of 
the  Conference,  and  attend  the  anniversaries  of  the  benevolent  so- 
cieties. Soon  after  the  Conference  was  opened,  a  little  time  was 
spent  in  listening  to  the  remarks  of  brethren  considerably  advanc- 
ed in  life,  who  had  seen  much  of  the  glory  of  God.  The  season 
was  a  melting  one,  and  an  excellent  preparation  for  the  discussions 
before  them.  The  reports  from  the  different  parts  of  the  denom- 
ination were  cheering.  Nine  yearly  meetings,  most  of  which  had 
been  newly  organized,  were  received  into  membership.  One  of 
this  number  had  been  raised  up  through  the  instrumentality  of  a 
minister  sent  out  by  the  Home  Mission  Board  at  an  expense  of 
only  SI 500.  A  very  interesting  letter  was  received  from  the  mis- 
sionaries in  India.  They  had  formed  small  churches  at  two  sta- 
tions, which  they  had  organized  into  a  quarterly  meeting,  called 
Balasore.  All  seemed  astonished  at  the  rapid  spread  of  the  de- 
nomination within  the  last  few  years. 

Resolutions,  accompanied  by  soul-stirring  speeches,  were  passed 
with  great  unanimity,  on  Slavery,  Missions,  Moral  Refoi-m,  Popery,. 
Temperance,  Sabbath  Schools,  Education,  State  of  Religion, 
Church  Polity,  Secret  Societies,  Printing  Establishment,  &c. 
Among  the  resolutions  on  slavery  were  the  following :  "  Resolved, 
That  all  human  laws  which  require  men  to  violate  the  laws  of 
God,  are  wicked  laws,  and  should  not  be  obeyed.  Resohed,  That 
all  laws  which  require  us  to  assist  in  returning  the  fugitive  slave 
into  bondage,  or  prohibit  us  from  feeding,  clothing,  or  protecting 
him,  contravene  the  laws  of  God,  and  therefore  should  not  be  re- 
garded. Resolved,  That  this  Conference  believe  it  to  be  the  duty 
of  all  Christian  voters  to  act  on  anti-slavery  principles  at  the  bal- 
lot box." 

The  following  are  a  few  of  the  remarks  Mr.  Marks  made  in  sup- 
port of  the  last  resolution,  and  are  introduced  as  exemplifying 
some  of  his  views  of  the  political  duty  of  a  Chi'isti^  citizen.  He 
said:— 

"  In  this  business  of  voting,  there  is  a  great  moral  principle,  which 
has  not  been  sufficiently  weighed  by  the  church  to  enable  her  to  fix  up- 
on her  conscience,  the  responsibility  she  has  at  the  ballot  box  in  a  re- 
87* 


>,  ><( 


"  1  <■  ■  ij 


£•  '-m 


438 


MEMOIRS    or 


publican  pfovorninont.  fJod  has  onininnd  liuman  govrrnmont.  Tlio 
form  of  f^ovcrnmcnt  aiui  i\\v,  ewwiHc  of  fjoverniiuMttuI  powors,  are 
left  to  bo  (Ictcriniiied  by  circumHtaiiccs.  In  a  n-publie,  tho  peo- 
ple aro  till!  sovcrciifn*,  —  ibc  f;ovrrnors — and  CJod  holds  theni  re- 
sponsible as  Huch.  One's  (ItcUniuu;  to  act  as  a  governor,  lesHcnti 
not  \\'\ii  rospoiiHibility  to  Uod,  ho  long  as  his  power  to  act  remains  in  his 
own  hand.  Nor  does  the  fact  that  one  cannot  alone  carry  his  point  at 
the  ballot  box,  lessen  his  moral  obligation,  so  far  as  his  proportion  of 

f lower  or  influence  is  concerned.     It  is  not  necessary  that  a  mob  of  one 
lundred  should  kill  a  hundred  individuals,   in  order  to  constitute  each 
one  a  murderer.     All  who  engage  in  a  mob  which  kills  a  single  individ- 
ual aro  murderers.    So  it  is  in  a  republican  government.    I  am  responsi- 
ble for  every  principle  1  vote  to  have  carried  out.     Nor  will  it  avail  me 
anything  to  plead  as  an  excuse,  that  if  I  had  not  voted  to  put  in  an  im- 
moral man,  others  would  have  put  him  in  without  me.     I  might  on  the 
same  principle,  rob,  sell  rum,  practice  licentiousness,  &c.,  pleading  that 
I  deplore  these  evils  '  as  much  as  any  body,' — *  but' — if  I  uon't  practice 
them,  •  others  will,'         •        •         #        #        ♦         There  is  sophis- 
try in  this  doctrine  '  of  two  evils,  choose  the  least,'  which  is  often 
overlooked.     Evil  has  two  meanings ;  one  signifies  sin — the  other  ca- 
lamity.    Now,  while  in  the  last  sense,  it  is  lawful  to  choose  the  least  ol 
evils,  as  did  David  when  he  chose  between    sword,  pestilence,  and 
famine,  it  is  not  true  in  the  first  sense,  moral  evils,  that  we  should 
chose  the  least.     To  choose  the  least  of  two  moral  evils,  is  to  choose  to 
sin.     To  sin,  under  a  pretence  of  eflfecting  a  greater  good,  is  not  only  a 
simple,  foolish  doctrine,  amid  the  light  of  this  age,  but  it  is  a  horrible 
doctrine,  a  '  damnable  heresy,'  and  joins  its  advocates  to  those  of  whom 
Paul  said  their  language  was  :  '  Let  us  do  evil  that  good  may  come." 
Were  there  three  candidates  up  for  President  of  the  United  States,  the 
first  being  the  devil,  the  second  a  thief,  and  the  third  an  honest  man  ; 
and  had  I  the  casting  vote  between  the  devil  and  the  thief,  I  would  by 
no  means  give  it  to  the  thief  to  keep  the  devil  out,  simply  because  T 
have  no  riijfht  to  vote  for  the  thief  to  keep  others  from  putting  in  the 
devil.     I  Riv3t  vote  for  the  honest  man,  though  by  my  adherence  to 
principle,  another  should  have  the  casting  vote,   and  put  in  the  devil. 
He  then  will  have  the  guilt  before  all  heaven,  earth  and  hell,  of  putting 
in  the  devil,  and  I,  before  all  the  same  witnesses,  will  have  the  praise  to 
all  eternity,  of  voting  for  the  honest  man.     Let  me  illustrate  the  moral 
responsibility  of  voting.     Suppose  here  is  a  crank  connected  with  a 
wheel,  that  wheel  with  another,  the  second  with  a  third,  ind  so  on  to 
five  hundred  wheels,  and  I  take  hold  of  the  crank,  and  turn  it,  and  that 
turns  the  first  wheel,  that  the  next,  and  so  on  ;  and  the  five  hundredth 
wheel  turns  a  sword  in  such  a  manner  as  to  cut  oiF  a  man's  head. 
Now,  who  does  not  know  that  I  am  just  as  much  a  murderer  as  though 
I  had  done  it  directly  by  taking  the  sword  into  my  own  hand.     To  say 
I  did  not  kill  the  man,  that  I  merely  turned  the  crank,  &c.  is  a  mere 
quibble.     God  holds  me  responsible  for  the  natural  results,  which  I  saw 
would  accrue  from  my  turning  the  crank.     So  in  the  business  of  voting. 
Here  is  a  law  system,  which  not  only  robs  the  slaves  of  all  their  earnings, 
but  compels  them  to  licentiousness,  and  kills  multitudes  of  them.     But 
who  made  and  retains  the  slave  code  that  does  all  this  wickedness  ?    The 


DAVID  MARKS. 


400 


law-mukrrs.  Wlio  mukn  thn  hw-malu'rs^  Tlio  votorn — th«»  .sovorrinii 
poopl*'.         •         •         •         •         #  HciuM!  it  followB  thai  tvt>ry  vo- 

tor  who  voles  to  Mfiid  a  pro-shivrry  ajjonl  to  Conj^rfhsi,  or  pul  «tne  into 
11  luw-inaking  ofFico,  i«  himNclf  a  rolihrr,  and,  */'  hf  knows  nil  ihv  rircunt' 
stmxcea  which  itiii  voto  thim  sanctions,  ho  itt  alno  u  murdrrer,  and  Clod 
will  hold  him  responMihIe  0.1  Murh.         •         •         •         • 

The  ooramittee  on  secret  .socieli*'!^,  of  which  Mr.  Marks  was 
chairnmn,  reported  as  follows  : 

••  That  the  watchfulness  of  tho  puhlic  eye  is  essential  to  the  purity  of 
all  associated  hodies  and  institutions  whatever  ;  and  that,  in  the  present 
state  of  society,  however  pure  may  he  the  motives  and  principles  of 
the  founders  of  secret  societies,  secrecy  is  sure  to  corrupt  them.  •  * 
In  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  all  extrajudicial  oaths  or  affirmationH 
for  the  keeping  of  the  secrets  of  such  associations  as  Free  Masons, 
Odd  Fellows,  Roehahites,  and  similar  combinations,  ;»re  contrary  to 
the  Bible,  which  forbids  us  to  forswear  ourselves,  and  contrary  to  the 
spirit  of  the  (Christian  religion,  w  hieh  does  not  allow  its  subjects  to 
agree  to  things  which  thoy  do  not  understand,  or  to  take  obligations 
upon  them  which  they  do  not  know  for  themselves  the  bearings  of,  in 
contingencies  which  inav  arise, — Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we  advise  our  churches,  as  far  as  practicable,  to  avert 
this  evil  in  its  first  beginnings,  by  laboring  with  ail  who  take  upon  them 
the  extra  judicial  oaths  or  pledge's  of  these  societies,  or  wlio  remain 
connected  with  them." 

The  report  of  tlie  Book  Concern  afforded  matter  for  devout 
thanksgiving,  and  furnished  ample  testimony  of  the  wisdom  and 
prudence  with  which  it  had  continued  to  be  conducted.  Its  value 
was  now  estimated  at  S25134,  it  was  free  from  debt,  and  had  sev^'ral 
hundred  dollars  surplus  funds,  whicli  tin;  Conference  voted  to  di- 
vide between  the  Mission  and  Education  Societies.  The  Morning 
Star  had  been  enlarged  the  third  time,  and  otherwise  improved, 
without  addition  to  tlie  price. 

But  perhaps  no  subject  that  came  before  tlio  Conference  awaken- 
ed so  much  interest  as  the  location  of  the  "  Biblical  School,"  an 
Institution  which  had  been  established  by  the  Education  Society, 
and  had  been  in  operation  several  years  without  any  permanent  lo- 
cation. The  Trustees  of  Clinton  Seminary,  N.  Y.,  had  made  a  very 
advantageous  exchange  of  their  Institution  for  tlie  buildings  of  the 
Oneida  Institute  in  Whitestown.  They  were  anxious  the  Biblical 
School  should  be  located  with  them,  and  had  offered  to  give  the  use 
of  one  of  their  hirge  buildings.  Other  very  generous  offers  had  been 
made  from  other'places ;  and  the  Society  had  referred  the  decision  to 
the  General  Conference.  Notwithstanding  the  local  interests,  that 
could  but  have  their  influence  on  the  minds  of  the  members,  the 
discussion  was  conducted  in  the  most  Christian  spirit,  and  the  de- 
cision finally  was  in  favor  of  Whitestown. 


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440 


MEMOIRS    OF 


After  a  week's  sitting,  when  the  time  for  the  adjournment  of  the 
Conference  arrived,  a  very  great  solemnity  rested  upon  its  mem- 
bers, several  of  whom  addressed  their  brethren.  But  probably  to 
none  was  it  more  solemn  than  to  Mr.  Marks.  He  said,  "  I  thank 
my  Heavenly  Father  for  the  strength  he  has  unexpectedly  given 
me  to  come  to  this  Conference,  and  see  so  many  that  are  dear  to 
my  heart.  My  feeble  health  admonishes  me,  that  probably  this  is 
the  last  time  that  I  shall  see  your  faces  in  this  world,  and  that  I 
have  for  the  last  time  reported  your  speeches.  But  I  thank  God 
that  for  me  '  to  live  is  Christ,  to  die  would  be  gain.'  I  wish  to  ask 
you  all  to  pray  for  me."  The  "  Christian's  Hope,"  by  Mr.  Sutton, 
commencing, 

"  Ilail  sweetest,  dearest  tie  that  bindii 
Our  glowing  liearts  in  one," 

was  sung,  and  nearly  all,  if  not  all,  wept  as  they  exchanged  salu- 
tations. Prayer  was  then  offered,  and  an  affecting  separation  fol- 
lowed, accompanied  with  many  tears. 

Thus  closed  the  twelfth  General  Conference.  It  had  embodied 
a  greater  array  of  talent  and  sterling  piety,  than  had  ever  before 
been  assembled  in  the  Free-will  Baptist  denomination.  It  was 
also  the  most  interesting  and  important  in  its  results.  In  subse- 
quent days,  the  subject  of  these  memoirs  often  referred  to  this  Con- 
ference, while  tears  of  gratitude  would  flow  down  his  cheeks,  and, 
in  the  most  melting  accents,  he  would  thank  his  Heavenly  Father 
that  he  had  strengthened  him  to  attend  it,  and  had  permitted  him 
to  live  to  see  so  many  strong  young  men  raised  up  to  fight  in  the 
holy  war,  and  then  he  would  frequently  add,  that  he  could  be  spar- 
ed from  the  field,  and  he  Avas  ready  to  depart  in  peace. 

AVednesday  afternoon,  Oct.  9,  Mr.  Mai*ks  set  out  on  his  return 
homeward,  and  as  he  had  been  able,  during  the  Conference,  to 
write  out  but  little  part  of  the  notes  of  his  reports,  Jiiid  there  was 
much  anxiety  for  their  immediate  appearance  in  the  Star,  he  em- 
ployed much  of  his  time  while  travelling,  in  writing.  These  reports 
when  published,  occupied  between  fifty  and  sixty  columns,  and  were 
read  with  tlie  greatest  avidity.  On  his  return,  he  visited  the  In- 
stitution at  Wliitestown,  and  was  extremely  gratified  with  all  he 
saw.  During  a  night  in  which  he  stopped  between  Rochester  and 
Buffalo,  the  country  was  visited  by  a  most  dreadful  tempest,  which, 
with  its  effects,  he  thus  described  in  the  Star : 

"The  prophet  Isaiah  said,  that  Chriet  should  be  'A  hiding  place 
from  the  wind,  and  a  covert  from  the  tempest.'  In  the  land  of  Judea, 
where  the  storms  are  frequently  terrible  and  awfully  sublime,  the  figure 
used  in  the  above  passage  is  a  striking  one.  Nor  has  it  been  less  stri- 
kingly appropriate  to  multituder  on  Take  Erie,  and  in  western  New 
York,  who  have  witnessed  the  heart-rending  effects  of  a  terrible  tem- 


i^. 


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in- 
to 
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to 
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It  I 


DAVID   MARKS. 


441 


pest,  which  happened  on  Saturday  morning,  Oct.  18,  1844,  We  were 
then  on  our  return  from  the  General  Conference,  and  had  taken  lodgings 
at  the  house  of  brother  A.  Achilles  in  Oak  Orchard,  about  thirty  miles 
from  Rochester.  At  one  o'clock  in  the  morning,  we  were  awakened  by 
the  noise  of  the  wind  and  the  tremulous  motion  of  the  house  in 
which  we  lodged.  At  two  o'clock,  the  family  were  up,  and  the  shaking 
of  the  house  warned  us  to  flee  to  some  stronger  retreat.  We  were 
scarcely  dressed,  when  there  came  a  crash,  the  whole  building  reeled, 
and,  for  a  moment,  we  expected  to  be  buried  in  its  ruins.  The  roof  of 
the  kitchen  had  fallen  in,  and  we  now  all  fled  to  a  neighboring  house. 
There  we  listened  for  hours  to  the  ragings  of  the  gale,  and  as  we  thought 
of  the  scenes  of  distress  on  the  adjacent  lakes,  which,  from  the  sudden- 
ness of  the  tempest  must  be  unavoidable,  we  engaged  in  prayer.  Sat- 
urday, we  continued  our  journey  westward,  and  through  the  whole 
country  witnessed  extensive  damages,  such  as  the  destruction  of  timber, 
fences,  and  buildings.  Four  days  after  the  gale,  we  visited  the  lower 
part  of  Bufl^alo,  which  had  been  inundated.  The  wind  had  blown  from 
the  south-west  directly  down  the  lake  with  such  force,  that  the  whole 
body  of  the  lower  end  of  the  lake  had  risen,  some  sa.id  sixteen  feet! 
This,  with  the  unprecedented  dashing  of  the  waves,  caused  an  amount 
of  destruction  which  almost  surpasses  the  power  of  description.  On  one 
of  the  largest  streets  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city,  we  were  told  that  the 
water  stood  five  feet  deep  in  the  street.  Yet  beneath  the  large  blocks  of 
buildings  were  under-ground  rooms,  some  of  which  were  used  for  sleep- 
ing apartments.  At  one  time,  it  was  said,  the  water  rose  four  feet  m 
five  minutes.  In  some  cases,  a  furious  wave  would  burst  in  a  door  or 
window,  and  fill  a  room  so  suddenly,  that  the  inmates  had  only  time  to 
awake  and  perish !  How  awful  to  such  must  have  been  that  moment ! 
They  had  not  the  most  distant  dream  of  danger.  They  slept  as  calmly 
as  others.  They  heard  the  noise  of  water — sprang  from  their  beds,  and 
found  themselves  in  the  dark  rising  flood — they  were  covered  with  ii — 
no  intelligence  as  to  the  cause — no  explanation — no  time  for  reasoning  ; 
and  the  awful  thought  rushed  on  the  soul — '  I  am  drowning — escape  is 
impossible — it  is  done — now  I  must  meet  my  Judge — am  1  ready? — No 
time  for  preparation — O  !  lam  going — going — gone  !'  It  was  said,  that 
the  screams  of  distress  and  cries  for  help,  that  alternately  rose  and  died 
away  amid  the  waves  ai  d  winds  from  two  o'clock  till  sunrise,  were 
enough  to  melt  a  heart  f  stone.  We  were  informed  that  the  bodies 
of  fifty-five  had  been  picked  up  and  carried  to  the  court  house,  where 
they  were  left  for  a  season  that  their  friends  might  identify  them.  Many 
were  missing  that  had  not  been  found.  Some  were  of  the  opinion  that 
one  hundred  lives  were  lost  in  BuflTalo,  but,  considering  the  number  of 
those  whose  bodies  may  have  washed  down  the  Niagara  river,  and  sunk 
into  the  dreadful  whirlpool  below  the  Falls,  never  more  to  rise  till  Cia- 
briel's  trump  shall  call  out  the  dead  from  earth's  deepest  caverns,  no 
one  can  be  sure  of  even  the  probable  number  lost.  We  stood  in  the 
south  part  of  the  city,  on  the  edge  of  the  ruins,  nearly  a  mile  from  the 
lake,  and  with  the  most  solemn  feelings  surveyed  the  scene  of  desola- 
tion, which  for  more  than  a  mile  in  extent,  north  and  south,  east  and 
west,  met  the  eye.  ♦  *  *  Though  now  four  days  after  the  destruc- 
tion, almost  all  kinds  of  materials  seen  in  a  city  weie  here  piled  in  end- 


. .,  «v 


i  '1   'i 


.,^i?^r 


4kf,/  - 


442 


MEMOIRS   OF 


less  confusion.  Large  numbers  of  teams,  and  hundreds  if  not  thousands 
of  workmen  were  engaged  in  clearing  away  and  regulating  this  singu- 
lar flood- wood."        *        #        *        # 

Leaving  Buffalo,  the  next  day  Mr.  Marks  visited  the  wreck  of 
the  steamer  Robert  Fulton,  lying  on  the  beach  twenty  miles  south 
of  Buffalo,  where  it  was  driven  ashore  during  the  gale,  with  about 
two  hundred  and  seventy-five  passengers  on  board.  It  was  to 
them  a  night  of  awful  terror,  and  of  earnest,  continued,  and  agon- 
izing prayer.  Two  were  drowned  in  the  steerage  cabin,  and  two 
were  washed  overboard.  He  was  told  by  one  of  the  passengers, 
that  an  infidel  was  on  board,  who  had  zealously  argued  his  princi- 
ples till  the  gale  struck  the  vessel,  and  then,  when  ^1  were  expect- 
ing to  be  lost,  he  prayed  as  fervently  as  any  one.  Mr.  Marks  con- 
tinuing his  journey,  arrived  in  Oberlin  the  early  part  of  Novem- 
ber. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

A  few  particulars  respecting  his  state  of  health,  last  labors,  death, 
funeral  sermon,  farewell  addresses,  S^c,   from  Nov.  1844,  to 

December,  1845.  Also,  extracts  from  the  correspondence  of 
friends,  containing  testimonials  of  their  esteem  and  views  of 

his  character,  Sfc. 

Mr.  Marks  preached  a  few  Sabbaths  after  his  return  to  Oberlin, 
but  he  found  that  every  attempt  increased  his  illness.  Professor 
Finney  now  interested  himself  in  his  case,  persuaded  him  to  relin- 
quish his  appointments,  and  encouraged  him  to  hope  that  continued 
rest,  sleeping  all  he  possibly  could,  and  omitting  the  use  of  medi- 
cine entirely,  would  yet  restore  him  to  a  tolerable  state  of  health. 
He  commenced  this  course,  and  was  astonished  at  the  changes  pro- 
duced. His  bloating  again  subsided,  his  system  became  somewhat 
invigorated,  and  his  friends  greatly  rejoiced  in  his  brightening 
prospects.  Professor  Finney,  in  his  kindness  and  care  for  him, 
used  often  to  go  out  hunting  wild  game,  with  which  he  kept  him 
ahnost  constantly  supplied  for  several  months.  Thus  passed  the 
winter  and  spring.  As  soon  as  Mr.  Marks'  friends  were  apprised 
of  his  state  of  health,  and  that  he  was  destitute  of  funds  to  meet  his 
current  expenses,  they  made  him  kind  and  liberal  remittances. 

May  31  and  June  1,  he  attended  the  Ohio  Northern  yearly 
meeting,  in  compliance  with  the  urgent  entreaties  of  brethren,  on 


I 


DAVID   MASKS. 


443 


condition  that  they  would  not  ask  him  to  preach.  It  was  held  in 
Spencer,  twenty  miles  from  Oberlin.  He  assisted  during  the  busi- 
ness meeting,  lying  down  a  part  of  the  time.  Sabbath  morning,  he 
gave  a  short  exhortation,  which  produced  a  thrilling  effect.  One 
impenitent  man  went  out,  because  he  said  he  would  not  be  seen  to 
weep,  and  if  he  had  remained,  he  should  have  burst  into  tears.  Af- 
ter the  meeting  Mr.  Marks  returned  to  Oberlin,  apparently  unin- 
jured by  this  effort. 

June  2.  A  minister  from  Michigan  called  to  persuade  him  to 
attend  the  Michigan  yearly  meeting,  which  was  soon  to  assemble.  lie 
urged  his  attendance  in  the  most  moving  terms,  and  was  especially 
anxious  on  account  of  a  literary  institution  the  yearly  meeting  had 
just  established.  A  charter  had  been  obtained  for  a  college,  called 
Michigan  Central  College,  and  the  school  was  then  in  operation  in 
Spring  Arbor,  under  the  superintendence  of  brother  Daniel  H. 
Graham,  a  graduate  from  Oberlin.  He  argued  that  he  could  rest 
about  as  weU  on  the  steam-boat  and  in  the  cars  as  he  could  at  home, 
and  that  a  trip  on  the  lake  would  benefit  him.  After  considerable 
consultation,  ttie  decision  of  the  matter  was  referred  to  Professor 
Finney,  who,  with  much  hesitation,  reluctant' v  said,  that  perhaps  it 
would  not  injure  liim.  June  4,  Mr.  Markt  'ook  a  steam-boat  for 
Detroit  at  Huron,  but  after  leaving  the  wharf,  found  the  berths  all 
engaged,  consequently  he  was  able  to  get  veiy  little  rest  through 
the  night.  At  Detroit,  he  took  the  cars.  The  following  letter 
from  brother  D.  H.  Graham,  written  since  the  death  of  Mr.  Marks, 
gives  a  few  particulars  respecting  his  visit  to  the  Michigan  yeaily 
meeting : 

**  Spring  Arbor,  Mich.  March  9,  1845. 
Dear  Sister  Marks  :— 

•  *  Our  yearly  meeting,  at  which  brother  Rlarks 
preached  his  last  sermon,  was  held  on  the  5th,  6th,  and  7th  of  June  last, 
in  our  meeting  house  at  Leoni.        *        • 

On  the  morning  of  the  5th  of  June,  I  set  out  for  the  yearly  metning. 
At  Jackson,  eight  miles  from  Detroit,  I  took  the  cars,  when,  to  r^y  great 
surprise,  and  still  greater  joy,  I  found  that  I  was  fellow  passenger  with 
Elder  Marks.  He  was  in  company  with  Elder  Elijah  Cook.  He  was 
unusually  cheerful — almost  jovial.  I  expressed  my  joy  for  the  privilege 
of  meeting  him  in  my  own  state,  and  of  listening  to  him  once  more  :  he 
said,  owing  to  illness,  he  should  not  attempt  to  preach.  In  a  few  mo- 
ments we  were  at  Leoni,  eight  miles  from  Jackson.  Having  been  in- 
troduced to  the  Conference,  he  asked  the  privilege  of  lying  down  during 
their  deliberations.  Accordingly,  he  took  his  position  on  a  buffalo  robe, 
his  head  being  supported  by  pillows.  As  Pitt  was  carried  on  a  bed  to 
Parliament  to  discharge  his  last  political  duty,  so,  in  future,  it  may  be 
said  of  brother  Marks,  that  he  was  borne  to  the  house  of  God  to  dis- 
charge his  last  two  public  duties  in  the  service  of  his  King.  He  fre- 
quently spoke  during  the  deliberations  of  the  conference,  sometimes 


i: 


444 


MEMOIRS   or 


standing,  sometimes  reclining.  Saturday  afternoon,  there  was  a  sormon 
and  religious  conference.  His  feelings  were  much  elated.  While  thus 
looking  upon  the  work  of  his  Master,  and  being  pressed  by  all,  he  con- 
sented to  preach  the  next  day.  Sabbath  morning,  the  church  was 
crowded,  and  many  were  standing  outside  at  the  doors  and  windows. 
After  a  sermon  preached  from  the  words,  *  If  any  man  thirst,  let  him 
come  unto  me  and  drink,'  your  husband  preached  from  Matt.  28:19,  80, 
'  Go  ye  therefore  and  teach  all  nations,'  &c.  He  kept  his  seat  for  the 
most  part  while  delivering  his  sermon.  He  was  very  moderate  when 
he  began,  manifestly  favoring  himself  what  he  could.  His  sermon  was 
simple  in  diction,  powerful  in  argument,  and  overwhelming  in  pathos. 
He  seemed  to  be  familiarly  talking  with  each  auditor  till  everyone  was  all 
attention,  then  compelling  conviction  by  his  argument,  while  tears  gush- 
ed from  his  own  eyes,  he  seemed  literally,  with  resistless  strains  of  elo- 
quence, to  melt  the  whole  audience  before  him.  In  vain  I  attempt  to 
describe  the  scene.  He  continued  thus  more  than  two  hours.  So  deep, 
lasting,  and  extensive,  were  the  impressions  made  by  that  sermon,  both 
among  professors  and  non-professors,  that  long,  long  after  the  speaker 
shall  have  lain  in  the  grave,  one  wanderer  after  another  will,  through 
its  influence,  be  brought  home  to  God. 

After  sermon,  he  was  taken  to  Elder  Limbocker's,  completely  ex- 
hausted. He  told  me  that  he  feared  that  he  had  done  wrong  in  preach- 
ing so  long.  I  parted  with  him,  expecting  never  to  meet  him  again,  as 
ii  was  then  his  intention  to  leave  the  next  morning  for  Oberlin.  The 
next  day,  however,  he  called  upon  me  in  Spring  Arbor,  apparently  in 
better  health  than  he  was  before  preaching.  When  passing  in  front  of 
the  new  building  erected  for  the  use  of  our  Institution  in  this  place,  he 
fixed  his  eye  on  it,  and  paused  for  a  while,  as  though  in  deep  thought. 
At  kngth,  addressing  himself  to  Elder  Coltrin,  he  spoke  with  deep 
emotion  of  the  progress  of  the  denomination.  •  Who  would  have 
thought  a  few  years  ago,'  said  he,  '  that  our  denomination  would,  from 
a  mere  infant,  have  become  a  great  people,  spreading  far  and  wide ! 
Who  would  have  thought,'  continued  he,  *  that  so  soon  after  hiding  my 
grammar,  lest  the  indignation  of  my  elder  brethren  would  be  out  against 
me,  we  should  have  one  literary  institution  after  another,  and  most  of  all 
away  here  at  the  West ! '  Many  remarks  similar  to  these  he  made 
while  with  us.  He  spoke  of  the  influence  this  institution  would  be 
likely  to  exert  in  the  great  battle  yet  to  be  fought  between  Truth  and 
Error  in  the  West.  So  elated  did  he  become,  that  he  even  shouted, 
'  Glory  to  God  !  Glory  to  God  ! !'  " 

Mr.  Marks  returned  to  Oberlin,  after  an  absence  of  eight  days, 
much  enfeebled.  Rest  now  failed  to  benefit  him ;  be  grew  worse 
rapidly,  and  his  symptoms  became  very  alarming.  After  much 
entreaty,  he  was  persuaded  to  resort  to  medicines  which  had  for- 
merly lessened  his  dropsical  difficulties,  but  they  produced  no  ef- 
fect. Again,  he  gave  up  all  hope  of  recovery,  but  was  very  calm 
and  happy.  Once  more,  in  deference  to  the  anxious  feelings  of  his 
family,  he  consented  to  call  a  physician  who  had  recently  settled 
in  Oberlin ;  but  told  him  he  had  no  expectation  that  he  could  ben- 
efit him.  The  physician,  after  an  examination  of  his  case,  expressed 


DAVID   MARKS. 


445 


'4) 


confidence  that  he  could  be  relieved ;  but  said  if  the  accumulation 
of  water  could  not  be  carried  off,  he  could  live  but  few  days.  He 
commenced  treating  his  case,  and  very  shortly  succeeded  beyond 
his  most  sanguine  expectations,  in  removing  the  dropsical  obstruc- 
tions, and  restoring  him  to  ease  and  comparative  comfort.  Again, 
his  friends  and  himself  were  flattered  with  hopes  of  his  restoration 
to  health.  Sometimes,  while  lying  on  his  couch,  and  thinking  of 
once  more  being  able  to  preach,  he  would  say,  "  0,  what  a  beauti- 
ful world  is  this.  I  am  not  anxious  to  leave  it.  O  the  precious 
harvest  of  the  Lord.  How  delightful  it  will  be  to  labor  in  it  again. 
I  would  like  to  live  a  hundi'ed  years,  if  it  were  my  Heavenly  Fath- 
er's will,  and  I  could  preach.  O,  I  would  like  to  see  the  triumphs 
the  gospel  will  then  have  won.  I  would  like  to  see  the  wonderful 
effects  wrought  by  the  annihilation  of  distance  by  steamboats,  rail- 
roads, and  the  wonderful  magnetic  telegraph.  God  will  use  all 
these  for  the  spread  of  his  knowledge."  Thus  he  would  often  go 
on,  his  eye  kindling  with  expression,  and  his  countenance  glowing 
with  emotions  too  big  for  utterance.  His  health  continued  to  im- 
prove for  a  few  weeks,  and  then  seemed  to  remain  about  station- 
ary. He  usually  rode  out  every  day,  and  sometimes  attended 
worship  on  the  Sabbath.  On  one  occasion,  at  Professor  Finney's 
request,  he  broke  bread  to  the  Oberlin  church,  and  made  some  re- 
marks, and  several  times  he  opened  or  closed  the  meetings  by 
prayer. 

In  the  mean  time,  he  was  often  cheered  by  the  letters  of  his 
Christian  friends.  Among  them  were  communications  from  his 
missionary  friends,  Sutton,  Bacheier,  and  Phillips.  The  latter 
wrote : 

"  Jellasore,  India,  Sept.  II,  1844. 
Dear  Brother  Marks  : — 

*  *  •  *  We  see  by  the  Star,  that  you  have  been  ex- 
tensively engaged  in  the  cause  of  education.  The  success  which  at- 
tended your  effort  in  Ohio  is  really  encouraging,  and  seems  to  have  been 
unprecedented  in  our  denomination. 

1  read  your  full  and  very  interesting  letter  of  March  13,  1844,  at  our 
late  quarterly  meeting,  it  being  of  common  interest  to  us  all.  We  all 
felt  sorry,  though  none  disappointed,  that  you  were  laid  aside  from  ac- 
tive labors,  and  suffering  from  '  nervous  debility.'  The  wonder  seemed 
rather  to  be,  that  you  still  kept  soul  and  body  together,  and  I  believe 
we  were  all  agreed  in  charging  you  with  imprudence.  *  Strength  equal 
to  your  day,'  •seems  not  to  satisfy  you.  You  grasp  after  the  strength  of 
three  or  four  days  in  one.  My  dear  brother,  is  this  wise?  I  trust  you 
have  taught  the  people  truths  that  will  not  soon  be  forgotten  ;  but  even 
to  do  this,  ought  a  man  to  kill  himself?  A  candle  lighted  at  both  ends 
must  soon  burn  out,  and  cease  to  afford  any  light.  On  the  subject  of 
your  own  education,  to  us  in  India,  you  appear  to  be  verging  an  ex- 
treme. Already  broken  down  with  hard  labor,  and  sinking  into  the 
38 


t\  ■u'^ 


i'rH 


Jf^'l*'    "J" 


446 


MEMOIRS   OF 


grave  under  the  pressure  of  premature  old  age,  the  vital  fluids  too  much 
exhausted  to  rally  again  soon,  you  are,  to  say  the  least,  in  a  poor  state 
of  body  or  mind,  to  endure  four  or  six  years  of  close  application  to  hard 
study,  not  to  inquire  what  your  prospects  for  usefulness  are  likely  to  be 
when  the  task  shall  have  been  accomplished,  should  you  live  so  long. 
One  would  think  that  David  might  well  have  been  content  with  Go- 
liah's  sword  in  addition  to  his  sling  and  smooth  stones,  without  coveting 
Saul's  armor,  and  especially  so,  when  he  sees  what  a  mighty  victory 
they  had  gained  for  Israel.  If  I  have  taken  too  great  liberty,  I  know 
you  will  pardon  me,  rather  than  take  it  amiss.  What  you  say  of  your 
state  of  mind  and  of  the  society  at  Oberlin,  is  calculated  to  represent 
your  situation  as  the  most  desirable  on  earth,  and  such  I  can  fancy  it  to 
be.  Many  thanks  for  your  offer  of  the  Oberlin  Evangelist.  I  should 
much  prize  the  Evangelist,  but  I  cannot  consent  to  have  you  give  it  to 
me.        •        *        •        •        *        * 

With  you,  I  look  forward  with  delight  to  the  time  we  shall  meet,  no 
more  to  part.  I  trust  I  can  say,  that  '  for  me  to  live  is  Christ,  to  die 
would  be  gain.'    Once  more,  adieu.  J.  Phillips." 

Elder  Place  wrote  him  June  7,  1845,  as  follows : 

"  Dear  Brother  Marks  : — 

You  cannot  conceive  the  peculiar  sensations  that  filled  my 
heart  at  the  close  of  the  General  Conference  at  Plainfield,  when  you 
told  us  that  it  was  the  last  time  you  ever  expected  to  report  the  doings 
of  that  body,  and  that  it  was  more  than  probable,  that  before  their  next 
session,  you  should  be  numbered  with  the  dead !  My  thoughts  flew 
quicker  than  lightning  over  our  beloved  denomination  in  solemn  search 
for  a  man  to  fill  your  place,  but  could  not  find  him;  neither  have  I 
been  any  more  successful  in  my  search  since,  than  at  that  time  ;  and  if 
there  is  one  of  our  brethren  whom  God  has  designed  to  fill  your  place,  it 
is  only  known  to  him,  and  not  to  us.  On  a  second  view  of  the  subject, 
I  have  never  been  able  to  bring  my  thoughts  to  believe  for  a  single  mo- 
ment that  your  gospel  labors  were  about  to  close  forever.  Hence  it  has 
been  my  earnest  prayer,  that  your  health  might  be  restored,  and  that 
our  brethren  might  pray  for  that  specific  object,  and  that  you  might  be 
reconciled  to  your  lot,  and  take  every  precaution  to;  recover  your  health. 
Whitefield  said  at  Exeter,  the  day  before  his  death,  that  he  was  not 
tired  o/"  the  way,  but  tired  m  the  way.  All  resignation  to  the  divine 
will,  to  live  or  die,  should  be  the  frame  of  mind  in  which  every  true  ser- 
vant of  Christ  should  be  found  ;  but  truly  this  is  no  small  work  or  mi- 
nor attainment :  it  is  only  through  much  prayer,  and  the  assistance  of 
divine  grace,  that  such  victories  are  ever  achieved.  And  further,  we 
should  not  wish  or  long  to  go  to  heaven,  while  it  is  God's  will  that  we 
remain  on  earth.  For  could  we  live  a  thousand  lives,  and  each  to  the 
common  age  of  man,  and  spend  the  whole  in  preaching  the  gospel  of 
Christ,  0,  it  would  be  delightful  work,  glorious  employment,  and  then, 
with  all  those  brought  to  Christ  by  his  ever-blessed  gospel,  we  should 
find  ample  time  to  praise  God  in  a  world  without  end.  »  *  •  *  * 
May  God  raise  you  up  to  health,  and  prolong  your  days  for  Zion's  sake. 

E.  Place." 
Mr.  Marks  seldom  allowed  himself  to  write  replies  to  any  let- 
ters, or  furnish  any  articles  for  the  Morning  Star,  though  his  name 


'-.». 


DAVID    MARKS. 


447 


i 


i 


was  still  continued  as  one  of  the  assistant  editors.  But  noticing  a 
communication  from  a  correspondent,  favoring  the  society  of  "  Odd 
Fellows,"  he  foi'warded  an  article  on  the  subject,  from  the  Oberlin 
Quarterly  Review.  To  this  article  he  wrote  the  following  preface, 
which  was  about  the  last  he  wrote  for  the  Star.  It  was  published 
October  15, 1845. 

*'  It  was  with  sorrow  that  I  perused  an  article  in  a  late  number  of  the 
Star,  from  an  esteemed  brother,  as  we  are  assured,  favorable  to  the  soci- 
ety of  Odd  Fellows.  When  I  was  strong  and  *  able  to  go  whithersoev- 
er I  would,'  my  Lord  demanded  me  to  expend  some  of  my  energies  in  an 
uncompromising  warfare  against  secret  societies.  The  society  of  Free 
Masons  at  that  time  was  most  prominent,  and  that  was  a  glad  day  to  my 
soul,  when  our  General  Conference,  years  ago,  took  a  decided  stand 
against  them.  I  mourn  that  so  soon  the  evil  is  gaining  ground  in  the 
rapid  spread  of  the  society  of  Odd  Fellows.  But  let  this  selfish  organi- 
zation be  confined  to  the  children  of  the  devil,  whence  it  originated,  and 
where  it  belongs  ;  and  let  not  the  followers  of  a  pure  and  holy  Savior, 
turn  aside  to  be  taken  in  its  snares,  deceiving  and  being  deceived. 
When  I  read  the  article  referred  to,  I  could  scarcely  restrain  myself 
from  taking  my  pen  with  a  view  of  exposing  to  the  readers  of  the  Star 
the  wicked  principles  of  this  society  ;  but  the  reflection  that  even  this 
effort  might  blast  my  prospect  of  returning  strength,  or  hinder  me  longer 
from  open  combat  with  the  foes  of  Zion,  deterred  me  from  the  at- 
tempt.''       •        *        # 

A  difficulty  had  arisen  in  a  church  near  Oberlin,  in  consequence 
of  the  faithful  and  pointed  testimony  of  its  pastor  against  intemper- 
ance. This  difficulty  had  been  referred  to  the  Lorain  quarterly 
meeting,  of  which  this  church  was  a  member.  Mr.  Marks,  fearing 
the  faithful  minister  might  not  be  sustained,  determined  to  attend 
the  quarterly  meeting,  to  which  he  had  been  appointed  a  delegate, 
and  which  was  to  be  held  in  September,  about  twenty  miles  from 
Oberlin.  On  being  remonstrated  with  for  his  decision,  and  being 
reminded  that  his  physician  would  not  consent,  he  replied,  "  I  shall 
not  ask  ray  physician.  We  are  commanded  to  lay  down  our  lives 
for  the  brethren.     There  are  those  that  will,  if  they  can,  sacrifice 

brother ,  because  he  has  been  faithful  to  truth  and  their  souls. 

He  is  a  man  of  God,  and  it  is  my  duty  to  go  and  stand  by  him." 
At  the  time  appointed,  he  went,  accompanied  by  four  Free-will 
Baptist  ministers  living  in  Oberlin,  all  of  whom  rendered  effective 
aid  in  favor  of  the  persecuted  minister,  being  permitted  to  take  part 
in  the  discussions.  For  a  day  and  a  half  the  subject  was  canvass- 
ed. Mr.  Marks  was  the  only  member  that  defended  the  uncom- 
promising course  of  the  faithful  preacher ;  but  he  was  in  his  ele- 
ment, and  never  did  he  appear  stronger  in  the  power  of  truth,  nor 
his  spirits  more  buoyant.  Undaunted,  fearless,  and  bold  in  his  po- 
sitions, he  seemed  to  speak  with  a  power  more  than  human.     In- 


•!  i-  .' 


ii  ^:.,A 


448 


MEMOIRS   OF 


deed,  his  language  was  clothed  with  a  grandeur,  that  was  both  aw- 
ful and  terrible,  and  which  carried  resistance  before  it.  "When  the 
final  vote  was  taken,  he  expected  that  he  should  be  in  "  the  glori- 
ous minority  of  one,"  but,  to  his  great  astonishment,  it  was  unani- 
mous on  the  side  he  had  advocated,  except  one,  who  refused  to 
vote.  Two  or  three  members,  as  they  were  parties  concerned,  did 
not  vote.  Mr.  Marks  lay  down  much  of  the  time  during  the  delib- 
erations of  the  Conference.  After  its  close,  he  returned  to  Ober- 
lin,  exceedingly  happy  and  joyful,  and  to  the  surprise  of  himself 
and  friends,  apparently  in  better  health  than  when  he  left  home. 
From  this  circumstance,  they  all  felt  encouraged  to  hope  for  his 
ultimate  recovery. 

The  following  Sabbath  he  attended  worship  at  Oberlin,  which, 
as  near  as  can  be  recollected,  was  the  last  Sabbath  he  ever  spent  in 
an  earthly  sanctuary.  He  walked  to  the  meeting  house,  perhaps  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  distant.  At  noon,  he  dined  with  Professor  Fin- 
ney, lay  down  on  a  sofa  most  of  the  time  during  the  intermission, 
meanwhile  conversing  with  much  animation.  At  the  close  of  the 
afternoon  service,  he  walked  home,  stopping  by  the  way  at  Presi- 
dent Mahan's  to  rest.  He  was  again  very  cheerful,  conversed 
about  the  prospect  of  his  returning  health,  and  remarked  that  he 
thought  he  should  yet  be  able  to  preach  the  glorious  and  blessed 
gospel.  The  President  said  he  thought  so  too.  About  the  middle 
of  October,  he  rode  out  one  morning  to  attend  to  what  he  thought 
was  indispensable  business.  The  air  was  chilly — ^he  took  cold,  and 
shortly  after  his  dropsical  symptoms  returned,  with  aggravated  vio- 
lence. His  physician,  who  was  about  to  leave  on  a  journey  to 
Massachusetts,  to  be  absent  several  weeks,  tried  to  encourage  him 
to  hope  for  another  removal  of  those  symptoms,  gave  him  some 
general  prescriptions,  and  charged  him  to  be  very  cautious  of  future 
exposures,  as  they  might  bring  on  a  relapse  that  would  terminate 
fatally.  He  faithfully  followed  the  directions  of  his  physician ;  but 
his  disorder  steadily  increased,  while  his  soul  seemed  absorbed  in 
heavenly  contemplations.  He  often  said  his  hopes  of  recovery 
were  again  very  faint,  and  talked  almost  incessantly  in  the  most 
touching  strains,  about  the  reality  and  consolation  of  the  Chris- 
tian's hope,  the  resurrection,  the  work  of  the  "  spirit-land,"  and  the 
glories  of  heaven.  Still  none  of  his  friends  were  particularly 
alarmed,  as  he  had  several  times  been  apparently  much  worse. 
He  had  recently  heard  of  the  death  of  his  oldest  brother  in  Illinois, 
and  they  attributed  his  conversing  so  much  about  his  own  depar- 
ture, to  the  effect  of  this  intelligence  upon  his  mind.  He  continued 
declining,  and  finally  began  to  speak  of  the  certainty  of  his  dissolu- 
tion in  a  more  positive  manner  than  he  ever  had  before.  His  com- 
panion, now  fearing  that  he  was  about  to  be  removed,  commeaced 


■% 


DATID   HARKS. 


449 


:;-r 


7 

In 


recording  a  very  few  of  hia  many  remarks  for  her  own  consolation, 
in  case  he  should  soon  pass  away.  These  menioramla  are  as  fol- 
lows ;  but  they  give  a  very  faint  and  imperfect  idea  of  the  glorious 
and  affecting  scenes  of  his  closing  life.  To  those  who  had  the  in- 
valuable, the  blessed  privilege  of  seeing  the  angelic  expression  of 
his  countenance,  and  hearing  his  heavenly  words,  his  very  room 
seemed  often  "  quite  the  verge  of  heaven." 

October  28,  Tuesday.  My  dear  husband  said  to  me  he  was  decided 
that  there  was  in  his  case  no  hope  of  recovery.  It  was  a  great  trial  to 
his  mind  to  lift  the  veil  and  tell  me  we  must  part,  but  he  felt  sure  he 
should  stay  but  little  time.  He  knew  my  trial  was  much  greater  than 
Jiis,  said  he  tenderly  sympathized  with  me.  He  well  remembered  his 
own  feelings  when,  watching  by  my  sick  bed,  he  expected  to  be  left, 
and  felt  that  he  knew  not  how  to  endure  it.  *'  Bui  I  bless  God,"  said 
he,  ''  that  in  mercy  he  has  so  constituted  us  that  the  poignancy  of  grief 
will  wear  away.  '  Though  sorrow  endure  for  a  night,  joy  will  come  in 
the  morning.'  We  have  lived  together  as  Christians.  More  than  six- 
teen years  God  has  given  us  to  each  other.  They  have  been  hapj) 
years,  blessed  with  the  most  perfect  mutual  confidence  and  affection, 
a  little  time  we  shall  be  re-united,  and  when  your  work  is  done,  I  shall 
joyfully  welcome  your  spirit  to  that  better  land."  What  he  did,  he  ad- 
ded, must  be  done  quickly.  He  wanted  to  write  letters  to  his  friends, 
also  a  farewell  address  to  his  beloved  denomination  and  to  the  world, 
while  his  strength  remained.  He  wished  to  be  carried  to  the  house  of 
worship,  to  give  one  more  public  testimony  for  God,  to  speak  once  more 
to  the  students  preparing  for  the  ministry.  He  was  very  happy,  felt  his 
work  was  done.  He  had  loved  it  exceedingly,  though  fQ»  years  he  had 
labored  in  great  weakness  of  body.  Now  he  was  going  where  he  could 
work  without  sleep,  and  labor  without  fatigue.  [At  this  date  he  hac  no 
alarming  symptoms  except  being  weaker.] 

October  30.  He  wrote  thus  to  his  youngest  brother.  "  My  dear 
brother  Jeremiah  : — Your  letter  of  the  4th  inst.,  bringing  the  painful 
tidings  of  our  brother's  death,  was  duly  received.  So  our  dear  brother 
Friend  has  gone — gone  to  his  long  home — gone  to  the  spirit  world — to 
receive,  while  endless  ages  roll  on,  according  to  the  deeds  done  in  the 
body !  And  soon  we  must  follow  him,  and  know  all  the  realities  that 
there  are  on  the  other  side  of  the  river  of  death.  I  am  fast  hastening. 
I  write  to  you  now  in  bed,  to  which  I  am  confined  most  of  the  time,  and 
have  no  expectation  of  recovering  my  health.  I  am  exceedingly  weak, 
and  probably  this  is  the  last  letter  I  shall  ever  be  able  to  write  you.  I 
may  drag  along  some  months  yet,  but  I  should  not  be  surprised,  should 
I  drop  away  in  a  week.  The  tide  of  life  has  run  so  low  that  I  am  now 
arranging  all  my  affairs  to  leave  without  a  moment's  warning.     But 

flory  to  God,  dear  brother  Jeremiah,  I  am  prepared — and  I  am  happy, 
esus  Christ  has  taken  away  the  sting  of  death,  so  that  I  rejoice  and  ara 
exceedingly  happy  in  view  of  my  certain  dissolution.  What  supports 
and  comforts  me,  dear  brother,  is  the  hope  of  eternal  life — a  sure  hope 
like  an  anchor  to  the  soul,  sure  and  steadfast,  and  entering  even  into 
heaven.  O,  my  brother,  don't  be  offended  with  me,  when  I  say,  would 
to  God  that  my  brother  Jeremiah  had  this  hope  also— this  good  hope — 
38* 


^•;it 


I    ' 


J:    :  » 


•■"^ 


450 


MEMOIRS   OP 


thia  precious  hope — which  extends  heyond  this  Hfc — which  will  buoy  up 
the  spirit  in  the  dark  valley  and  shadow  of  death.  0  that  you  were  a 
Christian  !  a  good  Christian — a  genuine  Christian — that  you  had  all  the 
consolations  of  the  blessed,  the  glorious  hope  of  eternal  life  !  Nothing 
else  can  fill  and  satisfy  man's  capacious  soul — his  restless  nature.  O 
brother,  you  may  become  a  Christian — God  is  willing — Heaven  will 
forgive — mercy  lingers  around  you,  and  knocks  at  your  heart  for  admit- 
tance. Until  you  become  a  Christian,  you  can  never  fill  the  design  of 
your  being.  Religion,  genuine  religion,  is  as  much  the  natural  food  of 
the  human  soul,  as  earthly  food  is  the  natural  food  for  the  body.  I  am 
glad,  my  dear  brother,  that  you  did  not  go  to  sea.  *  *  •  •  JVfay 
God  help  you  to  be  contented,  and  give  you  a  good  hope  of  immortality. 
Farewell,  dear  brother.  If  you  can,  do  write  me  one  more  letter  before 
I  die.  Your  affectionate  brother, 

David  Marks." 

October  29  or  30.  He  rode  out  and  met  Professor  Finney,  who  said  he 
thought  he  should  leave  Oberlin  the  next  morning  to  spend  the  winter. 
Mr.  Marks  expressed  his  regret,  and  added  that  he  wished  him  to  preach 
his  funeral  sermon.  President  Mahan  was  already  gone.  Professor 
Finney  smiled  and  said,  '*  Brother  Marks,  you  can't  die  now.  Are 
you  subject  to  depression  of  spirits?"  He  replied,  *' No,  I  was  never 
happier."* 

October  31,  Friday.  He  said  he  was  only  confirmed  in  his  views  that 
he  had  but  few  days  to  stay  with  me.  I  asked  him  why  he  felt  so.  He 
then  rehearsed  the  history  of  his  sickness  from  the  time  of  his  labors  to 
establish  the  jBook  Concern,  where  his  toils  and  exposures  subjected 
him  to  four  successive  fits  of  sickness,  since  which  he  had  never  seen  a 
well  hour.  From  year  to  year  he  had  kept  running  down  lower  and 
lower.  He  had  tried  to  rest,  he  had  tried  to  be  quiet,  but  he  had  such 
an  insatiable  thirst  to  do  something  for  God  that  he  could  not.  If  his 
body  was  still,  his  mind  was  like  a  steam  engine,  his  thoughts  flew  with 
the  speed  of  lightning,  and  it  was  a  vain  attempt  to  stay  them.  He 
knew  his  constitution  could  not  long  endure.  God  had  trained  him  for 
the  work  of  the  spirit-land.  He  had  greater  work  for  him,  nobler  busi- 
ness in  the  upper  world. 

November  1.  Little  Julia  and  myself  rode  with  him  to  Pittsfield.  As 
we  passed  the  grave-yard,  he  pointed  to  it  and  said,  '*  My  dear  Julia, 
soon  I  shall  lie  there.  This  is  the  last  time  you  will  ever  ride  with 
your  papa,  whom  you  love  so  much.  I  am  going  to  live  with  angels  in 
heaven."  On  our  return  home,  we  met  Professor  Finney,  who  asked 
him  how  he  did  ?  With  a  peculiar  emphasis  and  a  heavenly  smile,  he 
said, — 

"  There's  not  a  cloud  that  doth  arise 
To  hide  my  Savior  IVoin  my  eyes." 

Novembers,  Sabbath.  He  rode  out  on  horseback,  returned  greatly 
fatigued,  said  he  thought  he  should  never  go  out  of  Oberlin — that  he 
should  go  out  of  the  door  but  few  times  more — spoke  again  of  writing  a 
farewell  address  to  the  Free-will  Baptist  denomination.     As  he  was  so 


*  Professor  Finney  was  detained  by  sickness  in  his  family. 


DAVID    MARKS. 


451 


feeble,  1  suggested  tliat  instead  of  writing  it  himself  he  should  employ 
a  stenographer.     He  thanked  me  for  the  suggestion. 

November  3.  Professor  Finney  called  to  see  him.  He  again  asked 
him  to  preach  his  funeral  sermon.  Professor  Finney,  not  supposing 
him  so  ill,  smiled  and  said  :  *'  I  will,  if  you  will  agree  to  preach  mine 
if  I  die  first."  Soon  he  examined  his  pulse,  appeared  astonished  and 
said,  '•  I  did  not  think  you  were  so  low."  He  then  prayed  with  him. 
Mr.  Marks  told  him  how  much  he  had  loved  to  preach — said  he  wished 
to  be  carried  to  the  church,  and  give  one  more  testimony  for  God. 
Professor  Finney  replied  :  "  I  would  love  to  have  you,  but  I  fear  you 
are  too  weak.  Brother  Marks,"  he  continued,  '*  you  have  done  the 
work  of  eighty  years  in  forty.  I  don't  know  but  it  is  good  economy  to 
do  our  work  quick,  and  save  the  time  for  heaven.  I  think  it  is.  Such 
is  the  selfishness  and  stupidity  of  the  world,  that  unless  a  man  makes  u 
tremendous  effort,  he  can  accomplish  but  little." 

November  4.  A  physician,  living  several  miles  from  Oberlin,  who 
had  been  sent  for,  called  and  stayed  the  night  with  him.  He  seemed 
very  confident  that  lie  could  help  him.  Mr.  Marks  told  him  he  would 
take  his  medicine,  but  added  :  "  It  will  do  no  good."  He  left  his  di- 
rections, and  promised  to  see  him  again  in  a  week. 

November  6.  He  dictated  several  hours  to  a  stenographer  his  dying 
message  to  his  beloved  brethren.  He  seemed  much  animated  and  to  en- 
joy it  exceedingly.  When  he  was  through,  expecting  he  would  be 
much  exhausted,  I  asked  him  how  he  felt.  "  Oh  I  well,  very  well ;  I 
have  had  a  feast  of  fat  things."  In  the  afternoon,  Elders  S.  C.  Parker 
and  A.  Curtis  with  some  others  came  to  see  him,  and  asked  him  how  he 
was.  He  replied,  "  Happy,  very  happy.  I  have  got  almost  well."  The 
nextday,as  they  were  aboutto  leave,  he  said  to  one  of  the  young  brethren 
with  them,  "  Be  strong.  Let  sanctification  be  your  motto.  Set  God  before 
you  in  all  your  meat,  and  drink,  and  dress,  and  when  you  enter  the  dark 
valley  of  death,  God  will  send  kind  angels  to  minister  to  you.  I  look 
back  upon  my  life,  and  have  a  sweet  consciousness  that  I  have  not  lived 
to  please  myself,  but  have,  through  grace,  been  able  to  bear  a  pointed 
testimony  for  God,  and  that,  regardless  of  the  frowns  or  praises  even  of 
my  friends,  I  have  done  what  I  believed  my  Lord  called  me  to  do,  and 
now  while  I  approach  the  dark  valley,  God  seuds  angels  to  minister  un- 
to me.  They  hover  around  me,  and  there  is  not  a  cloud  between  me 
and  my  Savior."  Taking  Elder  Parker  by  the  hand,  he  said,  "  Fare- 
well. We  have  spent  happy  hours  together;  we  part  now,  but  shall 
soon  meet  again.  I  am  going  to  my  heavenly  home.  When  I  am  gone, 
remember  my  poor  wife,  and  the  poor  slave." 

November  10.  Set  up  three  or  four  hours,  begged  for  something  to 
do  that  would  be  useful  to  his  family.  At  his  request,  some  pumpkins 
were  carried  into  his  room,  and  he  busied  himself  while  he  sat  up  cutting 
them.  Towards  night  Professor  Finney  called,  and  said,  "  Brother  Marks, 
how  do  you  do?"  *'  I  am  happy,  very  happy,  happy  as  I  can  be." 
Prof.  Finney  said,  "  You  are  doing  well.  I  did  not  expect  you  had 
made  so  much  progress.  You  have  got  on  well  towards  heaven."  Mr. 
Marks  asked  him  if  he  had  selected  a  text  for  his  funeral.  He  answer- 
ed that  he  had  not.  He  then  said,  "  A  funeral  sermon  is  for  the  living 
and  not  for  the  dead.     I  have  been  thinking  of  several  passages,  but  my 


.  <'. 


.  U.'* 


•  'f  1, 


,    r 

■>  ••■■1 


1^ 


452 


MEMOIRS   OF 


nniu\  docs  not  settle  on  any.  I  liavn  tliouf^lit  of  thi«  :  '  Exorciso  thyself 
ralluT  \\u\u  j^odlinoHH.'  (),  if  I  lin<l  hoaitli,  how  [  would  delight  to  run 
through  tho  churches,  and  again  liold  up  the  doctrine  of  holin(<Ha  ut 
heart — of  entire  consecration  to  CJod."  rroft'ssor  Finney  replied  :  "  It 
Is  well  that  it  is  in  thino  heart  to  huild  a  house  unto  tho  lionf."  In  tiie 
evening,  a«  I  was  going  to  lie  down,  he  asked  nie  if  I  would  give  him 
up.  I  told  liiin  I  had  not,  for  I  wan  not  convinced  that  it  was  the  will 
of  the  Lonl  to  take  him  yet.  lie  said,  "  Yon  will  have  to  give  n»e  uu 
very  soon."  Atono  o'clo<'k,  1  got  up.  Jle  said,  •'  lam  wealter — thaiiK 
God  for  it.  ()  I  am  happy,  very  happy  ;  I  am  going  to  my  Father,  to 
the  soci(Uy  of  disembodied  spirits,  to  the  sweet  labors  of  eternity.  The 
tomb  is  nt)t  gloomy.  The  bavior  hiis  passed  through  it.  My  blouted 
limbs  look  beautiful  to  me,  n  sign  that  1  am  near  my  home."  I  asked 
him  if  ho  were  in  haste  to  leave  me.  "  0  no,"  said  he,  ♦•  I  have  never 
«aid  with  Paul  1  prefer  to  depart,  could  I  have  health  to  preach  the 
glorious  gospel ;  but  if  unable  to  labor  for  God,  I  would  nrefcr  to  depart. 
This  is  a  dark,  wicked  world,  full  of  selfishness  and  unbelief,  and  tnerc 
is  a  great  deal  to  be  done.  1  should  lovo  to  preach  and  labor  here,  but 
my  Father  sees  it  not  best.  There  is  nothing  to  bo  accomplished  by 
my  staying  here.  I  have  nothing  to  do.  I  am  entirely  reeonciled  and 
ready.  As  I  enter  the  dark  valley,  the  Savior  is  with  me — angels  min- 
ister unto  me,  and  they  seem  to  fun  mo  with  their  wings.  You  have 
been  a  good  wife,  and  when  you  come  to  die,  the  same  grace  will  be 
given  you.  I  have  been  sick  a  great  while,  and  I  rejoice  to  have  the 
question  settled.  I  have  been  anxious  about  the  result,  and  my  friends 
have  been  anxious.  Either  alternative  would  be  joyful.  I  am  a  huppy 
man  ;  were  I  to  live,  it  would  be  for  tho  delightful  work  of  saving  souls, 
but  to  die  would  be  gain." 

November  11.  lie  wrote  and  talked  nil  day — expressed  great  anxiety 
to  be  carried  to  the  chapel  to  give  one  more  public  testimony.  I  tried 
to  dissuade  him,  pleading  that  perhaps  he  might  recover,  and  that  such 
a  step  might  turn  the  scale.  lie  did  not  think  so,  but  would  submit  the 
matter  to  me.  If  I  was  unwilling  he  would  not  go.  After  a  fit  of 
coughing  he  looked  at  me  and  said,  "  O  how  much  I  would  prefer  to 
spend  my  strength  in  publicly  testifying  for  God,  than  in  cougning  and 
struggling  for  breath.  Who  knows  but  that  God  by  his  Spirit,  through 
something  I  might  say,  would  touch  the  heart  of  some  one  of  the  stu- 
dents here,  who  would  do  much  more  for  him  than  I  could,  should  I  live 
to  be  old."  I  told  him  I  could  not  bear  such  responsibility,  I  would  op- 
pose his  desire  no  longer — I  was  willing  he  should  go.  He  laughed  and 
wept  for  joy,  and  thanking  me,  said  he  knew  it  was  affectionate  anxiety 
that  had  so  long  withholden  my  consent.  He  sent  for  Professors  Finney 
and  Dascomb  to  consult  them.  Prof.  Finney  said  he  would  love  to 
have  him  go,  but  he  thought  he  would  not  live  through  it.  Dr.  Das- 
comb thought  the  same.  He  thought  differently,  but  he  said,  if  he  did 
not,  he  would  as  lief  die  in  the  chapel  as  at  home.  It  would  be  a  glori- 
ous death  to  die  in  the  field.  Prof.  Finney  said,  if  he  desired  it,  he 
should  be  gratified,  and  every  arrangement  should  be  made.  He  re- 
quested Dr.  Dascomb  to  make  a  post-mortem  examination  of  his  body. 
He  said  he  used  to  have  a  dread  of  death,  which  he  supposed  was  con- 
stitutional, and  that  he  should  never  overcome  it,  and  until  lately  it  had 


I 


DAVID  HARKS. 


4.53 


always  raiiNcd  a  HlimldoriDg  to  tliiuk  of  iiH  apprdarli,  hut  now  u  MM-mrd 
a  fritMiil,  a  kind  nuav] — itn  Hting  waH  taken  away,  lie  ciintunKtl,  "  If 
you  take  ii  Ixmi,  anu  extract  itM  Htiti^^',  it  cannot  iiariii  you,  even  if  it  (tunn  I 
un  your  boHum."  tSeuing  uit  weep  around  him,  hu  would  sing  uiili  a 
siiiilr, 

"  Worp  not,  my  frit^nila  ;   iii)  rrlvinJn,  woffp  not  Tor  inc, 

All  i«  wull." 

Said  Professor  Finney,  *'  How  btran^e  it  mu>*t  seem  to  worhllings  to 
liear  u  nuin  giving  direclioiiM  with  »ucli  checrfiMnesM,  ahoiit  hinown  post- 
inortum  oxamination."  Mins  ('urtis  caHed.  Ah  he  h)okcd  up  and  naw 
tiie  sun  sotting  in  the  west,  he  Haid  to  her,  "  ()  thix  beautiful  world.  It 
looks  beautiful,  bneauso  I  hco  (Jod  in  it.  How  beautiful  every  thing 
looks  about  the  house.  The  nerfeet  adaptation  of  every  thing  in  nature 
to  all  its  parts  reveals  God.  I  could  80oner  believe,  that  if  the  letters  of 
a  newspaper  were  cut  in  pieces  and  scattered  to  the  four  winds,  they 
would  fall  in  the  city  of  New  York  and  f«»rin  a  perfect  volume,  than  that 
this  world  came  by  chance,  or  that  the  Bible  is  not  the  book  of  C!od." 
He  spoke  of  going  to  his  sweet  home.  She  said  to  him,  "  You  love 
your  wife  so  much,  how  can  you  bear  to  leave  herl"  He  replied,  "  I 
know  with  whom  I  leave  her.  Our  separation  will  be  short :  her  Heav- 
enly Father  will  not  suffer  her  to  shed  u  single  tear,  or  endure  a  single 
pang,  which  he  will  not  overrule  for  her  good.  Not  u  hair  of  her  head 
can  fall  to  the  ground  without  His  notice." 

November  12.  He  wrote  :  "  Being  just  ready  to  depart  out  of  this 
world  unto  the  Father,  my  dear  wife  asks  me  to  write  in  her  album,  and 
this  as  one  of  the  last  mementoes  that  I  can  leave  her.  I  comply  with 
the  greatest  pleasure,  though  probably  this  is  the  last  writing  that  I 
shall  ever  make — my  heart  being  nearly  drowned,  and  the  pulsations  of 
life  so  weak  as  often  to  stop.  I  am  now  waiting  hourly  in  expectation 
of  my  change,  being  fully  prepared,  and  filled  with  indescribable  joy  at 
the  thought  of  entering  that  world  where  I  can  labor  without  sleep,  and 
work  forever  without  fatigue.  Sixteen  years  and  forty-five  days  God 
has  lent  us  to  each  other  in  the  Lord.  Sweet  have  been  these  days  ;  and  the 
union  without  a  bitter  pang,  has  been  an  apprenticeship  to  prepare  us 
for  the  union  of  spirits  in  the  next  world.  And  though  we  are  now 
called  to  part,  it  is  but  for  a  few  days,  and  then  to  meet  in  that  land 
where  '  Adieus'  and  *  Farewells'  are  sounds  unknown." 

He  selected  the  hymns  to  be  sung  at  his  funeral,  and  wrote  out  the 
first  lines,  in  the  following  order  : 

1st  Hymn.     "  I  would  not  live  alway,  I  ask  not  to  stay,  &c.       ''" 

2d      do.         "  Ah  !  lovely  appearance  of  death,"  &c. 

3d      do.         *'  What  is  this  that  steals  upon  my  frame,  &c. 

To  be  sung  at  my  grave. 

4th     do.         *'  Unveil  thy  bosom,  faithful  tomb,"  &C4, 

He  requested,  if  it  should  be  convenient,  that  the  bearers  should  be  min- 
isters. I  asked  him  why  he  wished  this.  "  O,"  said  he,  "  because  I 
love  them  so."  After  a  few  minutes  silence  he  exclaimed,  "  What  a 
reality  the  Christian's  hope  is  !  Nothing  I  ever  experienced  was  more  a 
reality.    Jesus  said,  '  Feel  of  me,  a  spirit  hath  not  flesh  and  boiics,  a^ 


^t% 


4 


«  ft 


"* , 


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ii 


454 


MEMOIRS   OF 


ye  see  me  have.'  "     Mra.  Willard  and  some  other  friends  called  :    as 
ihcy  entered,  he  sung  with  much  emotion, 

"  There  is  not  a  rioud  that  doth  arise 
To  liide  my  Savior  from  my  eyes, 
I  soon  hhtiU  nuiuiit  the  upi)er  skies, — 
All  19  well." 

Mrs.  Willard  said  his  countenance  seemed  radiant  vith  glory,  and  his 
sick  room,  which  she  expected  would  seem  sad,  was  in  reality  bright 
and  joyful. 

He  passed  a  very  sick  and  distressed  night,  and  it  was  not  thought  he 
would  survive  till  morning.  He  said  he  had  hoped  to  speak  for  God 
once  more,  but  did  not  think  he  should  live  to  see  the  hour  of  his  ap- 
pointment. "  O  Father,  not  as  I  will,  but  as  thou  wilt.  Thou  know- 
est  I  have  not  been  idle  in  thy  vineyard."  D.uring  the  night,  several 
times  when  he  was  thought  to  be  dying,  he  sung, — 

"  Vital  spark  of  heavenly  flame, 
Quit,  O  quit,  this  niortul  frame  ! 
Trembling,  hoping,  lingering,  flying, 
O  the  pain,  the  bliss  of  dying  ! 
Ceaoe  fund  nature,  cease  thy  strife, 
And  let  me  languish  into  life." 

His  new  physician  spent  the  night  with  him.  When  he  came,  he 
seemed  astonished  at  the  change  he  saw,  and  wept  like  a  child  as  he 
told  him  he  must  die.     Mr.  Marks  heard  him  with  a  joyful  smile. 

November  13.  He  sent  for  Mr.  Kinney  to  take  a  measure  for  his 
coffin,  and  never  was  he  measured  for  a  suit  of  clothes  with  more  cheer- 
ful composure.  He  told  him  to  make  it  plain,  with  no  unnecessary 
expense.  He  wished  to  have  his  shroud  made  without  delay.  After 
some  minutes  silence  he  laughed  and  wept.  I  asked,  why  these  emo- 
tions. He  said,  "  Heaven  !  bright  visions  !  The  reality  of  the  Chris- 
tian's hope  !     Never  was  any  thing  of  my  life  more  real." 

He  prayed  at  morning  family  worship  thus  :  "  O  holy  Father,  I  thank 
thee  that  thou  didst  forgive  my  sins  and  count  me  faithful  in  putting  me 
into  the  ministry,  that  these  unworthy  hands  have  handled  the  words  of 
eternal  life.  1  thank  thee  for  the  mercies  of  my  sickness,  that  I  have 
suffered  so  little  pain,  that  as  I  am  entering  the  dark  valley,  thou  art 
with  me,  that  thou  hast  sent  kind  angels  to  minister  unto  me.  0  Jesus, 
I  thank  thee  for  thy  presence.  What  should  I  do,  while  heart  and  flesh 
fail,  without  thee  !  Let  me  see  the  light  of  thy  blessed  countenance  to 
the  end.  Bless  my  dear  wife  and  sister.  I  thank  thee  that  thou  hast 
prepared  them  to  part  with  me.  And  now,  Father,  if  it  please  thee  to 
keep  the  vital  spark  burning  till  the  hour  of  my  appointment,  that  I 
may  give  one  more  testimony  for  thee  I  would  rejoice ;  but.  Father,  thy 
will  be  done." 

Having  talked  incessantly  for  a  time,  I  tried  to  persuade  him  to  rest. 
He  replied,  "  Talking  excites  me  and  makes  me  easy.  My  soul  is  full, 
like  a  cart  pressed  with  sheaves,  and  I  must  give  it  vent.  O  if  I  had  a 
voice  that  could  sound  around  the  globe  and  make  the  whole  earth  hear, 
every  king,  potentate,  philosopher,  and  sceptic,  how  I  would  love  to 
preach  an  hour !  O  the  Christian's  hope!  The  philosopher,  after  he 
has  fortified  his  giant  intellect  all  his  life,  the  utmost  he  can  do  is  to  die 


DAVID  MARKS. 


455 


w'uh  composure  ;  while  the  Christian,  though  weak  and  ignorant,  not 
only  has  composure,  but  ecstatic  joy." 

E.  Hawley  called,  asked  him  how  he  was.  "  0  happy,  happy,  happy. 
Home,  home,  home,  sweet  home  ;  there  1  can  work  without  fatigue,  and 
labor  without  sleep." 

Anna  Mahan  called  ;  he  said  to  her,  "  Mr  bloated  limbs,  distended 
stomach,  suffocation,  palpitating  heart,  are  beautiful  passports  to  my 
long  home,  kind  angels  to  release  me  from  my  clay."  A  little  time  af- 
ter, he  said,  with  great  emotion,  "  How  differently  I  die  from  my  Sa- 
vior !  See  him  on  the  cross  !  Nails  through  his  hands  and  through  his 
feet !  1  am  surrounded  with  kind  friends,  ready  to  anticipate  every 
want."  He  gave  his  cane  to  Professor  Finney,  and  his  watch  to  his 
sister. 

At  three  o'clock  to  his  great  joy  he  was  carried  to  the  chapel,  reclin- 
ing on  pillov^  s  in  a  large  easy  chair,  and  set  down  on  the  stand.  Profes- 
sor Finney  announced  to  the  assembly  that  it  was  doubtful  whether  he 
would  survive  the  effort  to  speak  to  them — that  Dr.  Dascomb  was  una- 
ble to  find  any  pulse  in  one  wrist,  and  only  a  little  trembling  in  the  other. 
He  hoped  if  he  should  die  in  the  attempt  the  people  would  remain  in 
their  seats,  as  his  friends  near  him  would  take  care  of  him.  A  hymn 
was  sung,  he  prayed,  and  then  addressed  the  audience  about  half  an  hour. 
After  he  was  carried  home,  he  continued  in  great  distress  till  midnight, 
and  was  several  times  thought  to  be  dying.  He  frequently  sung,  "  Vi- 
tal spark,"  &c.  At  one  time,  he  said,  '*  I  think  I  am  going — straiten 
my  limbs — fold  my  arras  on  my  bosom.  0,  if  this  be  dying,  it  is  happy 
dying." 

.  November  14.  He  said  he  was  disappointed  that  be  had  not  got 
home,  but  not  unhappy,  he  trusted  not  unreconciled.  He  said,  "  I  have 
been  very  happy,  happy.  Hallelujah  to  the  Lamb  !  O  how  differently  1 
die  from  those  that  are  not  Christians.  I  go  to  a  happy  home,  where 
the  sun  will  never  go  down,  sorrow  and  sin  will  never  come  ;  but 
they  to  eternal  darkness,  where  their  selfishness  in  which  they 
have  trained  themselves  will  torment  them  forever.  O,  poor  sin- 
ners!  poor  sinners ! "  He  prayed  "O  Jesus,  when  wilt  thou  come? 
Give  me  patience  to  wait."  He  said  to  me,  with  a  look  of  in- 
expressible tenderness,  "  If  I  am  permitted  to  come  on  errands 
to  this  world,  I  will  visit  you  frequently  and  give  you  good  suggestions." 
He  wished  to  see  his  class  of  little  children,  (who  had  met  him  in  his 
sick  room  for  several  months  for  prayer  and  religious  instruction,  some 
of  whom  he  thought  had  been  converted.)  They  came  into  his  room 
two  or  three  at  a  time.  Taking  them  separately  by  the  hand,  he  would 
say,  "  My  little  dear,  I  am  going  to  heaven  where  the  Savior  and  angels 
are.  Will  you  be  a  good  child  and  try  to  meet  me  there  ?  I  shall  not 
be  able  to  teach  you  and  pray  with  you  any  more.  Remember  what  I 
have  said  to  you."  Then  kissing  them,  and  frequently  they  kissing  him, 
they  retired,  sobbing  as  though  their  hearts  would  break. 

He  said,  **  If  the  worthless  tree  or  shrub  which  has  been  cut  down, 
or  whose  '  stock  has  died  in  the  ground,'  will  bud  and  grow,  shall  not 
MAN,  whose  noble  powers  pant  for  immortality,  live  again?  Ho  will,  I 
know  he  will.     O,  the  sweet,  the  glorious  doctrine  of  the  resurrection  ! 


■14  -    < 


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m 


456 


MEMOIRS   OP 


t 


It  not  only  dispels  the  darkness  of  the  tomb^the  gloom  of  the  grave — 
but  it  even  gilds  its  pathway  with  a  heavenly  radiance." 

Mr.  Bartlett  called  at  evening,  and  though  in  great  distress  he  looked 
up  and  smiled.  "  You  are  happy,"  said  Mr.  B.  *'  Why  should  I  not 
be?  The  greatest  monarch  that  ever  ascended  a  throne  was  never  so 
sure  of  the  reality  of  enjoying  wealth,  honor,  and  glory  as  I  am.  God 
makes  it  a  reality  to  me.  It  is  sure.  I  know  it."  He  had  a  sinking 
turn  during  the  night — watchers  thought  he  was  going,  and  called  me 
to  see  him  die.  He  soon  revived  and  said,  '*  Lord  Jesus,  O,  how  long? 
When  wilt  thou  let  the  pilgrim  go  home?" 

November  15.     He  looked  bright  and  happy.     Exhibited  the  same 

care  and  exactness  in  some  little  things  for  which  he  was  remarkable 

when  in  health.     I  said  to  him,  he  appeared  so  natural  it  did  not  seem 

possible  that  he  was  going  to  die.     *'  Why  should  I  change?"  said  he. 

"  I  expect  to  die  David  Marks.   I  have  lived  for  God  and  heaven — for  the 

judgment  and  eternity.     I  have  lived  with  death  in  view,  and  now  why 

should  I  change?"     He  inquired  if  his  coffin  and  shroud  were  done, 

then  sung — 

"  Jeruanlem,  my  happy  home, 
O,  how  I  long  for  thee,"  Ac. 

After  a  little  silence,  as  if  in  deep  meditation,  he  asked  me,  "  What 
do  you  think  my  mother  and  brother  Jeremiah  will  say  to  me  when  I 
meet  them  in  the  spirit  world  ?  There  are  many  there  that  will  be  glad 
to  see  me." 

Sunday,  November  16.  Very  feeble,  unable  to  lie  down  without 
great  distress,  said  it  was  a  good  symptom,  a  symptom  that  he  could  en- 
dure but  a  little  while,  that  he  was  nearly  through.  He  talked  little, 
was  very  patient  and  happy,  frequently  sung — 


Also — 


"  I  am  thinking  all  the  while, 
When  will  my  summons  come," 


"  .Terusalem,  my  happy  home, 
O,  how  I  long  lor  thee,"  d:c. 


He  said,  "I  am  not  going  to  die,  I  am  only  going  to  sleep.  It  is 
not  death  but  life."     Passed  a  restless  night. 

November  17.  He  wished  he  had  a  stenographer,  to  whom  he  could 
dictate  a  few  dying  messages  to  some  of  his  friends,  especially  to  some 
impenitent  relatives.  I  asked  him  to  whom  he  wished  to  write.  He 
mentioned  several,  saying,  "  I  wish  you  to  say  to  them  individually, 
from  me,  that  it  will  be  a  dark  and  dreadful  hour,  if  they  come  to  the 
valley  of  death  without  Christ ;  and  that  I  beseech  them  to  turn  to  God, 
and  never  rest  till  they  have  the  evidence  that  their  sins  are  forgiven." 
To  a  Christian  relative  whom  he  named,  he  wished  me  to  say,  "  I  beseech 
her  always  to  bear  the  cross,  and  then  I  have  the  fullest  confidence,  I  shall 
meet  her  in  heaven.  Tell  her  to  say  to  her  mother,  (a  lady  nearly 
ninety  years  of  age,)  that  I  have  never  in  all  my  life  experienced  any  re- 
ality that  was  more  po.sitive  and  certain  than  the  Christian's  hope,  and  I 
beseech  her  not  to  rest  until  she  has  obtained  that  hope." 

He  had  frequently  conversed  with  little  Julia  about  leaving  her,  and 


DAVID   MARKS. 


457 


often  prayed  with  her.     At  one  time,  he  said  to  her:  **  I  shall  soon  be 
gone,  and  your  dear  mamma  will  be  very  lonely  and  feel  very  bad,  and 


she  will  sometimes  go  with  you  and  visit  my  grave. 
all 


I  want  you  to  be 
very  good  and  Kind  to  her  and  comfort  her  all  you  can."  He  gave  her 
a  Bible  and  two  hymn  books,  and  wrote  in  them,  after  her  name,  *'  Pre- 
sented by  her  dying  father."  Prof.  Finney  called.  He  took  his  hand 
and  with  tears  said,  "  Brother  Finney,  O  I  am  glad  that  never  for  the 
sake  of  interest  have  I  avoided  preaching  the  truth  and  standing  up  in 
defence  of  great  principles.  What  comfort  it  gives  me."  He  often  ex- 
pressed great  thankfulness  for  having  been  permitted  to  be  carried 
to  the  chapel  and  the  opportunity  he  there  enjoyed  of  speaking  for 
God. 

November  20.  His  voice  began  to  fail.  He  tried  to  sing,  but  finding 
he  could  not,  he  smiled  very  sweetly  and  said  :  "  Soon  I  shall  have  new 
lungs."  The  day  following  was  worse,  suffered  much  from  suffocation, 
said  he  should  soon  choke  to  death,  or  rather  choke  into  life.  Was  much 
distressed  till  midnight. 

November  22.  He  was  more  comfortable.  He  longed  to  go  where 
he  could  do  something  for  God.  Prof.  Finney  said  to  him — "  Never  in 
your  life  were  you  doing  move  good  than  you  now  are.  You  are  preach- 
ing all  tlie  time.  The  people  her<>  are  running  in  tj  hear  what  you  say, 
others  are  inquiring  of  them,  and  yon  ought  not  to  feel  that  you  are  do- 
ing nothing.  Are  you  not  willing  to  remain  where  you  are  a  hundred 
years,  if  it  should  be  the  will  of  God?"  Afteramoment's  pause,  he  said,  "1 
never  thought  of  such  a  thing  before,  but  certainly  I  would."  After- 
wards he  said,  "  That  was  a  hard  question — I  answered  yes,  because 
for  many  years  I  have  been  resolved  to  have  no  will  but  the  will  of 
God." 

Mr.  Belden  from  Amherst  called  to  see  him.  He  wept,  and  as  he 
took  him  by  the  hand,  said,  "  O  how  I  love  you.  O  that  you  had  this 
anchor  to  the  soul  that  I  have.  You  have  been  kind  to  me.  Your 
house  has  been  a  pleasant  home.  I  cannot  bear  the  thought  that  we 
shall  not  meet  again.  My  coffin  and  shroud  are  ready  and  waiting  for 
me,  and  I  am  going  to  my  happy  home.  O,  will  you  try  to  meet  me  in 
heaven  ?"     Mr.  B.  wept  profusely — said  he  would. 

Noveiriber23.  He  was  very  weak  and  hoarse.  Taking  Prof.  Fin- 
ney's hand,  he  said,  "Ohow  I  love  you.  How  happy  we  shall  be 
when  we  meet  in  the  spirit- land,  where  the  watchmen  shall  sec  eye  to 
eye,  v  nere  there  shall  be  no  more  pain."  **  And,"  said  Prof.  Finney, 
"  viicie  we  shall  run  to  see  each  other  die  no  more."  *'  O,"  said  he, 
••  this  has  been  a  sweet  life  to  me,  I  think  it  will  be  a  sweet  death,  and 
It  will  be  a  sweet  heaven."  He  was  anxious  for  a  speedy  release,  said 
tlu..  .lever  did  any  one  more  intensely  long  to  lie  down  and  sleep  than 
he  longed  to  go  to  his  long,  sweet  home. 

November  21.  Was  very  languid  and  greatly  exhausted — prayed 
that  he  might  depart— said  that  angels  were  waiting  at  the  portals  of 
heaven  to  receive  his  spirit.  Observing  him  looking  very  earnestly  round 
the  room,  I  asked  him  what  he  was  looking  at.  "I  was  trying  to  see 
whether  I  could  wee  angels."  Said  I,  "  You  have  said  much  about  an- 
gels visiting  you.  What  do  you  mean  by  it  1  Have  you  actually  seen 
them'"  He  replied,  "  Not  with  my  natural  eyes, but  with  an  eye  of 
39 


*»•! 


1^ 


458 


MEMOIRS    OF 


faith.  Iknow  they  are  here.  They  are  around  my  bed  and  in  my 
room." 

Mr.  Willard  called.  Taking  his  hand,  he  said,  "  I  have  loved  you 
much.  Sweet  has  been  our  acquaintance.  O,  if  you  can  see  it  duty, 
preach  the  gospel.  Do  all  the  good  you  can.  I  have  been  thinking 
over  the  toilsome  labors  which  have  literally  worn  me  out  at  the  age  of 
forty  ;  and  the  remembrance  of  the  particular  efforts  I  have  made,  through 
storms  and  fatigue,  to  preach  the  gospel  to  poor  sinners,  look  to  me  now 
as  the  brightest  spots  of  my  life.  Often,  to  reach  my  appointments,  1 
have  rode  or  walked  without  a  dry  thread  about  me,  and  m  that  state 
gone  into  congregations  and  preached." 

He  talked  some  time  with  me,  advising  me  what  to  do  for  the  future. 
Among  other  things,  he  said,  "  I  charge  you,  don't  let  your  affection  for 
me  keep  any  of  my  clothes  that  you  can  dispose  of  in  any  manner  to 
be  useful  to  you,  or  to  others.  In  my  view,  it  would  be  a  species  of  idol- 
atry." 

After  a  few  moments,  seeing  me  weep,  he  repeated  :  "  Our  light 
afflictions  which  are  but  for  a  moment,  shall  work  out  for  us  a  far — 
more— exceeding — and  eternal  weight  of  glory.  0  what  language  ! 
What  a  combination  of  words  !  How  expressive  !  What  ideas  !  far 
-^more — exceeding — and  eternal — weight — not  a  quantity  but  WEIGHT 
of  glory!  No  met::  rhetorician,  no  uninspired  man,  ever  wrapped  up 
so  much  meaning  in  so  few  words.  O  I  would  not  rob  you  of  one  star 
in  your  crown  by  wishing  your  sufferings  less.  God  will  sanctify  them 
all,  I  know  he  will." 

Professor  Finney  called  and  inquired  about  his  mind.  He  said 
it  was  hard  work  for  him  to  think  much.  Prof.  F.  remarked  he  had 
been  expecting  his  mind  to  fail.  He  replied,  "  I  have  always  felt  a 
great  horror  of  being  deranged  in  my  last  moments,  but  now  I  feel  per- 
fectly willing;  for,"  he  added  with  great  emphasis,  "o//  is  safe.''^ 
Two  or  three  hours  after  this,  his  mind  began  to  wander,  and  the  use  of 
his  faculties  rapidly  failed.     Passed  a  very  distressed  night. 

November  25.  Weaker  than  ever,  was  greatly  distressed,  thanked 
God  for  it, — said,  "  Home  !  home  !  home  I     Hallelujah  !" — sung 

"  Cease,  fond  nature." — 
He  smiled  lontinually,  and  bore  his  sufferings  with  a  meekness  and 
patience  that  seemed  almost  sublime. 

He  dictated  the  following  letters.  The  first  was  addressed  to  a  min- 
ister. 

*' Dear  b-other, — I  expect  some  to  get  home  to-day — to  my  sweet, 
long  home.  I  hope  you  will  yet  meet  me  there,  but  as  I  had  not 
strength  to  converse  with  you  as  I  wished  when  you  called,  I  want  to 
dictate  to  my  wife  a  dying  message  for  you.  I  have  for  the  twenty-five 
years  of  my  miniftry  borne  n  pointed  rebuke  against  sin,  even  the  sins 
of  my  dearest  friends,  perfectly  regardless  of  personal  interest,  for  I 
have  feared  God !  1  knew  I  was  going  to  the  judgment.  This  has 
caused  me  enemies  and  opposition,  but  now,  in  my  dying  moments,  the 
joy  it  gives  ine  is  inexpressible.  I  have  often  been  personal  and  said 
'  Thou  art  the  man,'  and  0  the  peace,  the  peace,  the  peace,  it  gives. 
My  garments  are  clear  from  the  blood  of  souls.  I  want  to  say  to  you  in 
the  utmost  love  ;        «        *        *        Stand  up  in  defence  of  great  prin- 


nn 


ed 

jud 
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he 
der; 


.^^^ 


DAVID   MARKS. 


450 


my 


and 


eiples.  Do  right  and  the  God  of  peace  will  be  with  you.  May  God 
"  efficient  niinister,  that  shall  have  many  souk  in 
*ell  till  we  meet  above. 

David  Marks." 


make  you  a  holy  and 
your  crown.     larewt 


[To  the  December  term  of  the  Lorain  quarterly  meeting.] 

"  Dearly  beloved  brethren : — 

Before  this  reaches  you,  I  shall  be  in  heaven  with  Christ  and 
glorified  spirits  around  God's  burning  throne.  I  go  rejoicing  with  joy 
unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  The  valley  of  death  is  not  dark  but 
light  and  shining,  for  God  is  with  me.  His  everlasting  arms  are  under- 
neath me.  Dear  brethren,  1  want  you  to  meet  me  in  that  bright  world. 
I  thought  I  should  labor  and  suffer  a  little  more  with  you  when  I  met 
you  in  the  last  session  of  the  quarterly  meeting,  but  my  Heavenly  Fa- 
ther hath  need  of  me  for  the  work  of  the  spirit-land,  for  which  he  has 
perfectly  fitted  and  trained  me.  Suffer  a  word  of  exhortation  from  your 
dying  brother,  the  last  he  will  ever  say  to  you.  Be  fearless,  bold,  un- 
compromising in  the  defence  of  truth,  while  you  exhibit  all  the  meek- 
ness and  gentleness  of  Christ.  Love  and  cherish  those  faithful  servants 
of  God,  who,  regardless  of  your  favors  or  frowns,  dare  to  tell  you  your 
sins.  Don't  count  them  your  encmirs,  for  they  are  your  best  friends. 
O  seek  for  holiness  of  heart,  entire  consecration  to  God,  for  sympathy 
with  Christ.  This  is  a  dark  world,  full  of  selfishness  and  sin.  God  has 
need  of  you,  my  brethren,  tc  aid  in  the  work  of  saving  souls.  O  how 
many  around  you,  even  some  in  your  own  families,  are  living  without 
God!  and  O,  dreadful  thought !  how  many  are  at  ease  in  Zion,  their 
minds  blinded  by  the  god  of  this  world,  stumbling-blocks  to  the 
impenitent  around  them !  O  what  a  fearful  experience  awaits  such 
souls!  ! 

But,  brethren,  you  cannot  labor  successfully  for  God  unless  your 
hearts  are  right — unless  you  are  filled  with  the  Spirit.  O  will  you  seek 
for  a  revival  of  God's  work  throughout  your  borders,  first,  by  searching 
your  own  hearts  faithfully,  and  getiing  them  filled  with  the  love  of  God, 
and  then  laboring  with  mighty  prayer,  and  with  earnest,  faithful  warn- 
ings of  those  around  you  who  are  away  from  God. 

My  soul  mourns  over  the  trials  among  you,  but  it  affords  me  great 
joy  in  these  my  last  hours,  that  my  Heavenly  Father  permitted  me  to 
meet  you  at  your  last  session,  and  leave  with  you  my  testimony  to 
great  principles.  0  my  brethren,  never,  O  never,  let  satan  so  beguile 
you,  that  you  shall  attempt  to  muzzle  the  mouths  of  God's  ministers. 
Let  them  do  the  preaching  God  bids  them.     They  are  His  ambassadors. 

0  liow  often  have  brethren,  and  dear  brethren,  since  I  commenced  m  the 
ministry,  wanted  me  to  pretich  smooth  things,  beggcu  me  not  to  say 
any  thmg  about  masonry,  temperance,  missions,  slavery,  &c.  saying  if 

1  did,  I  would  offend  some  who  were  my  warm  friends  and  who  had 
contributed  to  my  necessities.  At  such  times,  hov/  has  my  spirit  burn- 
ed within  me,  and  I  have  felt  to  say,  "  Get  behind  me  satan."  The 
judgment  and  eternity  would  rise  up  before  mc, — my  awful  responsibil- 
ity to  God  and  undying  souls — and  the  truth  upon  tho.se  point.s,  would 
be  like  fire  shut  up  in  my  i)ones,  so  that  my  spirit  had  no  rest  till  I  had 
declared  it  whether  men  would  hear  or  forbear,  whether  I  had  abun- 


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dance  or  lacked  the  necessities  of  life.  Othe  sweet  peace  I  now  enjoy. 
My  garments  are  pure  from  the  blood  of  souls.  I  liave  not  shunned  to 
declare  the  counsel  of  God.  There  is  not  a  cloud  between  me  and  my 
Savior.  The  light  of  his  blessed  countenance  constantly  shines  upon 
my  soul.  O  how  much  this  is  worth  in  such  an  hour  as  this.  Breth- 
ren, would  you  exchange  it  for  the  applause  of  all  the  mortal  worms 
of  earth  ?  If  you  would,  I  would  not.  My  soul  is  full.  I  was  never 
before  so  happy.  O  the  peace,  the  joy,  the  ecstacy,  that  God  continual- 
ly gives  me.  Brethren,  be  faithful  to  God  and  truth,  and  this  rich  ex- 
perience will  be  yours  in  a  dying  hour.     Farewell  till  we  meet  above. 

Yours  for  immortality, 

David  Marks." 


I  «*.■ 


■*!>' 


November  26.  He  appeared  to  have  his  senses,  but  his  mind  was 
extremely  weak,  so  that  it  was  difficult  for  him  to  remember  wl.at  he 
wished  to  say,  after  he  commenced  a  sentence.  Still  he  was  inexpress- 
ibly happy.  He  said  to  Elder  Knight,  "O,  Brother  Knight,  preach, 
preach  a  Holy  Ghost  religion." 

Seeing  me  weeping,  said  he,  '*  My  dear  Marilla,  I  shall  love  you  as 
well,  yes,  better,  when  lam  gone,  than  I  ever  have  on  earth,  and  I  have 
no  doubt  but  that  my  spirit  will  often  visit  you  and  minister  to  you,  per- 
haps be  your  guardian  angel."  A  little  after  noon.  Prof.  Finney  call- 
ed. I  told  him  my  husband's  unsuccessful  attempt  the  day  previous  to 
write  his  name.  He  smiled  and  said,  *'  I  think  I  can  write  it  to-day." 
A  pencil  and  paper  were  handed  him.  He  wrote  very  awkwardly,  "  Da- 
vidd.*^  On  being  told  of  it,  he  clapped  his  hands,  and  with  tears  of  joy, 
shouted  as  loud  as  his  hoarse  voice  would  permit,  "  Bless  the  Lord, 
bless  the  Lord,  Hallelujah.  Am  I  so  near  my  home  1  Can't  write  my 
name.  O,  bless  the  Lord."  Seizing  Prof.  Finney's  hand,  he  continu- 
ed, "  O,  bless  the  Lord,  that  I  am  so  near  home,  home,  sweet  home." 
He  then  threw  his  arms  round  my  neck — "  O  my  dear  wife,  you  have 
been  a  faithful,  good  wife  ;  we  shall  soon  meet.  You  have  been  a  faith- 
ful Christian — a  great  help  to  me  in  my  ministry.  You  never  held  me 
back,  never  placed  the  least hinderance  in  my  way.  God  will  bless  you." 
Said  Prof.  Finney  to  the  by-standers — *'  Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  be- 
hold ihe  upright,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace." 

He  seemed  remarkably  affectionate  and  child-like.  A  barber  shaved 
him.  (A  coloredman.)  He  kissed  him  very  affectionately,  andlookingup, 
said  :  '*  O,  how  I  love  you,  God  bless  you."  Several  friends  called,  it 
seemed  as  if  his  heart  burned  with  affection.  He  would  kiss  them,  and  as 
they  were  going  out  would  say,  "  I  hate  to  have  you  go."  Hee.;pressed 
much  concern  about  my  health,  requested  some  friends  to  watch  over 
me,  and  frequently  said  :  **  Poor  child  !  Poor  child  !" 

November  27.  Seemed  very  pasy  but  extremely  weak.  Spoke  in  a 
whisper.  Said  liiue.  Mrs.  Professor  Allen  called,  and  asked  for  my 
signature  to  a  petition,  remonstrating  against  the  annexation  of  Texas. 
Mr.  Marks  eagerly  inquired,  '*  May  my  name  go  on?"  He  was  told 
that  this  petition  was  exclusively  for  ladies,  but  that  there  was  a 
similar  one  circulating  in  the  village  for  gentlemen,  and  if  he  wished, 
his  name  should  go  on  that.  He  said,  "  I  do  wish  it."  One  of  his  at- 
tendants promised  him  that  it  should  be  done.     At  every  arrival  of  his 


DAVID    MARKS. 


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anti-slavery  papers,  he  would  ask  me  to  see  if  there  was  any  good 
news  for  God's  afflicted,  oppressed  poor.  The  last  that  it  is  recollect- 
ed that  he  read  was  in  an  anti-slavery  paper  a  day  or  two  previous  to 
this  date. 

Professors  Finney  and  Morgan  called.  Throwing  his  arms  around 
Professor  Morgan's  neck,  he  said,  *'  I  have  wanted  to  see  you  very 
much."  Professor  Morgan  spoke  of  a  certain  Christian  who  said  he 
would  rather  die  and  have  his  body  laid  in  the  grave,  than  he  translated 
as  Enoch  was,  because  his  Savior  disd  and  was  buried.  I  asked  him  il 
he  felt  so.  He  said,  "  O  yes,  if  it  be  the  Lord's  will."  The  two  fol- 
lowing days  he  said  little,  slept  most  of  the  time. 

November  30.  Failed  very  fast.  At  night  had  no  pulse.  Slept 
most  of  the  night. 

December  1.  Slept  very  sweetly,  reclining  on  pillows  in  his  easy 
chair.  About  eight  o'clock,  A.  M.  Professor  Finney  called.  I  arous- 
ed him,  but  as  he  took  no  notice  oi'  him,  I  inquired,  "  Do  you  know 
who  that  isl"  He  smiled  and  sai'J.,  '*  Yes,  I  do.  It  is  my  brother  Fin- 
ney," and  immediately  fell  usleep.  As  Professor  Finney  was  about  to 
leave,  I  tried  to  arouse  him  again  ;  and  as  he  saw  liim  going  out,  he 
whispered,  "  Farewell,"  which  was  about  the  last  word  he  was  heard 
to  say.  When  spoken  to  afterwards,  sometimes  he  would  answer 
*'  Yes,"  or  "  No,"  at  other  times  would  only  smile.  A  little  before 
noon,  he  made  a  signal  to  be  laid  on  his  couch.  His  attendants  attempt- 
ed to  remove  him,  but  it  distressed  him  so  much,  that  he  desired  to  be 
set  back  in  his  chair,  when,  with  a  sweet  smile,  he  fell  asleep  almost 
instantly.     He  continued  to  sleep  as  quietly  as  an  infant  till  about  half 

East  four  o'clock,  P.  M.,  when  he  made  another  signal  to  be  removed  to 
is  couch.  As  he  was  set  down  on  the  bed,  a  change  was  perceived. 
I  took  his  head  on  a  pillow,  he  placed  one  hand  under  his  head,  while 
little  Julia,  weeping  and  sobbing,  took  the  other.  His  eyes  rolled  back 
in  his  head,  he  breathed  hard  four  or  five  times,  and  then,  without  a 
struggle  or  a  groan,  or  even  one  gasp,  all  was  still.  He  was  gone  ! 
His  spirit  had  soared  on  angel  wings. 

December  2.  Professor  Dascomb,  assisted  by  Doctors  Steele  and 
Boyce,  made  a  post  mortem  examination,  which  they  reported  as  fol- 
lows : 

*'  .4  post  mortem  examination  of  Elder  Marks,  twenty-four  hours  after 
death,  exhibited  the  system  generally  in  a  dropsical  state. 

The  cavity  of  the  chist  contained  several  pints  of  water.  The  heart 
was  enlarged,  and  together  with  the  membrane  lining  the  cavity  of  the 
chest,  presented  indications  of  chronic  inflammation. 

The  cavity  tf  ^hc  abdomen  contained  about  two  gallons  of  water. 
The  liver  and  s'pkm  '.vere  both  much  hardened  by  disease,  especially  the 
latter  organ.  Mho  disease  of  these  organs  was  undoubtedly  of  long 
standing.  Extensive  adhesions  were  found  about  the  kidneys,  and  in- 
deed the  organs  in  this  cavity  generally  bore  strong  marks  of  the  rav- 
ages of  chronic  inflammation.  The  inner  coat  of  the  stomach,  espec- 
ially, had  been  in  a  state  of  universal  inflammation. 

The  external  dropsy,  or  the  efl'usion  of  water  into  the  cellular  tissue, 
was  confined  to  the  body  and  lower  limbs,  the  head  and  arms  being  quite 
free  from  it. 

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The  lungs  liad  a  more  healthy  appearance  than  any  of  the  other  in- 
ternal organs." 

December  3.  About  one  o'clock,  P.  M.,  his  corpse  was  removed  to 
the  new  brick  meeting  house,  which  was  the  first  ever  carried  within  its 
walls.  Several  brethren  and  sisters  followed  in  the  procession  as  mourn- 
ers. Professor  Finney  preached  from  the  text  Mr.  Marks  had  suggested. 
Professor  Cowles,  editor  of  the  Oberlin  Evangelist,  briefly  reported  the 
sermon  as  follows,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  passages  which  were 
omitted,  and  which  have  since  been  supplied  by  Professor  Finney.* 

SERMON. 

Text — 1  Tim.  4:7.  '*  Exercise  thyself  rather  unto  godliness/^ 
In  discussing  the  subject  presented  in  the  text,  I  shall  consider, 

I.  The  spirit  of  the  injunction  it  contains. 

II.  The  conditions  of  obeying  it. 

III.  The  reasons  for  the  injunction. 

I.  Taking  into  view  the  whole  of  the  verse  of  which  the  text  is  a 
part,  it  is  obvious  that  there  are  two  prime  ideas  involved  in  the  spirit  of 
the  injunction : — namely, 

1.  A  caution  against  giving  attention  to  things  that  are  idle  and  profit- 
less. By  **  prolane  and  old  wives'  fables,"  Paul  may  have  referred 
to  the  doctrines  of  the  Rabbins,  than  which  nothing  can  well  be  more 
worthless  and  ill  befitting  a  sensible  and  Christian  man  who  has  the  gos- 
pel to  preach  to  perishing  men.  Take  heed,  Paul  would  say  to  his  son 
Timothy — take  heed  that  you  be  not  ensnared  by  any  reading,  or  any 
legends  of  tradition  which  can  only  amuse  without  instructing,  and 
therefore  waste  time  without  profit.  Let  "  old  wives'  fables"  alone. 
A  man  of  God  to  be  thoroughly  furnished  must  store  his  mind  with 
better  things  than  those.  If  thou  wouldst  keep  thyself  pure,  take  care 
to  avoid  such  things.  Fables  and  stories  for  amusement,  fit  only  for 
such  as  are  in  their  first  or  second  childhood,  will  pollute  your  mind, 
and  grieve  away  the  Holy  Spirit  of  Truth.  From  all  such  things  turn 
away. 

2.  Exercise  thyself  rather  unto  godliness.  This  is  the  more  excel- 
lent way.  Practice  godliness ; — not  only  learn  what  it  is,  but  put  it  in 
practice — bring  it  into  your  daily  spirit  and  daily  life.  Godliness  is  be- 
ing like  God.  Of  course  the  meaning  of  this  precept  is — become  God- 
like. Adopt  the  spirit  of  Jesus  your  Master,  and  live  a  life  like  His. 
Exercise  yourself  in  this.  The  word  exercise  seems  to  be  an  allusion 
to  the  ancient  Elysian  and  Olympic  games,  in  which  various  exercises 
were  carefully  practiced,  to  discipline  the  body  for  victory  in  the  hour  of 
conflict.  The  next  verse  sustains  this  allusion — *'  Bodily  exercise 
profiteth  little."  Yet  those  candidates  for  contest  in  the  games, 
shrink  not  from  any  severity  of  discipline — they  keep  their  body  under 
and  are  temperate  in  all  things, — only  to  obtain  a  perishable  twig  ol 
laurel.     How  much  more  should  you  exercise  yourself  to  be  like  God, 

*  It  is  due  to  Prolessor  Finney  to  remark  that  most  reporters  have  found  it  difficult  to 
do  him  justice.  On  account  of  his  rapid  delivery,  they  have  seldom  l)een  able  to  pre- 
serve his  language,  and  preseut  his  thoughts  in  liis  own  peculiar,  bold,  aud  lucid  man* 
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{•mce  the  prize  is  an  immortal  crown  of  glory,  and  the  jtrofit  is  beyond 
measure  great,  both  in  this  lite  and  the  next ' 

These  two  points  then — (first  avoid  all  diverting  and  polluting  infUi- 
ences,  and,  secondly,  discipline  yourself  to  become  like  God,)  constitute 
the  spirit  of  the  injunction  of  our  text. 

II.     We  pass  to  notice  some  of  the  cojufifions  of  obeying  it. 

1.  True  and  thorovgh  regeneration — a  new  birth  which  transforms  tlie 
moral  character,  causing  old  things  to  pass  away  and  all  things  to  bo 
come  new.  This  is  a  change  not  merely  of  opinion,  or  of  intellect,  but 
of  the  heart.  There  is  no  beginning  to  exercise  one's  self  unto  godli- 
ness without  this  change.  Tliis  change  itself  is  from  the  image  of  sa- 
tan  to  the  image  of  God. 

3.  The  baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  This  is  perfectly  indispensable  to 
success  and  even  to  diligent  eftbrt.  The  being  like  God,  which  is  re- 
(luired  and  implied  in  exercising  one's  self  unto  godliness,  demands  u 
deep  study  of  God  and  of  godliness.  But  none  will  ever  learn  God 
excepi  as  taught  by  the  Spirit.  And  none  will  exercise  themselves  in 
this  study  and  in  the  practice  of  living  like  God  unions  the  i:^pirit  of 
God  mightily  imbue'their  hearts. 

3.  A  deep  and  abiding  sympathy  with  God.  There  is  substantial  and 
rich  meaning  in  this  language.  There  is  such  a  thing  as  having  sym- 
pathy with  God.  Nay,  every  real  Christian  must  and  docs  have  such 
sympathy — he  enters  into  the  feelings  of  the  Deity — adopts  the  same 
great  end  of  life, — has  the  same  objects  of  supreme  affection,  so  that 
heart  beats  in  unison  with  heart.  This  is  sympathy — such  as  man 
must  have  with  his  God.  This  is  plainly  involved  in  exercising  one's 
self  unto  godliness. 

To  obey  this  precept  effectually,  you  must  have  so  strong  and  deep 
a  sympathy  with  God  as  shall, 

(1.)  Overcome  the  love  of  promiscuous  reading.  By  "  profane'' iti> 
tlie  verse  of  our  text  is  meant  whatever  is  not  sacred  ;  just  as  we  call 
all  history  profane  history  which  is  not  sacred  history.  The  true  spirit 
of  the  requirement  therefore  enjoins  Christians  to  forego  at  least  in  gen- 
eral all  profane  reading,  and  certainly  all  that  in  the  least  interferes 
with  exercising  themselves  unto  godliness.  No  profane  works  are  to 
be  read  or  studied  only  so  far  as  their  reading  and  study  will  make  you 
more  like  God,  and  thus  help  you  in  exercising  yourself  unto  godliness. 
You  must  have  so  much  sympathy  with  God  as  shall  annihilate  all  rel- 
ish for  reading  that  tends  not  to  make  you  like  God.  Nothing  can  be 
more  certain  than  this. 

(2.)  Again,  so  deep  must  be  your  sympathy  with  God  that  it  sliall 
quite  overcome  the  disposition  to  useless  sjHjculation  and  vain  philoso- 
phizing. There  is  a  vast  amount  of  this  among  men  whose  minds  are 
more  intellectual  than  spiritual,  and  who  love  the  amusement  of  curious 
speculation  more  than  the  luxury  of  studying  the  depths  of  godliness. 
This  state  of  mind  must  be  changed.  Those  studies  which  furnish 
neither  the  head  nor  the  heart  with  any  thing  really  useful  to  God  or 
iTian  must  be  put  away  : — nay,  you  must  have  so  vital  a  sympathy  with 
God,  that  it  shall  quite  eradicate  that  vile  taste  for  things  profitless,  and 
implant  a  vigorous  thirsting  of  soul  after  the  better  things  of  God. 


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(3.)  So  (lerp  must  be  your  sympathy  with  God  that  it  shall  destroy 
your  love  of  pcipularity  with  men.  Surely  you  must  have  enough  ot" 
God  to  elTcct  this,  or  you  cannot  in  spirit  olioy  the  injunction  o(  our 
text.  You  uf'ver  can  exorcise  yourself  to  be  like  God  until  you  value 
his  favor  incomparably  more  than  the  favor  of  man.  Indeed,  according 
lo  the  Uiblc,  you  cannot  ev«^n  helwvc,  so  long  ns  you  "  seek  honor  one  of 
another,  and  seek  not  the  honor  that  cometh  from  God  only."  Plainly, 
vou  must  have  to  much  sympathy  with  God  as  shall  overcome  alike  the 
love  of  applause  and  the  ^ear  of  reproach — for  while  these  prevail,  you 
will  do  any  thing  rather  than  exercise  yourself  unto  godliness. 

(4.)  Of  sympathy  with  God  you  must  have  enough  to  overcome  the 
thirst  for  worldly  gain.  So  long  as  this  thirst  bears  sway  in  your  heart, 
you  surely  cannot  exercise  yourself  to  be  like  God.  You  must  be  satis- 
fied with  the  comforts  of  life,  and  content  with  the  awards  of  divine 
providence— 'Content  moreover  to  live  by  faith  in  God  for  future  good,  so 
as  to  have  no  anxieties  except  for  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his  right- 
eousness.    Else  you  caimot  exercise  yourself  for  the  Christian  strife. 

(5.)  Your  sympathy  with  God  must  be  so  strong  as  to  overcome  your 
love  of  ease.  Those  men  of  the  Olympic  games  had  to  crucify  their 
love  of  ease.  So  and  much  more  must  you  if  you  would  contend  with 
principalities  and  powers,  with  the  rulers  of  the  darkness  of  this  world, 
with  wicked  spirits  in  high  places.  So  and  much  more  if  you  would 
exei-cise  yourself  unto  godliness.  Did  Christ  indulge  his  love  of  ease, 
or  did  Paul  ?  Have  any  of  those  men  ever  done  so  who  have  achieved 
much  for  God,  or  for  their  generation  according  to  the  will  of  God? 

(H.)  You  must  have  sympathy  with  God  in  such  a  degree  as  shall 
aui>press  a  Hll'-iiidulgcni  spirit.  Even  Christ  pleased  not  himself — nor  did 
Paul,  nor  have  ever  any  of  those  men  whose  life  and  labors  have  blessed 
the  world,  and  have  secured  the  favor  of  God.  No  man  can  live  for  the 
end  of  self-indulgence,  and  yet  do  any  thing  great  and  good  for  God  i)r 
for  his  race. 

(7.)  Your  sympathy  with  God  must  beget  a  self-sacrificing  spirit. 
The  doctr  ne  of  the  gospel  on  this  point  is — "  Present  your  bodies  a  liv- 
ing sacrifice  unto  God."  All  must  belaid  on  his  altar.  He  demands 
a  whole  burnt-offering. 

I  have  been  struck  with  the  exemplification  of  this,  in  the  example 
which  brother  Marks  has  left  its.  Indeed,  if  this  were  the  place,  I  could 
show,  under  each  of  these  heads,  how  appositely  each  point  is  illustrated 
in  his  life  and  spirit.  Seldom  in  any  man  have  I  .seen  the  love  of  erise 
and  of  reputation  so  entirely  subdued.  He  has  often  told  me  tha  he 
grudged  the  liours  of  sleep.  He  could  not  bear  to  suspend  his  labois 
for  God  long  enough  to  take  the  repose  which  his  physical  and  nervous 
system  demanded. 

A  man  needs  to  have  his  heart  so  set  upon  his  work  as  to  beget  a 
thirst  after  truth,  and  an  intense  desire  to  know  what  he  shall  do  to  hon- 
or and  serve  God.  Unless  a  man  has  this  spirit,  he  cannot  do  much  for 
his  generation.  He  must  have  enough  of  it  to  set  his  soul  all  on  fire  to 
get  at  the  very  foundations  of  those  great  principles  which  are  involved 
in  the  salvation  of  our  race.  The  men  who  would  move  the  minds  of 
the  age  must  understand  these  things  fundamentally. 


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Ajrain,  a  man  must  have  great  hont'sly,  and  a  child-like  spirit,  if  he 
VNOuKl  attain  the  truth  and  avoid  all  error.  "  Except  ye  be  conv'ertid 
and  become  as  little  children,  ye  hIuiH  not  enter  into  the  kiufj^doni  of 
heaven."  This  wa3  a  most  remarkable  feature  in  the  character  o( 
brother  Marks.  In  illustration  of  it  I  may  adduce  one  fact  of  his  his- 
tory, lie  once  foil  into  a  snare  in  conscfjuence  of  reailing  a  book  in  de- 
fence of  Unitarianism.  It  presented  arguments  whi<'h  ho  did  not  then 
see  how  to  answer,  and  his  honesty  was  such  that  he  could  do  no  other- 
wise than  to  hold  his  mind  in  suspense  and  humbly  seek  for  light. 
There  stood  the  arguments  which  he  knew  not  how  to  meet  :  he  could 
not  got  round  them  or  thrust  them  aside  out  of  his  way.  It  should  l)e 
noted  here  that  he  was  yet  very  young,  and  not  extensively  read  in  the 
abstruse  things  of  divinity.  He  began  to  preach  at  the  age  of  fifteen, 
and  devoted  so  much  time  to  preaching,  as  left  little  leisure  for  deep 
study  in  the  more  speculative  departments  of  polemic  theology.  To  re- 
turn. Ad  his  honesty  and  simplicity  of  character  were  conspicuous  in 
the  way  of  his  getting  into  the  snare,  so  were  they  also  in  his  way  of 
getting  out.  lie  shrank  not  away  from  his  ministerial  brethren,  afraid 
of  their  censure,  and  sensitive  lest  his  orthodoxy  should  be  questioned— 
No,  he  frankly  laid  before  them  all  his  difficulties.  A  father  in  the  min- 
istry asked  him  to  sit  down  with  himself  and  read  the  Bible.  They 
began  with  the  first  chapter  of  Paul  to  the  Hebrews,  and  read  on  with 
no  marked  results  till  they  came  to  the  tenth  verse.  Here,  said  brother 
Marks,  the  aged  father  paused,  laid  his  finger  down  upon  it,  and  read 
it  with  such  a  tone  of  reverence  and  solemn  emphasis,  as  made  its  truth 
flash  in  floods  of  light  upon  my  mind.  "  Thou,  Lord,  in  the  beginning 
hast  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth,  and  the  heavens  are  the  works  of 
thy  hands."  I  now,  said  he,  saw  Jesus  to  be  the  .supreme  Creator  in 
so  strong  and  clear  a  view  as  showed  me  at  once  that  I  could  no  longer 
suppose  him  to  have  made  the  worlds  by  any  delegated  power.  ThuL. 
his  candor  and  honesty  brought  him  promptly  out  of  the  snare,  and  are 
not  less  beautifully  illustrated  here  than  in  his  manner  of  holding  up  his 
mind  when  unanswerable  arguments  fell  in  his  way. 

Once  more,  let  me  observe,  j'ou  must  have  so  much  sympathy  whh 
God  as  will  overcome  ungodly  ambition.  Else  you  cannot  live  for  God, 
for  this  ambition  can  never  be  blended  with  godline.'<s. 

Again,  an  essential  condition  of  obeying  the  injunction  of  the  text  is 
great  love  for  spiritual  labor,  love  for  every  sort  of  labor  to  which  the 
Lord  calls  you.  This  has  a  most  remarkable  illustration  in  the  case  of 
our  deceased  brother.  You  know  he  has  preached  a  great  deal — few 
men  of  his  years,  if  any,  have  preached  so  much.  And  he  has  loved 
this  work.  His  love  and  thirst  for  his  work  have  been  all-consuming. 
It  seemed  to  swallow  up  his  whole  soul.  His  economy  of  his  time  was 
most  rigid.  No  man  perhaps  was  ever  more  peculiar  for  this  than  he. 
You  have  seen  him  riding  these  streets  in  his  little  old  wagon,  or  on 
horseback,  and  reading  all  along  as  he  went,  jealous  lest  even  a  moment 
should  slip  away  unimproved.  I  have  often  gazed  at  him  with  admira- 
tion, as  I  have  seen  him,  sometimes  drawing  lumber,  and  seated  upon  a 
board  or  upon  the  naked  reach  of  his  little  wagon,  so  deeply  engaged  in 
reading,  that,  but  for  the  fact  that  Ins  little  horse  ^\as  so  aged  and  gen- 
tle, I  should  have  feared  for  his  safety  in  i!  ing  with  no  attention  to  his 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

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MEMOIRS    OF 


driving.  I  have  met  him  out  of  the  vilhigc,  riding  in  the  same  manner, 
so  lost  in  reading  as  not  to  appear  to  know  whether  he  was  going  or 
standing  still.  You  would  bo  surprised  to  know  how  rigidly  his  manner 
of  spending  his  time  was  noted  down — how  carefully  all  his  moments 
were  measured  out,  and  how  scrupulous  he  was  to  see  to  it  that  every 
moment  was  well  spent.* 

I  only  add  further,  that  any  man  to  comply  with  this  requirement 
needs  a  most  controlling  and  absorbing  love  for  souls.  Such  a  love  for 
.souls  had  Paul,  and  such  had  his  great  Master. 

III.  I  must  next  adduce  some  oi  tlie  reasons  for  tins  rcffniramnt. 

1.  This  world  is  a  place  of  training  for  the  next.  This  is  its  chief 
business.  The  characters  of  men  are  here  being  moiilded  either  to  be 
like  God  or  like  the  devil.  All  moral  agents  here  are  either  preparing 
for  those  high  scenes  of  usefulness  and  glory  that  are  reserved  for  the 
saints  ;  or  for  the  wailings,  the  blasphemies,  and  the  despair  of  the 
damr.ed.  Now,  be  it  well  understood,  if  a  man  is  not  exercising  himself 
unto  godliness,  he  is  not  training  for  heaven.  "  Blessed  be  God,"  said 
brother  Marks,  "  God  has  trained  me  for  my  work.  I  doubt  not  that 
when  I  get  into  eternity,  I  shall  find  that  all  my  labors  here,  and  all  my 
love  for  my  work,  have  been  fitting  me  for  a  more  glorious  sphere  of  la- 
bor there.  O,  it  will  be  so  blessed  to  work  for  God  to  all  eternity  ! 
There  I  shall  never  tire,  never  wear  out ;  shall  not  need  to  stop  to  sleep 
or  to  eat — but  may  go  on  my  unwearied  and  unretarded  course  forev- 


er 


I" 


2.  The  Apostle  subjoins  as  another  reason  for  exercising  one's  self 
unto  godliness — For  bodily  exercise  profit eth  little.  It  is  of  small  avail 
to  chastise  the  body  and  discipline  it  as  the  ancient  athleta;  were  wont  to 
do  ;  and  all  the  usual  results  of  physical  labor  now  are  vi  small  account ; 
but  godliness  is  profitable  unto  all  things,  having  promise  of  all  needed 
good  here  and  of  all  possible  good  hereafter. 

3.  It  is  indispensable  to  doing  much  in  this  world.  No  man  will  ever 
do  much  unless  he  accustoms  himself  to  work  with  all  his  might,  and 
sees  to  it  moreover  that  his  work  be  indeed  exercising  himself  unto  god- 
liness, laboring  io  become  and  be  like  God.  Then  something  great  and 
good  will  be  done. 

4.  This  is  indispensable  to  true  peace  of  mind.  A  man  may  have  an 
Antinomian  peace  of  mind  without  it — a  peace  delusive  and  baseless, 
resting  on  that  strange  notion  that  Christ's  righteousness  imputed  to  us 
wliile  we  live  in  sin,  avails  for  us,  instead  of  Christ's  righteousness 
wrought  in  us.  How  many  such  there  are  now,  filling  the  church  with 
numbers,  with  spiritual  lethargy,  and  fatal  delusion  !  Ask  such — Are 
you  personally  holy  ?  0  no,  I  know  I  am  not ;  but  I  trust  in  Christ's 
imputed  righteousness.  Are  you  indeed  walking  with  God  and  living 
for  God  daily  ?     O,  I  do  not  expect  to  do  that  myself — I  believe  in  an 


U 


I; 


w 


*  For  miiiiy  years,  Mr.  Marks  had  been  in  the  liabit  of  keeping  a  most  rigid  account  of 
the  oernpiincy  ol'liis  linie.  He  alwiiys  carried  with  hiin  a  little  book,  called  his  "  Time 
Ec'uionii'/.er,"  in  which  lie  daily  ciinigid  liinisell'  wiih  the  twenty-four  hours,  and  on  re- 
tiring for  the  night,  accomited  for  every  moment  as  carefully  as  a  miser  would  reckon 
hit*  dollars  and  cents.  Several  times  during  the  last  ivvo  years  of  his  life,  he  attempted 
to  lay  aside  this  practice,  tliinking  it  had  injured  his  healili,  biu  so  iiowerful  had  the 
habit  b(  come,  that  its  siispeuiiioii  allVctcd  him  so  unpleasantly  that  he  would  soon  resume 
it  as  tlie  least  of  two  evils. 


f  =  -;  r 


incr, 


B- 


# 


DAVID   MARKS. 


467 


imputed  righteousness,  -^hnst  lias  obeyed  the  law  perfectly  ;  his  obe* 
dieiice  answers  instead  of  mine.  Thus  a  man  may  cry,  peace,  peace, 
and  his  conscience  be  quite  at  ease  in  his  sins  ;  but  assuredly  unless  he 
exercise  himself  unto  godliness,  he  can  have  no  solid  peace  here  nor 
hereafter. 

5.  It  is  indispensable  to  peace  vnth  God.  It  is  absurd  that  God  should 
be  at  peace  with  a  man  who  is  not  holy  ; — who  does  not  exercise  liim- 
self  unto  godliness  :  and  is  not  perfecting  holiness  in  the  fear  of  God. 
It  is  indeed  a  marvellous  fact  that  men  should  thus  pervert  tiie  g'tspel — 
should  thus  dream  of  being  in  such  a  covenant  with  Christ  that  God  will 
accept  them  while  ihcy  are  living  in  sin.  Is  Christ  the  minister  of  sin  ? 
Did  he  come  both  to  save  his  people  from  their  sins,  and  also  to  quiet 
their  consciences,  and  give  them  peace  m  their  sins  by  his  imputed 
righteousness  ?  What  can  be  more  absurd  ?  It  would  not  be  easy  lo 
name  a  sentiment  fraught  with  more  mischief  to  the  souls  of  men  than 
this. 

Again,  it  is  indispensable  to  salvation.  No  man  can  be  saved  who 
does  not  exercise  himself  unto  godliness.  It  is  the  only  consistent 
course.  Every  Christian  professes  to  be  a  follower  of  Christ.  Consis- 
tency therefore  requires  that  he  should  be. 

It  is  indispensable  to  a  right  understanding  of  the  spirit  of  the  gospel, 
also  to  true  spirituality  of  mind.  Persons  may  talk  about  being  sjtirit- 
ually  minded  ;  but  it  is  all  a  dream  unless  they  exercise  themselves  unto 
godliness.  Away  with  all  such  spirituality  !  Perhaps  they  would  im- 
mure themselves  in  a  monastery,  or  resign  themselves  to  mystic  dream- 
ing, but  unless  they  vigorously  seek  to  live  for  God,  and  exercise  them- 
selves to  do  all  his  will,  it  can  avail  them  nothing. 

Again,  this  is  the  only  comfortable  course  of  life.  There  will  indeed 
be  many  trials,  but  those  who  meet  and  endure  them  in  the  spirit  of 
faith  and  patience  can  bear  a  full  and  glorious  testimony  that  'his  is  the 
only  way  of  comfort. 

Let  me  add  that  this  is  the  only  course  that  is  honorable  to  God,  also 
that  this  is  the  only  course  of  usefulness.  I  have  known  more  than 
one  poor  woman,  an  invalid  too  perhaps,  and  unable  to  do  any  thing  but 
pray  and  converse,  and  pour  out  the  fullness  of  the  soul  on  the  great 
things  of  God's  kingdom — such  I  have  known  who  have  done  apparent- 
ly more  good  than  almost  any  minister  of  the  gospel.  O,  it  is  a  luxury 
to  hear  such  persons  recount  the  mercies  of  God  towards  themselves. 
In  conversing  with  one  of  them  not  long  since,  a  member  of  the  church 
of  which  I  was  pastor  when  in  the  city  of  New  York,  I  was  greatly  in- 
terested in  the  story  of  the  good  hand  of  God  upon  her,  since  I  had  seen 
her.  She  was  brought  up  a  slave  until  (I  think)  forty  years  of  age. 
When  a  child,  herself  and  two  little  brothers  were  sold  into  a  most 
Christless  and  cruel  family,  I  believe  in  the  northern  part  of  New  Jer- 
sey, or  in  southern  New  York.  She  has  informed  me  that  they  had  no 
bed  or  covering  whatever  provided  for  them  in  the  coldest  weather  in 
winter, — that  they  would  lie  down  together  upon  the  kitchen  floor,  and 
as  the  room  grew  cold,  would  get  upon  the  hearth  close  together  as  pos- 
sible, and,  to  keep  from  freezing,  would  get  more  and  more  into  the  fire- 
place, until  sometimes  chey  were  severely  burned  in  their  sleep.  This  is 
a  specimen  of  her  treatment  when  young.    But  God  finally  gave  lier  lib- 


n 


♦   a>. 


■!■ :' 


n  i 


468 


Memoirs  op 


orty  and  converted  her  soul.  She  is  a  cripple  and  an  invalid,  and  has 
lived  these  many  years  hy  faith.  It  is  always  refreshing  to  meet  her 
and  witness  her  confidence  in  God.  She  does  much  for  the  cause  of 
God  in  many  ways.  Although  she  is  unahle  to  work,  and  lives  wholly 
on  the  free-will  offerings  of  her  friends,  yet  she  gives  more  in  money  to 
suppoi-t  the  gospel)  than  many  men  of  wealth.  She  knows  how  to  draw 
upon  the  "  Bank  of  Faith."  She  contrihutes  regularly  twenty-five 
cents  every  Sabbath  to  the  support  of  public  worship.  This  amounts  to 
$  13.  a  year.  When  1  asked  her  how  she  obtained  it,  she  replied  that 
she  obtained  it  by  faith  ;  that  whatever  she  may  need,  she  always  lays 
by  the  first  money  that  is  given  her  from  week  to  week,  to  give  the  next 
Sabbath  to  the  support  of  the  gospel.  This  amount  is  what  she  gives 
where  she  worships.  To  the  mission,  and  to  every  good  cause,  she 
contributes ;  and  by  visiting,  conversation,  and  prayer,  she  effects 
much  for  the  cause  of  Christ.  There  is  another  woman  in  New  York, 
who,  although  entirely  destitute  of  earthly  goods  of  her  own,  and  con- 
fined these  many  years  to  her  room,  and  most  of  the  time  to  her  bed,  is 
a  living  example  of  the  power  of  faith  and  prayer.  She  is  also  able, 
through  faith,  to  contribute  to  every  good  cause,  more  in  money,  than 
is  given  by  many  wealthy  professors  of  religion.  These  women,  and 
other  men  and  women  like  them,  are  full  of  faith  and  the  Holy  Ghost. 
They  have  learned  to  live  by  faith  in  Jesus,  and  when  they  open  their 
mouths  to  speak  of  his  love,  you  see  that  their  souls  are  ravished,  and 
that  -Tesus  is  indeed  to  them  the  chief  among  ten  thousands.  They  have 
thoroughly  exercised  themselves  unto  godliness,  and  now  they  are  bring- 
ing^forth  fruit  unto  God. 

Finally,  all  such  and  such  only  shall  die  the  death  of  the  righteous. 
If  any  of  you  have  never  known  what  this  is  by  seeing  a  righteous  man 
die,  I  would  to  God  you  might  have  witnessed  the  death-bed  scenes  and 
triumphs  of  brother  Marks.  There  was  a  glorious  illustration  of  the 
blessedness  of  dying  the  death  of  the  righteous. 

I  shall  now  conclude  with  some  notices  of  the  life,  history  and  death 
of  our  departed  brother.  One  general  remark  at  the  outset  will  have 
continual  illustration  as  we  proceed  ; — he  seemed  to  possess  the  charac- 
teristics of  fulfilling  this  great  command — "  Exercise  thyself  unto  god- 
liness." Converted  from  sin  at  the  age  of  ten  years,  he  began  to  preach 
at  the  early  age  of  fifteen,  since  which  time  his  labors  have  been  inces- 
sant. At  the  age  of  twenty-six,  he  published  a  Narrative  of  himself,  at 
the  instance  of  his  friends,  made  up  chiefly  from  his  own  diary.  From 
this  I  sh?ll  take  the  liberty  to  make  some  extracts.  It  appears  from 
this  that  his  labors  in  the  denomination  of  Free-will  Baptists,  to  which 
he  belonged,  were  almost  unbounded.  Probably  no  inan  living  has  done 
more  for  that  order  than  he.  When  his  labors  commenced,  twenty-five 
years  ago,  they  were  few — their  preachers  mostly  illiterate,  though  dis- 
tinguished for  their  piety  and  zeal.  They  had  no  religious  paper  of 
their  own,  no  Book  Concern,  no  literary  institutions.  This  accounts 
for  the  course  brother  Marks  pursued  with  regard  to  his  early  education. 
He  travelled  and  preached  over  the  whole  country  from  the  Ohio  river 
to  the  remote  parts  of  New  England — at  the  cost  of  immense  and  self- 
sacrificing  labor,  he,  at  length,   with  others,  got  up  a  Book  Concern. 

He  came  here  and  located  himself  and  family  three  years  ago,  mainly 
for  the  sake  of  improving  his  own  education.    Having  commenced  his 


DAVID   MARKS. 


469 


•a^' 


ing, 


labors  in  preaching  very  young  and  with  little  education,  he  felt  the 
need  of  it  greatly,  and  seized  the  earliest  opportunity  to  turn  aside  from 
his  career  of  incessant  preaching  for  this  purpose.  He  had  also  collat- 
eral reasons.  His  health  was  already  impaired,  and  he  greatly  needed 
rest.  Moreover  his  acquaintance  in  this  great  western  valley  had  shown 
him  its  immense  importance  in  view  of  the  future  progress  of  Christ's 
kingdom.  He  saw  that  a  great  struggle  of  truth  with  error  must  take 
place  on  this  field,  and  it  would  seem  that  his  heart  was  set  upon  im- 
proving his  education,  that  he  might  bear  an  active  and  vigorous  part  in 
its  achievement.  From  some  circumstances,  I  have  supposed  that  his 
Baptist  brethren  have  not  fully  understood  his  reasons  for  coming  here^ 
They  may  have  feared  that  it  was  some  ambitious  scheme ;  but  nothing 
can  be  farther  from  the  truth.  He  came  here  to  prepare  himself  for  a 
great  work  in  this  great  western  battle-field  of  Zion. 

His  diary  shows  that  he  was  at  one  time  greatly  exercised  on  the  sub- 
ject of  sanctification.  I  have  often  observed  that  God  seems  to  move  on 
many  minds  independently  of  each  other,  at  the  same  time.  So  it  often 
happens  when  a  great  series  of  revivals  is  about  to  ensue  ;  you  will  find 
Christians  moved  in  various  parts  of  the  country  simultaneously,  and  so 
far  as  we  can  see  without  any  concert  or  communication  with  each  oth- 
er. So  the  Lord  led  brother  Marks  to  inquire  on  this,  subject,  at  the  same 
time  that  other  minds  in  other  Christian  denominations  were  also  inquir- 
yet  without  concert  with  each  other. 

In  his  diary  for  February  20,  1828,  he  writes  : — 

' '  On  the  way  to  Middlesex  my  mind  was  impressed  with  the  neces- 
sity of  salvation  from  all  sin.  The  commandment  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
Matt.  5:48,  ^  Be  ye  therefore  perfect,  even  as  your  Father  which  is  in  heav- 
en is  perfect  ,^  came  with  power  into  my  soul.  And,  remembering  the 
declaration  of  the  Apostle,  1  John  5:3,  '  His  commandments  arc  not 
g^rievous,^  my  unbelief  fled  away,  and  faith  said,  '  God's  ways  are 
equal,  and  his  requirements  just.'  '  Whosoever  therefore  shall  break 
one  of  these  least  commandments,  and  shall  teach  men  so,  he  shall  be 
called  the  least  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven.'  Matt.  5:19.  Then  the  fol- 
lowing queries  arose  :  '  If  he  shall  be  least,  who  practices  and  teaches 
contrary  to  the  least  of  Christ's  commandments,  what  will  be  the  fate  of 
him  who  not  only  violates,  but  teaches  contrary  to  the  greatest  com- 
mandment 1  And  what  commandment  is  greater  than  this,  to  be  perfect 
even  as  our  Father  in  heaven  is  perfect?  How  then  dare  I,  a  vessel  of 
the  Lord's  sanctuary,  that  ought  to  be  holy  in  body  and  in  spirit,  live  in 
sin  ? — and,  like  satan,  bring  Scripture  to  justify  my  iniquity,  or  screen 
my  guilty  conscience  1  When  I  preach  to  sinners  that  they  should  '  re- 
pent,' do  they  not  quote  the  words  of  Christ  to  justify  themselves, 
'  Without  me,  ye  can  do  nothing  1' '  And  were  I  to  preach  to  Chris- 
tians that  they  should  be  '  perfect,'  would  they  not  say,  '  There  is  not 
a  just  man  upon  earth,  that  doeth  good  and  sinneth  not?'  After  re- 
flecting on  the  above  queries,  the  conviction  settled  into  my  soul,  as  if 
from  heaven,  that  these  Scriptures  are  as  unjustly  misapplied  as  that 
quoted  by  the  tempter.  Matt.  4:6,  '  Cast  thyself  down  :  for  it  is  writ- 
ten. He  shall  give  his  angels  charge  concerning  thee,'  &c.  Now  it  is 
certain  that  satan  did  act  himself  in  reciting  this  text,  that  he  secerned  to 
have  holy  Scripture  directly  to  the  point  that  he  wished  to  gain.  So,  alas ! 
40 


mM 


*r-- 


iffiaK 


470 


MEMOIRS   OF 


it  is  a  fact,  and  my  blood  chills  at  the  reflection,  that  sinners,  and  even 
saints,  often  quote  Scripture  as  satan  did,  and  make  an  application  equally 
erroneous,  to  justify  their  living  in  sin.  '  And  thou,  my  soul,  be  hum- 
>v  1  exceedingly  before  God  ;  for,  alas  !  thou  also,  since  Heaven  forgave 
thee  all,  hast  recited  and  applied  Scripture  to  justify  thyself;  as  though 
those  who  are  redeemed  from  sin  could  not  help  living  in  sin  !  Hast 
thou  found  that  the  death  of  Christ  was  not  sufficient  to  enable  his  chil- 
dren to  become  like  Nathaniel,  '  A71  Israelite  indeed,  in  tchom  is  no 
guileP  O  be  thou  abased  exceedingly,  for  thou  hast  applied  the  word 
of  God  like  unto  satan,  to  content  thyself  without  entire  victory  over 
sin.  How  vain  was  thy  thought,  that  death,  the  offspring  of  sin,  should 
m  any  way  save  thee,  or  fit  thee  for  heaven.  If  the  blood  of  Jesus  have 
not  the  cleansing  power  to  perfect  thee  for  glory,  how  shall  death  fit 
thee  for  the  better  world  V  From  these  reflections,  I  sunk  into  noth- 
ing before  God,  and  turning  aside  into  a  wood,  I  fell  on  my  face  and 
called  on  the  Lord  ;  and,  blessed  be  his  name,  I  felt  resolved  in  his 
strength  to  strive  to  live  without  sin,  and  '  follow  the  Lamb  whitherso- 
ever he  goeth.'  " 

Those  of  you  who  were  acquainted  with  the  deceased,  know  that  he 
entered  most  heartily  into  all  the  great  Reforms  of  the  age  as  soon  as 
their  respective  subjects  came  fully  before  his  mind.  In  respect  to  those 
reforms,  he  has  no  doubt  done  much  for  his  denomination.  It  is  an  in- 
teresting fact,  that  they  are  now  remarkably  harmonious  on  all  these 
points,  more  so  than  almost  any  other  denomination  in  the  land. 

This  denomination  has  enjoyed  a  rapid  growth  and  a  very  unusual  de- 
gree of  prosperity,  no  inconsiderable  share  of  which  it  is  believed  those 
who  best  know  will  ascribe  to  his  influence  and  labors.  It  has  indeed 
had  many  other  able  and  faithful  ministers,  yet  his  labors  have'  been 
immense,  and  in  the  main  very  successful.  The  body  of  Free-will  Bap- 
tists, which  numbered  about  ten  thousand  when  he  entered  the  ministry, 
is  now  said  to  number  sixty  thousand,  and  to  have  not  far  from  one 
thousand  ministers  in  its  connexion. 

He  was  a  man  of  great  uprightness  of  character,  as  all  know  who 
have  had  any  business  with  him.  He  was  most  scrupulously  accurate 
in  all  his  dealings,  careful  to  pay  every  cent  which  was  righteously  due, 
and  expecting  a  similarly  equitable  course  from  those  with  whom  he 
dealt.  Yet  obviously  the  spring  of  this  was  not  in  his  case  avarice,  but 
genuine  uprightness  of  character. 

As  another  instance,  I  will  mention  that  he  called  on  me  once  this 
fall ,  and  wanted  me  to  attend  to  a  little  matter  between  him  and  another 
individual.  But  he  would  not  tell  me  any  part  of  the  story  lest  he 
should  prejudice  my  mind.  He  wished  me  to  hear  both  sides  at  once, 
and  hear  his  own  statement  in  presence  of  the  other  party  concerned. 

I  have  already  alluded  to  the  fact  that  for  many  years  he  counted 
sleep  a  burden,  and  grudged  even  the  moments  which  he  must  lose 
from  his  Master's  work  in  this  repose  of  nature.  When  I  first  became 
acquainted  with  his  state,  I  ssid  to  him — You  must  sleep.  It  is  your 
duty  to  your  God  and  to  your  generation.  You  are  almost  worn  out, 
but  you  are  too  young  to  close  up  your  labors  yet.  Sleep  enough  may 
restore  your  system,  and  you  may  yet  live  to  do  much  more  for  your 
Master.     I  faced  him  down  in  it,   and  was  earnest  and  decided  with 


DAVID  MARKS. 


471 


him.  I  said,  it  is  impossible  for  you  to  live  so,  and  what  a  pity  that  you 
should  die  an  old  man  while  yet  young.  He  received  it  kindly,  and 
tried  to  sleep  a  great  deal  more  ;  but,  as  sometimes  happens,  tried  so 
hard  that  he  could  not  sleep.  It  was  in  his  heart  to  do  all  known  duty. 
The  spirit  was  willing — the  flesh  weak.  The  fact  was,  his  whole  sys- 
tem was  upon  the  strain.  His  mind  and  whole  nervous  system  were  in 
a  state  of  the  utmost  tension.  The  ardor  of  his  spirit,  glowing  through 
his  kindling  eye,  and  every  thing  about  him,  spoke  a  soul  in  most  sol- 
emn earnest.  His  soul  indeed  was  grown  too  great  and  too  mighty  for 
his  poor  broken  body.  I  admired  and  revered  his  most  devout  zeal  for 
God  and  souls,  and  seldom,  if  ever,  have  I  been  blessed  with  the  ac- 
quaintance of  one  whose  presence  and  spirit  were  at  all  times  so  re- 
freshing to  my  soul,  as  were  brother  Marks',  and  yet  so  loud  a  rebuke  to 
my  comparative  want  of  self-denying  zeal  during  much  of  my  ministerial 
life.  I  always  found  myself  benefited  by  his  society.  I  feel  that  it 
would  have  been  a  great  favor  had  my  Heavenly  Father  suffered  him  to 
abide  at  Oberlin  as  long  as  he  anticipated.  But  brother  Marks,  though 
young,  comparatively,  in  years,  being  only  forty,  had  lived  long  in  the 
actual  results  of  his  labors.  He  had  performed  more  than  the  usual 
work  of  a  hundred  years.  It  was  impossible  without  a  constant  miracle, 
that  he  should  live  under  such  a  weight  of  exciting  and  exhausting  la- 
bors. His  mind,  since  I  have  known  him,  has  been  like  a  powerful 
steam  engine  in  a  frail  and  broken  vessel,  crowded  with  terrible  and  self- 
destructive  speed  through  an  ocean  of  stormy  waves.  This  figure  has 
repeatedly  presented  itself  to  my  mind,  when  I  have  seen  or  thought  of 
him.  I  have  thought  brother  Marks  will  soon  go  to  pieces,  unless  he 
abates  his  speed.  It  was  plain  as  noon-day,  that  his  ardent  soul  was 
tearing  its  frail  tenement  all  in  pieces.  But  rest  was  out  of  the  ques- 
tion with  him.  As  I  said,  when  I  faced  him  down,  I  insisted  that  he 
should  reft ;  but  so  great  and  irrepressible  was  the  ardor  of  his  soul, 
that  the  effort  he  made  to  keep  still,  cost  him  more  than  to  let  his  zeal 
for  God  have  all  the  vent  that  his  frail  body  could  from  day  to  day  sus- 
tain, I  have  regarded  myself  as  peculiarly  blessed  in  that  providence 
which  made  me  more  particularly  acquainted  with  brother  Marks,  than 
many  of  our  brethren  here,  who,  since  his  death,  have  expressed  their 
grief  that  they  had  not  sought  more  intimacy  with  him.  Many  here  can 
attest  the  truth  of  my  testimony  in  regard  to  what  he  was,  and  many 
more  might  have  done  so,  but  for  the  fact,  that  we  are  all  so  pressed 
with  labor,  and  brother  Marks  was  so  truly  a  modest  and  unobtrusive 
man,  that  those  who  knew  him  well,  must  have  been  providentially 
brought  into  contact  with  him.  This  was  my  lot,  and  I  can  truly  say, 
that  to  me  his  memory  is  most  sacred  and  beloved.  All  my  acquain- 
tance with  him  was  sweet  and  hallowed.  He  was  at  all  times  the 
Christian,  and  he  is  one  of  the  few  men  with  whom  I  have  been  at  all 
intimate,  of  whom  I  can  say,  that  1  never  saw  any  thing  in  his  spirit  and 
temper,  and  never  heard  any  thing  from  his  lips,  or  saw  any  thing  in  his 
life  to  deplore.  "  The  memory  of  the  righteous  is  blessed."  I  love  to 
think  of  him,  for  it  does  me  good.  It  makes  me  feel  my  httleness.  His 
countenance,  all  radiant  with  love,  seems  even  now  to  smile  and  take  on 
that  aflfectionate  and  most  earnest  look,  with  which  he  used  to  meet  and 
greet  me.     But  my  brother  is  gone !     My  heart  is  sadly  joyful  when  I 


«<W  ',■! 


■>i  'U 


472 


MEMOIRS    OF 


remember  that  his  work  on  earth  is  done,  his  conflicts  are  over,  and 
especially  that  his  d)  ing  strife  has  ceastd.  Death  has  no  more  to  do 
with  him.  He  lives  lorever.  Do  not  let  us  conceive  of  him  as  to  be 
carried  and  left  in  yonder  grave-yard.  O  no,  he  is  beyond  tiie  reach  of 
death  and  the  grave.  We  may  carry  the  frail  tabernacle  in  which  he 
lived,  as  we  might  carry  the  clothes  he  wore,  and  leave  them  in  the 
grave.  But  brother  Marks  will  not  be  there.  No,  there  is  no  dark, 
cold,  damp  grave  to  him,  but,  bathed  in  the  sunlight  of  i  eavcn,  he  walks 
the  golden  streets,  and  gazes  upon  the  ineflable  and  unsullied  glories 
that  surround  him  forever.  What  a  contrast !  A  few  days  ago  we 
saw  him  dragging  about,  with  a  body  crushed  and  broken,  racked  with 
pain,  and  limbs  swollen  and  heavy  with  dropsy,  but  with  a  soul  all  fresh 
and  energizing  almost  to  a  miracle  in  so  poor  a  body.  But  now,  could 
we  draw  aside  the  veil,  and  behold  him  lost  in  wonder  and  admiration, 
standing  in  the  effulgence  of  heaven's  glories,  and  surveying  the  unut- 
terable wonders  of  his  Savior,  and  of  his  palace  with  its  myriads  of 
mansions  for  his  saints,  we  should  rejoice  to  leave  him  there,  and  have 
no  wish  to  bring  him  back  again  to  earth. 

It  may  have  been  supposed  by  his  people  at  x  distance  from  us,  that 
since  he  came  here  he  has  relinquished  his  preaching  too  much,  and  giv- 
en himself  up  too  much  to  study  ;  but  in  this,  if  such  has  been  their 
view,  they  are  mistaken.  He  has  by  no  means  relinquished  his  labors 
among  the  churches  faster  than  he  was  compelled  to  by  his  waning 
strength.  His  labors  abroad  a  part  of  the  time,  have  been  very  great, 
particularly  in  assisting  in  getting  into  operation  a  high  school  at  Ches- 
ter, Geauga  Co.  Ohio.  It  seemed  to  be  his  meat  and  drink  to  labor  in 
the  gospel.  Few  men  can  say  with  more  truth  than  he,  "  The  zeal  of 
thine  house  hath  eaten  me  up."  It  had  eaten  up  the  very  energies  of 
life  from  his  system. 

[  Professor  Finney  here  read  much  of  the  memoranda  of  his 
conversation  during  the  last  days  of  his  life.] 

Brother  Marks  said  to  me  during  his  sickness,  that  he  wanted  the 
ministers  in  his  connexion  to  hold  up  sanctification,  and  to  live  it, 
to  live  it  forth  in  all  their  daily  life.  I  long,  said  he,  to  go  among 
them,  and  urge  upon  them  this  great  duty  and  responsibility,  but  if 
I  may  not  have  strenfjth  to  do  it,  I  hope  you  will  do  it  by  your  preach- 
ing in  my  stead. 

As  I  visited  him  every  day,  I  continually  observed  that  he  seemed  to 
rejoice  in  every  fresh  symptom  of  approaching  death.  Especially  was 
this  manifest  when  his  stomach  failed  so  that  he  could  not  receive  and 
digest  food.  This  was  a  glorious  signal  that  the  time  drew  near  when 
he  might  go  home.  His  wife  at  one  time  remarked  to  him — '*  You  ap- 
pear so  little  changed  in  your  state  of  mind  from  what  I  have  usually 
seen  you,  that  I  cannot  realize  that  you  are  so  near  your  end."  He  re- 
plied— Why  should  I  appear  changed  before  dying  1  Ever  since  you 
have  known  me,  I  have  lived  in  the  near  view  of  death,  ready  each  day 
to  depart  and  be  with  Christ. 

When  he  found  that  he  could  no  more  write  his  own  name,  his  soul 
seemed  to  be  in  ecstacy.  Not  one  of  his  friends  around  him  could  re- 
frain from  tears,   but  his  soul  seemed  to  be  radiant  with  the  glories  of 


1 


DAVID    MARKS. 


473 


heaven.  He  felt  the  Christian's  hope  to  be  the  most  substantial  reality 
that  can  be  known  on  earth.  O,  it  has  been  a  luxury  for  me  and  many 
other  friends  to  see  him  day  after  day  triumpbin}?  over  death,  and  show- 
ing how  easy  a  man  may  die,  if  ho  has  only  lived  right.  Then  he  lias 
nothing  to  do  hut  to  wait  in  patient  hope  till  the  hour  of  release  shall 
come.  So  died  our  departed  brother.  "  Mark  the  perfect  man  and  be- 
hold the  upright :  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace." 

Professor  Finney,  at  the  close  of  his  sermon,  said, — 

"  I  wish  to  commend  sister  Marks  to  your  sympathies.  Few  women 
ever  met  with  such  a  loss,  for  few  women  ever  had  such  a  husband  to 
lose." 

The  coffin  was  opened  beneath  the  pulpit,  and  while  the  congre- 
gation was  passi:.j^  around  to  take  the  last  look  of  his  countenance, 
joyful  even  in  death,  it  was  said  that  Professor  Finney  gazed  al- 
most constantly  upon  it,  and  remarked  to  those  standing  near  him : 
"  Did  you  ever  see  such  a  corpse  ?  What  a  countenance  !  How 
lovely !  How  smiling !  How  easy  it  is  to  die  right,  if  we  live 
right."  The  coffin  was  closed,  and  his  body  was  then  borne  to  ils 
last  quiet  resting  place. 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  kindness  and  attention  of  the  people  of 
Oberlin  during  his  last  illness.  It  seemed  as  if  every  individual  in 
the  village,  from  the  members  of  the  college  faculty  to  the  poor 
colored  man,  delighted  to  show  him  kindness.  For  about  four  weeks 
previous  to  his  death,  he  had  four  men  as  watchers  by  night  and 
two  by  day,  besides  considerable  female  assistance.  A  committee 
was  appointed  to  procure  these  attendants,  so  as  to  have  no  failure, 
and  to  relieve  his  famil}  rom  care  on  this  point.  Professor  Fin- 
ney called  almost  invar-  .bly  twice,  and  sometimes  three  times,  a 
day.  Mr.  Marks  was  greatly  affected  by  this  kindness,  and  in  the 
full  gushings  of  his  heart,  \mu\d  say,  "  O  how  much  more  than  a 
cup  of  cold  water  is  this."  The  notice  of  his  death,  accompanied 
by  the  funeral  sermon  and  extracts  from  the  memoranda  of  his  last 
conversations,  was  first  thus  announced  in  the  Oberlin  Evangelist, 
in  an  article  prefatory  to  the  sermon  : 

'*  Elder  David  Marks,  whose  recent  death  a  ,  ;  us  gave  occasion  to 
the  following  sermon,  had  greatly  endeared  bin.  jif  to  us  by  his  unas- 
suming and  great  piety — by  his  beautiful  simplicity  of  character,  and  by 
his  intense  industry  and  devotion  in  his  Master's  cause.  His  last  days 
were  a  most  glorious  triumph  of  Christian  faith." 

Subsequently,  his  death  was  announced  in  the  Morning  Star, 
which  was  clad  in  mourning.  The  article  in  the  Star  contained  the 
following : 

"  Brother  Marks  had  long  occupied  a  prominent  position  in  our  de- 
nomination, and  exerted  an  extensive  and  salutary  influence,  and  in  his 
death  we  have  suffered  a  great  loss.  He  had  been  one  of  the  assistant 
editors  of  the  Star  for  nearly  twelve  years,  and  his  contributions  have 
40* 


>'r  * 


474 


MEMOIRS    OP 


added  much  to  its  usefulness  and  intorest.  Who  will  fill  the  vacanc7 
Nvliieh  his  removal  has  left  ill  our  Zion  ?  'Help,  Lord;  for  the  godly 
mail  coaseth  ;    for  the  faithful  fail  from  among  tlie  children  of  men.'  " 

The  funeral  sermon,  memoranda  of  his  conversation,  his  farewell 
address  to  his  brethren,  and  his  last  address  in  Oberlin  chapel, 
were  also  published  in  the  same  number  of  the  Star,  and  were  read 
with  the  greatest  avidity.     The  addresses  were  as  follows : 

ELDER  DAVID  MARKS' 

Farciocll  Address  to  the  Free-will  Baptists  and  the  world,  written 
from  his  mouth  in  short  hand,  Oberlin,  Ohio,  Nor.  Gth. 

BY    CHARLES    PKNFIELD,    STENOGRAPHER. 

Believing  my  work  tx)  be  about  done  on  earth,  and  being  about 
ready  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ,  I  desire  to  say  a  few  words  to 
my  brethren,  old  friends,  and  the  world,  and  being  unable  to  write, 
I  have  sent  for  a  stenogmpher  to  report  from  my  mouth. 

In  times  past  I  have  looked  upon  death  with  a  great  natural 
dread ;  and  although  I  then  knew  that  I  had  not  neetl  of  dying 
grace,  I  could  not  understand  how  I  should  be  able  to  meet  it  with 
composure ;  but,  as  I  approach  the  dark  valley,  Glory  to  God !  I 
can  say  with  tlie  Psalmist,  "  Though  I  walk  through  the  valley  and 
shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil,  for  thou  art  with  me."  The 
hope  of  the  Christian,  instead  of  being  deceptive  or  failing  as  the 
trying  hour  approaches,  I  find  becomes  stronger  and  stronger,  like 
an  anchor  to  the  soul  sure  and  steadfast ;  and  the  evidences  of 
the  truth  of  the  Christian  religion,  instead  of  growing  dim,  bright- 
en as  the  curtain  begins  to  drop.  Unlike  the  hope  of  the  infidel 
that  deserts  him,  and  is  like  a  spider's  web  in  the  giving  up  of  the 
gliost,  every  circumstance,  as  this  world  recedes  and  the  next  heaves 
in  view,  serves  but  to  confirm  the  blessed  truth,  that  man  was  made 
to  be  religious.  It  is  with  the  sweetest  delight  now  when  I  expect 
to  preach  no  more  that  I  review  the  evidences  of  the  Christian  relig- 
ion, and  to  me  it  seems  strange,  how  a  sane  mind  can  examine  even 
the  external  evidences  of  Christianity,  and  not  yield  assent  to  their 
truth ;  and  I  would  seriously  put  the  question  to  the  infidel  philos- 
opher, how  it  was  possible  for  sixty  and  six  such  books  as  compose 
the  Bible  to  have  been  written  in  different  ages  and  by  something 
like  forty  different  authors  of  every  variety  of  rank,  from  the  phi- 
losopher to  the  shepherd,  from  the  man  of  wealth  to  the  peasant, 
from  the  king  on  his  throne  to  individuals  in  the  humblest  sphere 
of  life,  with  no  possible  combination  with  each  other,  or  concert  at 
deception,  and  yet  the  material  facts  in  these  books  being  such  as 
they  are,  be  a  forgery  or  untrue  ?  For  example,  who  can  believe 
that  it  was  possible  for  any  impostor  to  make  the  whole  nation  of 


r    IT 


DAVID    MARKS. 


»g 


I 


Isrnol  believe,  without  the  exception  of  an  individual,  tliaf  tlit>   re- 
volting   and  niystt^'ious  rite  of   circunu'ision  was  di\int'ly  insti- 
tuted, unle.«"  the  re  iarkahlc  facts  connected  with  the  origin  of  that 
rite  were    usolutely  undeniable?     What  sane  mind,  free  from  t lie 
bias  of  prejudice,  can  seriously  believe  that  a  whole  nation  wtw 
persuaded  without  a  dissenting  voice  to  believe  tluit  they  parsed 
through  the  Red  Sea  miraculously,  and  to  yield  obedience  to  a  bur- 
densome system  of  taxation  and  religion,  had  not  this  miracle  been 
most  clearly  undeniable  ?     Nor  are  the  facts  recorded  in  the  New 
Testament  less  conclusive  in  their  authority  as  to  its  divine  authen- 
ticity.    For  example,  such  was  the  inimical  feeling  of  the  whole 
nation  of  the  Jews  against  Jesus   Christ,  so  jealous  were  they  of 
the  introduction  of  any  new  religion  in  circumstances  at  all  plausi- 
ble for  its  success,  that  no  pains  could  have  been  spared  to  expose 
every  possible  imposture.     The  Christian  church  at  its  very  com- 
mencement was  based  on  the  testimony  of  the  evangelists,  and  of 
course  the  great  facts  of  their  testimony  were  familiar  to   e\  cry 
professed  Christian,  and  equally  open  to  the  investigation  of  their 
enemies,  both  Jews  and  Pagans.     How,  then,  is  it  possible,  that  it 
could  then  have  been  published  that  five  thousand  were  fed  by 
Christ  miraculously  in  a  wilderness  place,  where  several  tons  of 
provisions  must  have  been  used — and  the  imposture,  if  it  was  one, 
not  have  been  detected  ?     Again,  if  the  facts  related  in  the  case  of 
Lazarus  being  raised  from  the  dead  were  not  true,  how  is  it  possible 
that  there  should  not  have  been  some  one  in  the  two  millions  of  the 
nation  that  assembled  at  the  yearly  feast,  to  disprove  the  history  in 
the  case,  and  thus  arrest  the  preaching  of  Christianity  ?     Again^, 
if  the  vail  of  the  temple  was  not  rent,  and  darkness  did  not  cover 
the  face  of  the  whole  earth  from  twelve  to  three  in  the  afternoon, 
how  is  it  possible  that  the  Christian  church  should  make  myriads 
of  converts,  including  many  of  the  most  philosophic  minds,  in  the 
very  vicinity  where  every  person  must  have  known  that  these  prin- 
cipal facts  on  which  Christianity  was  based  were  absolutely  false  ? 
Again,  what  possible  motive  could  the  twelve  apostles  have  had  to 
sacrifice  every  worldly  prospect,  and  every  possible  selfish  aggran- 
dizement, to  testify  that  they  had  seen  Jesus  Christ  raised  from  the 
dead ;  and  had  witnessed  the  prints  of  the  nails  in  his  hands  and  in 
his  feet  ?     What  could  possibly  have  induced  them  in  defence  of 
this  testimony  to  suffer  the  loss  of  all  tilings  and  crucifixion  at 
last,  unless  they  had  known  these  facts  to  be  true,  and  by  them  have 
been  supported  in  the  full  assurance  of  eternal  life  ? 

Nor  are  the  internal  evidences  of  the  divinity  of  the  Christian's 
hope  less  conclusive.  An  intimate  acquaintance  with  man  shows 
clearly  that  such  is  the  structure  of  his  mind,  that  no  earthly  or 
scientific  acquirements  can  satisfy  it  or  fill  its  capacities.     Though 


Nif 


'(:,'' 


if 


t 


47G 


MKMOIRS    OP 


it  «?nHp  wpaltli,  learning,  power,  boyoml  all  liinit.s  it  U  still  like 
the  tron!)l(M|  sea  that  cannot  rest,  andtliesonl  in^itinctively  incpurcji, 
"Who  will  show  us  any  good?"  Hut  Christianity  is  as  really 
adapted  to  the  wants  of  man's  intellect,  to  satisfy  his  mental  capac- 
ities, as  natural  food  and  drink  are  adapted  to  the  natural  nt-eessi- 
ties  of  the  body.  Hut  to  the  soul  that  does  not  know  God  by  ex- 
perience, the  nature  and  strength  of  the  internal  evidences  of 
Cliristianity  are  unknown.  The  natural  man  receiveth  not  the 
things  of  the  Si)irit  of  God,  neither  can  he  know  them,  because 
they  are  spiritually  discerned."  And  here  is  the  glory  and  beauty 
of  Christianity.  It  docs  not  require  the  multitude  of  its  disciples 
to  become  scholars  and  philosophers,  in  order  to  understand  and 
appreciate  the  weight  of  its  evidences.  The  little  child,  the  illiter- 
ate, aged  peasant  that  never  learned  to  read,  can  have  the  holy 
anointing  that  teaches  them  all  things — how  to  live  and  how  to  die, 
with  far  more  consistency,  composure  and  joy,  than  is  obtained  by 
the  wise  men  of  this  world. 

Now,  when  the  strength  of  my  nervous  system  is  exhausted,  and 
by  physicians  and  friends,  I  am  admonished  not  to  study  or  think 
laboriously  on  any  subject,  O  how  sweet  it  is  to  feel  the  divine  wit- 
ness within  my  soul  that  God  dwells  within  me,  and  to  feel  that 
there  is  not  a  dimming  veil  between  me  and  heaven.  As  I  ap- 
proach the  dark  valley,  my  hope  grows  sweeter  and  sweeter,  my 
confidence  still  more  firm,  and  there  is  a  divine  reality  that  is  the 
farthest  possible  removed  from  the  effect  of  imagination,  excitement, 
or  fanaticism.  It  scarcely  seems  to  me  like  a  mere  hope.  There 
is  an  assurance — a  philosophical,  a  rational,  a  soul-felt,  a  divine  as- 
surance, that  I  am  but  about  to  exchange  the  numerous  and  dearly 
beloved  friends  with  whom  I  have  formed  an  acquaintance  within 
twenty-five  years,  for  other  friends  in  a  happier  clime,  and  that 
from  these  loved  ones  here,  I  shall  be  separated  but  for  a  little 
while,  only  to  renew  the  union  in  circumstances  where  our  joy  will 
never  be  damped.  When  I  commenced  my  ministry,  I  had  a 
constitution  of  the  strongest  and  firmest  kind.  Often  have  I  rode 
thirty  or  forty  miles  in  the  sleet  rains  of  winter,  without  an  over- 
coat, without  a  dry  thread  upon  me,  and  without  taking  a  morsel 
of  food,  and  felt  not  the  slightest  inconvenience.  As  I  commenced 
preaching  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  the  novelty  of  my  boyhood  often 
attracted  large  assemblies,  which  no  house  in  their  vicinity  could 
accommodate  ;  consequently,  from  the  age  of  fifteen  to  twenty-one, 
while  my  lungs  were  growing,  I  was  constantly  accustomed  to 
speaking  in  the  open  air  in  the  wind  and  sometimes  in  the  rain,  so 
that  my  lungs  obtained  a  firmness  probably  exceeeding  that  of 
most  men  that  have  ever  lived.  Consequently,  as  ray  voice  was 
strong  and  rarely  ever  was  fatigued  by  use,  the  demand  for  its  use 


DAVID    MARKS. 


477 


vas  very  gn>at ;  and  oft-tiinos  I  spoke  from  lliroe  to  sovon  lioiirs  a 
day  tor  weeks  and  niontlis  in  snoccssion.  This  circunistaiuf.  (tlio 
ummtnral  d«3vt'loi)t'nient  or  strength  of  my  lun;;s,)  has  prohably 
b<'(.Mi  the  cause  of  my  overlooking;  the  fact  that  my  nervous  flvsteni 
had  not  equal  strength.  Thus  I  have  used  my  voice  almost  inces- 
santly, until  the  nervous  system  has  heconu!  wrecked,  the  vital  en- 
ergies expended,  and  at  the  age  of  forty,  I  have  the  infirmities  of 
one  of  ninety. 

During  th(i  first  ten  years  of  my  labors  in  the  ministry,  my  prin- 
ciples did  not  allow  me  to  preach  on  contracts,  or  receive  any  thing 
that  could  hear  any  semblance  to  a  salary,  and  rarely  ever  did  I  re- 
ceive a  public  collection.  In  this  time,  my  travels  were  extended  from 
the  Ohio  river  to  the  Penobscot,  amounting  to  42,3'>3  miles,  and 
during  the  same  time  I  attended  3481)  meetings,  and  most  of  these 
lal>ors  were  in  new  sections  of  the  country  and  among  destitute 
churches.  I  supported  myself  mainly  by  extra  labor  and  exertion, 
such  as  teaching  school,  and  publishing  and  selling  books. 

One  result  of  the  acquaintance  thus  formed  with  my  beloved 
connexion  in  these  labors,  was,  the  conviction  that  unless  some 
powerful  instrumentalities  should  be  introduced  to  perpetuate  the 
ardent  piety  and  intelligence  of  the  early  ministers  imd  fathers  of 
our  denomination,  a  horrible  backsliding  would  ensue,  and  the  salt 
would  loose  its  savor.  The  little  value  that  the  fathers  of  the  de- 
nomination had  attached  to  mere  human  learning,  or  to  an  unsunc- 
tijied  education,  had  been  misunderstood  by  many  of  our  members, 
and  emboldened  them  to  despise  all  human  learning.  Yet  I  ob- 
served that  often  their  children  would  read  and  study  and  keep 
pace  with  the  intelligence  of  the  age,  consequently,  their  parents, 
with  their  views  of  learning,  ceased  to  exert  much  religious  influ- 
ence over  the  rising  generation.  A  large  number  of  our  young 
people  were  accustomed  to  a  course  of  reading  and  educational  in- 
fluences, which,  in  my  judgment,  only  tended  on  many  points  to 
turn  them  away  from  important  truths.  Indeed,  I  was  pained  to 
observe,  that  very  considerable  numbers  of  them  were  inclined  to 
be  sceptical,  if  not  absolute  infidels.  These  lacts  weighed  like  a 
mountain's  weight  on  my  soul,  and  I  felt  that  to  perpetuate  the  ex- 
cellent influences  commenced  by  Randall  and  his  successors,  some- 
thing must  be  done.  At  length,  I  became  satisfied  that  no  one 
measure  could  be  introduced  to  our  denomination  to  remedy  the 
evil  with  more  prospect  of  success  than  the  establishment  of  a 
Book  Concern,  as  the  property  of  the  denomination,  to  be  under 
the  control  of  its  best  men.  Thus  might  the  press  speak  out  evan- 
gelical truth  with  a  voice  long,  loud,  and  free,  unsliackled  by  per- 
sonal interest,  and  unawed  by  popular  favor  or  frown,  and  God  so 
baptized  my  soul  into  the  spirit  of  the  freedom  of  an  evangelical 


I  f 


li 


478 


HEUOmS   OF 


press,  that  I  felt  as  though,  if  it  were  necessary,  I  would  lay  down 
even  my  life  to  establish  such  a  press.  Consequently,  under  the 
appointment  of  our  General  Conference,  I  consented  to  take  the 
responsibility  of  General  Agent  for  four  years,  in  which  time  I  be- 
came responsible  for  expenses  and  debts  contracted  in  raising  the 
Establishment  to  the  amount  of  twenty  thousand  dollars. 

Several  thousand  dollars  of  these  debts  were  in  the  form  of 
bank  notes  in  the  Boston  banks,  which  became  due  during  the  fear- 
ful times  which  followed  the  general  bank  suspension.  The  estab- 
lishment being  in  its  infancy,  and  the  borrowing  of  adequate  sums 
being  impossible,  but  two  alternatives  were  presented — a  failure, 
the  dashing  of  the  whole  establishment,  the  bankruptcy  of  '■^vself 
and  several  undersigners — or  a  desperate  personal  effort  oa  my 
part  to  raise  the  funds  by  the  sale  of  books.  In  these  circumstan- 
ces, with  the  most  intense  interest,  I  sat  down  with  my  dear  com- 
panion to  count  the  cost.  If  I  exerted  my  strength  day  and  night 
to  the  utmost  of  my  power  with  her  aid,  in  the  course  of  a  few 
years  we  might  possibly  succeed  in  meeting  the  necessary  payments. 
But  the  severity  of  the  New  England  winters,  especially  in  Ver- 
mont, New  Hampshire,  and  Maine,  might  render  the  filling  of  suc- 
cessive appointments,  (made  in  the  closest  connection  without  ref- 
erence to  travelling  or  weather,)  to  supply  our  churches  with  books, 
receiving  cash  in  hand — a  most  fearful  task  !  The  result  of  these 
appointments  was  the  collection  of  thousands  of  dollars  which  could 
not  have  been  raised  otherwise.  But  sometimes  ^  was  compelled 
to  travel  nearly  whole  nights  in  the  severest  weatl  )t,  and  often  to 
allow  myself  but  two  or  three  hours  sleep  in  twent  -four,  for  days 
in  succession,  and  the  result  was  four  severe  fits  of  ^  "jkness,  which 
broke  down  my  constitution  and  I  have  not  seen  a  v  11  day  since. 
The  vital  principle  has  seemed  to  be  disappearing  .  equal  ratio, 
for  the  ten  years  that  have  since  elapsed. 

In  speaking  of  these  things,  I  am  obliged  to  sa}  ike  Paul,  "  I 
speak  as  a  fool."  My  object,  however,  is  to  bear  ,  ^tiraony  that 
the  satisfaction  I  have  enjoyed  since  I  have  been  ?  id  aside,  and 
still  enjoy  in  the  uncompromising  testimony  of  that  ^yok  Estab- 
lishment against  intemperance,  licentiousness,  and  slavery,  and  in 
favor  of  all  the  benevolent  institutions  which  God  in  his  providence 
has  appointed  to  be  the  nurseries  of  the  church,  infinitely  exceeds 
the  pleasure  I  could  derive  from  the  firmest  health  and  the  pros- 
pect of  yet  preaching  many  years.  And  though  I  am  now  poor, 
and  living  on  the  kindness  of  friends,  and  my  feeble  wife,  after 
sacrificing  all  selfish  interests,  and  bending  all  her  energies  for 
these  sixteen  years  to  aid  me  in  the  services  of  the  ministry,  is 
about  to  be  left  destitute,  still  there  is  a  sweetness  of  hope,  and  sat- 
isfaction in  reviewing  the  past,  which  I  am  confident,  thai  no  mi- 


DAVID   MARKS. 


470 


own 
the 
the 
be- 
the 


f' 


ser  nor  person  that  has  laid  up  money  for  himself  in  this  world,  can 
enjoy  in  view  of  approaching  death.  And,  although  we  have  ex- 
perienced some  inconveniences  from  poverty,  yet  it  has  been  noth- 
ing compared  to  the  poverty  endured  by  prophets,  apostles,  and  Je- 
sus Christ.  God  has  usually  judged  it  best  to  give  the  things  of 
this  life  to  his  children  with  a  sparing  hand.  Nor  is  there  blame 
to  be  attached  to  my  brethren  for  our  wants  not  having  been  more 
fully  supplied,  since  had  we  judged  it  best  to  inform  our  friends  of 
the  extent  of  our  necessities,  they  would  undoubtedly  have  reliev- 
ed us. 

There  is,  I  am  confident,  a  very  serious  danger  attending  our 
Book  Establishment,  against  which  I  wish  to  raise  my  dying,  warn- 
ing voice.  It  is  an  inclination  on  the  part  of  brethren  and  minis- 
ters to  feel  that  the  Book  Establishment  is  well  off  and  safe.  I 
have  watched  this  danger  for  years,  and  am  convinced  that  it  is 
serious  and  not  easy  to  be  removed.  The  disposition  to  delay  pay- 
ments for  the  Star,  to  take  books  on  commission,  and  use  the  mon- 
ey in  case  of  exigency,  is  swelling  the  debts  of  the  Establishment 
to  an  alarming  extent,  and  unless  brethren  cease  to  take  the  leni- 
ty they  have,  unless  the  agents  generally  are  more  prompt  and 
thorough  in  their  collections,  I  consider  the  failure  of  the  Estab- 
lishment as  almost  certain.  But,  my  dear  brethren,  I  beseech  you 
to  do  all  you  can  to  avert  such  a  calamity. 

As  to  my  sentiments,  they  have  undergone  no  material  change. 
I  die  a  Free-will  Baptist,  but  I  trust  free  from  sectarianism.  The 
freedom  of  the  human  will,  a  distinctive  sentiment  of  our  con- 
nexion, I  am  more  than  ever  convinced  is  the  true  doctrine  of  sound 
philosophy  and  of  the  Bible.  Nor  is  a  little  importance  to  be  at- 
tached to  this  distinctive  sentiment.  It  lies  at  the  foundation  not 
only  of  all  evangelical  Christianity,  but  is  the  only  sure  basis  of  re- 
ligion itself.  If  God  is  a  self-determining  being,  and  made  man 
in  his  own  image,  man  is  a  self-determining  being,  and,  as  such,  is 
responsible,  and  the  subject  of  moral  government. 

Another  distinctive  sentiment  of  our  denomination,  which  is 
doubly  dear  to  my  heart,  as  I  am  about  to  depart  to  the  spirit-land, 
is,  that  genuine  evangelical  faith  in  Christ  is  the  only  bond  of 
Christian  fellowship — in  other  words,  that  Christians  of  whatever 
sect  are  one,  and  that  we  cannot  carry  out  the  principles  of  our  re- 
ligion, as  Free-will  Baptists,  without  seeking  to  promote  the  inter- 
ests of  all  evangelical  churches. 

As  to  another  distinctive  sentiment  of  Free-will  Baptists,  bap- 
tism, or  the  immersion  of  believers,  I  think  it  duty  to  say,  that  I 
fear  that  Baptists,  as  well  as  Pedo-Baptists,  have  overlooked  or 
lost  sight  of  the  true  meaning  of  baptism.  As  in  case  of  pouring 
or  sprinkling,  the  true  idea  designed  by  the  Holy  Ghost  is  lost  sight 


.in 


'  ■  j  ' 


I  fc 


\ ' 


r. 


J 


480 


MEMOIRS    OF 


of,  SO  those  Baptists  that  deny  the  doctrine  of  entire  sanctification 
and  salvation  from  all  sin,  have  equally  lost  the  meaning  of  the 
rite.  For,  as  in  the  primitive  baptism  there  was  a  death  and  a 
resurrection,  it  is  evident  to  me  that  by  the  rite  God  designed  the 
convert  to  say  to  the  world,  that  he  is  dead  to  all  his  former  sel- 
fishness, and  alive  to  every  obligation  of  Christianity.  Hence  it 
seems  to  me  that  the  rite  of  baptism,  as  practiced  by  Baptists  or 
Pedo-Baptists,  is  of  little  use,  unless  the  original  design  signified 
alone  by  the  manner  (which  was  an  immersion  and  emersion)  is 
kept  in  view.  Hence  the  original  rite,  in  its  manner,  should  be 
meekly  contended  for  and  practiced  with  sole  reference  to  the  bless- 
ed and  holy  doctrine  of  death  to  all  selfishness  and  life  to  all  right- 
eousness. 

Another  distinctive  sentiment  of  Free-will  Baptists,  contended 
eaniestly  for  by  our  fathers,  is,  that  all  religion  without  the  bap- 
tism of  the  Spirit,  the  holy  anointing,  is  vain.  From  this  senti- 
ment^ I  feel  there  has  been  a  practical  and  horrible  backsliding. 
As  a  tree  soon  becomes  old  and  dies,  there  seems  to  be  a  fearful 
propensity  in  all  organizations  to  lose  the  innocence  and  purity  of 
their  infancy.  O  my  brethren,  I  beseech  you  carefully  and  pray- 
erfully to  avoid  the  spirit  of  backsliding  in  this  respect.  Some  of 
our  good  aged  men  have  had  serious  fears  that  the  introduction  of 
seminaries  to  the  patronage  of  our  denomination,  would  lead  to  a 
departure  from  dependence  on  the  influences  of  the  Spirit ;  and  in- 
cline our  ministers  and  members  to  trust  in  the  wisdom  of  this 
world.  This  fear  should  not  be  treated  with  contempt ;  but,  on 
the  other  hand,  the  fact  must  not  be  overlooked  that  men  will  be 
educated,  that  the  sciences  will  be  studied,  and  that  they  will  exert 
a  vast  influence ;  and  the  only  question  to  be  settled  by  intelligent 
Christians  is,  shall  the  schools  be  under  a  selfish  influence,  or  a  di- 
vine influence  ?  Shall  the  truths  of  science  be  taught  for  God,  and 
subservient  to  a  Holy  Ghost  religion,  and  an  humble  Christianity, 
or  shall  they  be  taught  by  selfish  men  in  such  a  manner  as  to  de- 
velope  and  cultivate  all  the  selfishness  of  fallen  nature  ?  In  other 
words,  shall  the  truths  of  science  be  made  subservient  to  make  the 
scholar  like  God,  the  author  of  all  truth,  or  like  the  devil,  who  is  a 
prodigy  of  intellect,  Avithout  moral  principle  ?  In  my  opinion,  were 
Scripture  views  held  by  the  church  universally,  and  carried  out 
with  relation  to  the  subject  of  education,  the  whole  world  would  be 
converted  in  less  than  ten  years.  Literary  aristocracy  would  be 
unknown,  academies  and  colleges  would  be  fields  of  perpetual  revi- 
vals, and  from  these  purified  fountains  a  wave  of  salvation  would 
sweep  away  every  strong-hold  of  the  devil,  and  fill  the  whole  earth 
with  righteousness. 


DAVID   MARKS. 


481 


at  ion 
tlie 

mil  a 

(1  the 
sel- 

ice  it 


For  twenty  years  past,  I  have  kept  debt  and  credit  as  to  my 
time,  and  accustomed  myself  to  such  diligence  that  rest  has  for 
years  been  a  burden  to  me,  except  when  exhausted  nature  has  cried 
out  for  it.  In  thus  closely  taxing  myself,  I  have  lived  out  life  while 
yet  in  my  prime.  Yet  even  from  this  I  have  learned  one  blessed 
truth,  namely,  that  the  soul  when  fully  trained  for  the  great  work 
of  the  spirit-land,  where  sleep  will  not  be  needed,  will  have  a  love 
for  labor  that  language  can  scarcely  describe.  Since  I  have  been 
confined  by  sickness,  my  thoughts  have  glanced  like  lightning  over 
the  immense  fields  for  Christian  labor,  and  I  have  viewed  with 
ecstacy  the  facilities  which  God  has  introduced  to  concentrate  and 
make  effective  the  labors  of  the  church.  Why  did  God  confound 
human  language  at  Babel,  and  by  more  than  one  hundred  dialects 
split  the  human  family  asunder?  Why  did  he,  by  seas  and  moun- 
tains, lakes  and  rivers,  cut  up  the  whole  face  of  the  earth  by  barri- 
ers to  separate  the  human  family  ?  Surely,  because  he  saw  the 
selfishness  of  man  would  only  use  language  and  unbroken  ^ter- 
course  to  form  monopolies,  which  would  effect  their  own  ruin. 
Why  for  more  than  4000  years  was  the  gift  of  tongues  withholden 
from  the  church  ?  Why  for  5500  years  was  the  use  of  the  compass 
and  the  art  of  printing  withholden  from  the  world,  and  America, 
the  most  fruitful  soil  on  the  globe,  unknown  to  the  world  ?  Why 
was  the  application  of  steam,  as  now  used  in  steam-boats,  and  on 
rail-roads,  and  in  numerous  other  ways,  kept  back  for  5800  years  ? 
Surely,  because  Grod  saw  that  the  principles  of  his  kingdom  had  not 
become  sufficiently  established  to  make  these  inventions  and  discov- 
eries turn  on  the  whole  to  the  production  of  a  greater  amount  of 
good  than  of  evil.  But  as  soon  as  he  saw  principle,  activity,  and 
self-denial  enough  in  the  church,  to  make  these  discoveries  on  the 
whole  subservient  to  his  kingdom,  in  his  providence  they  were  in- 
troduced, and  now  the  battle  is  coming  between  the  two  kingdoms. 
The  time  for  the  shaking  of  the  heavens  and  earth  has  come.  The 
whitening  fields  invite  the  attention  of  every  lover  of  man,  and  ev- 
ery angel  looks  on  with  the  deepest  interest  The  nurseries  of  the 
church  are  to  be  cultivated,  such  as  Sabbath  schools,  Bible  classes, 
Temperance,  Mission,  Moral  Reform,  the  Tract,  Bible,  and  Anti- 
slavery  societies ;  and  while  idolatry  trembles  on  its  throne,  and 
the  merchant-men  of  Babylon  stand  aghast,  a  mighty  host  of  sanc- 
tified intellects  are  to  go  forth  into  all  parts  of  the  field,  and  labor 
until  righteousness  covers  the  whole  earth.  In  the  accomplish- 
ment of  this  work,  no  Christian  has  a  right  to  feel  little  responsi- 
bility. Every  man,  woman,  and  child,  that  indulges  hope  of  heav- 
en, is  under  the  most  solemn  obligation  to  make  the  removal  of 
every  curse  that  sin  has  entailed  on  the  world,  and  the  extension 
of  universal  righteousness,  the  main,  yes,  the  whole  business  of 
41 


f 


482 


MEMOIRS    OF 


their  lives.  Every  Christian  should  form  the  habit  of  having  no 
work,  wish,  or  will,  except  for  God.  Habits,  as  to  food,  drink, 
dress,  and  amusements,  should  only  be  formed,  with  express  refer- 
ence to  glorifying  God.  The  education  of  children,  the  purchase 
of  furniture,  the  size  and  expense  of  buildings,  the  arrangement  of 
grounds  and  yards,  the  size  of  farms,  all  the  investments  of  proper- 
ty, should  be  made  without  any  reference  to  one's  individual  choice, 
taste,  or  inclination,  except  so  far  as  the  judgment  directs  that  the 
will  of  God  requires  conformity  to  this.  In  other  words,  the  Chris- 
tian has  no  right  to  live  to  himself.  The  one  and  soul-absorbing 
object  of  his  whole  life  should  be  to  know  in  what  manner  he  can 
best  glorify  God,  by  removing  the  greatest  amount  of  evil  from  the 
earth,  and  introducing  the  greatest  possible  amount  of  righteousness 
in  its  place. 

And,  finally,  my  brethren,  in  conclusion,  I  entreat  you,  in  the 
name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  view  of  the  glory  that  is  to  be 
rey^led  at  his  appearing,  to  concentrate  all  the  energies  of  your 
b<eti!^,  to  introduce,  spread,  and  perpetuate  pure  primitive  Chris- 
tianity. 

My  dear  brethren  in  the  ministry,  remember  that  your  calling 
is  not  only  the  most  important,  but  the  most  honorable.  To  be 
embassadors  for  the  great  God,  and  to  negotiate  for  immortal  in- 
terests, is  truly  the  highest  work  to  which  mortals  can  aspire.  Let 
no  difficulties,  poverty,  or  reproaches,  dishearten  you ;  but  save  all 
the  souls  you  can.  Let  your  testimony  be  a  pure  one,  unawed  by 
any  and  every  selfish  combination  that  can  arise  against  you,  and 
a  rich  reward  will  lie  before  you. 

Remember  the  poor,  down-trodden,  suffering  blave,  to  whom  the 
lamp  of  life  is  denied — ^that  lamp  which  so  gloriously  gilds  my 
pathway  to  the  tomb.  Bear  an  uncompromising  testimony  against 
that  horrid  system  that  chattelizes  the  image  of  God.  O  my 
brethren,  "  Remember  those  that  are  in  bonds  as  bound  with  them." 
What  a  command  is  this  !     Will  you  obey  it  ? 

My  testimony  against  secret  societies,  such  as  Masonry,  Odd 
Fellowship,  Rechabites,  &c.,  you  have  already  had;  but,  dear 
brethren,  I  cannot  forbear  repeating,  in  this  my  dying  hour,  "  Be- 
ware of  secret  societies."  Let  not  your  honor  be  united  to  them. 
Remember  that  to  you,  in  a  great  measure,  is  committed  the  puri- 
ty of  our  churches.  Ministers  of  Jesus  Chript  have  nothing  to  do 
with  such  societies,  except  to  expose  their  hollow  pretensions,  and 
guard  the  sheep  from  their  devouring  jaws. 

To  those  who  have  ministered  to  my  necessities,  and  of  whose 
hospitality  I  have  been  partaker  within  the  twenty-five  years  past, 
I  give  thanks,  hoping  you  will  find  mercy  in  the  day  of  the  Lord 
Jesus. 


n^- 


DAVID   MARKS. 


4SB 


?ness 


and 


'  And  finally,  brethren,  Farewell !  be  perfect,  be  of  good  com- 
fort, be  of  one  mind,  live  in  peace,  and  tlie  God  of  love  and  peace 
shall  be  with  you.'  The  whole  family  of  God  will  soon  be  gather- 
ed together.  There  I  trust  we  shall  meet,  complete  in  Christ, 
where  separations  will  be  unknown,  and  where  our  joy  will  be  full. 

To  the  unbeliever,  the  Christless  sinner,  without  God  and  with- 
out hope  in  the  world,  I  wish  to  say — A  fearful  experience  is  be- 
fore you.  To  you  it  will  be  a  doleful  day  when  every  earthly  tie 
is  broken,  and  every  earthly  hope  has  vanished,  and  you  look  across 
the  dark  valley  without  God  and  without  hope.  O,  let  me  entreat 
you,  while  in  health,  to  haste  to  Jesus  Christ  for  refuge,  and  lay  up 
a  treasure  in  heaven.  David  Marks. 

ELDER  DAVID  MARKS' 
Address  in  Oherlin  Chapel,  Thursday,  November  18. 

REPORTED    BT   PROF.    COWLES,     EDITOR   OF  OBERLIN  EVANGELIST. 

*'  Professor  Finney  announced  to  the  assembly  that  it  was  uncer- 
tain whether  brother  Marks  would  survive  his  effort  to  address 
them,  that  he  had  been  apprised  of  this,  but  notwithstanding  was 
anxious  to  speak  to  them.  He  said  Dr.  Dascomb,  [Professor  of 
Physiology  in  Oberlin  Collegiate  Institute,]  had  just  examined,  and 
could  find  no  pulse  in  one  wrist,  and  only  a  little  tremulous  motion 
in  the  other.  If  he  should  die  in  the  attempt,  he  wished  the  con- 
gregation to  be  calm,  and  not  leave  their  seats.  His  friends  around 
him  would  take  care  of  him. 

Brother  Marks  said,  in  a  brief  introductory  address,  substan- 
tially as  follows : 

'  My  dear  friends,  I  feel  to  thank  God  that  I  have  the  prospect 
of  addressing  you  once  more,  and  for  the  last  time.  This  has  been 
the  desire  of  my  heart.  The  lamp  of  life  has  for  some  time  been 
flickering  in  its  socket ;  and  in  the  opinion  of  friends,  I  have  but 
a  few  hours  to  live.  I  think  I  should  have  gone  home  to  my  Heav- 
enly Father  last  night,  if  He  had  not  wished  me  to  bear  testimony 
for  Him  once  more  on  the  shores  of  time.  I  bless  his  name  that  I 
am  spared  and  strengthened  to  render  this  last  public  testimony.  I 
suppose  my  coffin  is  being  made,  and  my  grave-clothes  are  in  a  state 
of  preparation.  I  wish  the  choir  to  sing  a  hymn  that  has  been  very 
pleasant  to  me  for  many  years — a  working  hymn.  [1000  Hymn, 
Christian  Melody.] 

•  Why  sleep  we,  my  brethren,  come  let  us  arise,'  See. 

After  singing,  brother  Marks  prayed,  and  then  addressed  the  au- 
dience as  follows : 

*  My  extreme  weakness,  and  the  distress  of  suffocation  in  conse- 
quence of  the  dropsical  difficulty  in  my  chest,  and  which  is  proba- 


i 


' 


|.      'r 


w 


484 


ITEMOIRS   OF 


bly  drowning  my  heart,  has  not  allowed  me  to  spend  a  moment  in 
preparation  for  this  meeting.  Indeed,  it  has  been  extremely  doubt- 
ful whether  I  should  be  able  to  meet  you  at  all,  so  that  I  have  not 
had  much  anxiety  about  preparation.  Ilenco  my  remarks  must  be 
made  'oif  hand.' 

The  first  and  leading  thought  on  which  I  wish  to  dwell,  is  this, 
that  God  has  not  designed  this  place,  and  this  state  of  existence,  as 
our  final  home.  I  have  neither  time  nor  strength  to  enter  into  the 
evidence  now.  I  can  only  throw  out  the  idea  for  your  reflection. 
As  the  prophet  said,  '  Arise  and  depart,  for  this  is  not  your  rest, 
because  it  is  polluted  ;  it  shall  destroy  you  even  with  a  sore  de- 
struction.' Micah  2:10.  Grod  has  designedly  fixed  in  our  consti- 
tution and  state,  certain  counteracting  influences  to  wean  us  from 
the  love  of  life.  "When  wo  see  our  friends  in  the  agonies  of  dis- 
solving nature,  when  we  see  the  pallid  countenance,  the  shaking 
frame,  the  quivering  pulse,  the  gasping  breath,  the  glassy  eye,  we 
are  admonished  of  our  own  mortality ;  we  see,  as  it  were  in  a  glass, 
our  future  selves  passing  away  from  earth  and  earthly  things. 
Even  the  sorrows  and  trials  of  life  admonish  us  that  this  is  not  our 
rest.  Now  mark,  if  this  is  not  our  real  home,  how  little  interest 
should  we  take  in  the  things  of  this  life  ?  Suppose  you  were  on  a 
voyage  to  India  to  spend  your  life  there,  and  should  stop  on  some 
island  for  a  single  hour,  how  little  interest  you  would  take  in  the 
objects  you  might  chance  to  see  there,  compared  with  the  interest 
you  would  feel  in  every  thing  that  related  to  your  destined  home  ? 
Now,  if  we  should  live  to  the  age  of  Methuselah,  this  would  be 
nothing  compared  to  eternity.  Place  the  two  in  contrast,  and  how 
forcibly  we  must  realize  that  eternity  is  every  thing,  and  time  in 
dumtion  is  nothing. 

And  yet,  on  this  little  point  of  time,  every  thing  in  eternity  is 
made  to  hang.  All  your  plans  and  purposes,  all  your  motives  and 
actions,  are  giving  shape  and  character  to  your  eternal  state. 
With  what  awful  interest,  then,  ought  we  to  look  upon  the  motives 
that  govern  us  here — upon  the  character  we  are  here  forming ! 
With  what  solemn  and  watchful  solicitude  should  we  search  our 
hearts,  and  ascertain  the  ruling  object  of  our  life,  whether  it  be  for 
Grod  or  for  this  world. 

To  the  honor  of  Grod  I  wish  to  say  it,  I  have  lived  in  view  of 
eternity.  Forty  years  since,  my  existence  began.  Then  my  moth- 
er, now  a  saint  in  glory,  consecrated  me  to  God.  With  earnest 
prayer  she  besought  the  Lord  that  I  might  be  converted  early  in 
life,  and  often  have  I  heard  her  speak  of  the  place,  and  the  time, 
w^hen  she  first  obtained  the  witness  of  the  Spirit  that  her  prayers 
were  answered.  Often  would  she  take  me  to  the  bed-chamber — 
the  warm  tears  would  fall  on  my  cheek — she  would  tell  me  of  that 


%  ■■  V 


W 


DAVID    ftlARKS. 


465 


promise  of  God,  on  which  her  faith  took  hold,  and  wouM  plead 
with  me  to  give  my  heart  at  once  to  my  Savior.  At  the  age  of 
ten  years,  I  was  converted,  and  at  fifteen  I  felt  that  I  was  called  to 
preach  the  gospel  of  Christ.  Necessity  seemed  laid  upon  me.  I 
felt  that  I  must  go.  Yet  my  parents  were  unwilling,  for  they 
thought  me  too  young,  and  they  did  not  hear  that  voice  of  God 
which  I  liad  seemed  to  hear,  calling  me  to  go  forth  at  once  and 
preach  the  gospel.  My  struggles  at  this  time  were  very  great. 
One  day,  I  well  remember,  I  was  chopping  alone  in  the  woods : 
the  whole  subject  came  up  before  my  mind  with  great  freshness 
and  power.  I  sat  down  and  wept.  I  did  not  then  know  that  my 
parents  were  watching  me.  My  father  called  me  to  the  house, 
and  said :  "  Be  seated,  I  want  to  talk  with  you  a  few  minutes."  I 
noticed  my  mother's  eyes  were  red  with  weeping.  "  My  son,"  said 
my  father,  "  what  have  you  been  weeping  about  ?"  I  told  him  all 
my  heart,  I  wanted  to  preach  the  gospel.  I  felt  that  God  called 
me,  and  I  longed  to  go.  "  My  son,"  said  he,  "  you  may  go :  we 
have  for  some  time  felt  that  we  were  like  Pharaoh  of  old  who 
would  not  let  the  people  go  to  serve  their  God ;  we  shall  hold  you 
back  no  longer ;  you  may  go."  My  father  gave  me  my  time,  my 
mother  prepared  my  clothes,  and  the  next  morning  I  started  off.  I 
was  then  a  few  days  over  fifteen  years  old.  From  that  time  I  have 
been  engaged  in  preaching  the  glorious  gospel. 

My  early  career  as  a  preacher,  was  in  some  respects  peculiar^ 
The  novelty  of  my  boyhood  often  drew  out  immense  congrega- 
tions, and  of  necessity,  I  frequently  preached  in  the  open  air. 
These  circumstances,  doubtless,  contributed  to  give  me  great  strength 
of  voice,  and  an  unusual  developement  of  the  lungs,  so  that  I  sel- 
dom became  weary  in  the  effort  of  public  speaking.  The  call 
for  labor  was  so  great  that  I  often  spoke  six  hours  a  day.  In  this 
way  I  was  drawn  into  a  course  which  entirely  overtaxed  my  ner- 
vous system,  and  ere  I  was  aware  of  my  danger,  I  found  myself 
broken  down. 

But  I  cannot  repent  of  my  course.  God  has  shown  me  a  great 
deal  of  his  glory,  so  that  though  my  life  has  been  short,  I  trust, 
through  grace,  it  has  been  a  blessing  to  my  generation.  Through 
grace,  I  have  been  enabled  to  work  fast,  and,  I  trust,  accomplish 
something  for  God.  Often  for  months  and  even  years,  I  have  done 
what  good  judges  have  said  was  labor  enough  for  four  men.  So 
intensely  has  my  system  been  excited,  that  I  could  not  find  time  to 
sleep,  and  except  when  I  have  been  completely  exhausted,  sleep 
has  been  a  burden  to  me.  The  language  of  the  hymn  first  sung 
by  the  choir,  «  Why  sleep  we,  my  brethren,"  has  been  very  sweet 
to  my  soul. 

41* 


,1  f . 


f 


.   "y 


if 


i86 


SIEMOIRS   OF 


One  of  my  best  evidences  that  God  has  trained  me  for  the  work 
to  be  done  in  that  "  Hpirit-land"  whither  I  am  going,  is,  that  I  have 
such  an  intense  love  for  His  work,  as  perhaps  no  human  constitu- 
tion can  long  endure.  My  physical  frame  has  sunk  under  it ;  but 
I  bless  God,  that  my  spintual  strength  has  been  renewed  day  by 
day.  Since  the  symptoms  of  death  have  been  clear  and  decisive, 
no  language  can  describe  my  intense  longing  for  that  "  spirit-world," 
where  I  shall  never  tire  in  the  work  of  God.  My  soul  exults  in 
God,  and  seems  ready  to  leap  up  and  soar  away,  as  soon  as  it  s\iall 
be  released  from  this  frail  clay. 

This  confidence  in  God  seems  to  me  the  more  wonderful,  and 
seems  the  more  to  exalt  the  rich  grace  of  God,  because  it  is  what, 
in  view  of  my  mental  constitution,  I  had  no  reason  to  expect. 

My  phrenological  developements  are  such  that  it  was  always  ex- 
tremely difficult  for  me  to  believe  in  a  miracle.  The  organ  of  mar- 
vellousness  is  almost  entirely  wanting.  Hence  I  have,  naturally,  a 
strong  tendency  to  scepticism,  and  I  have  especially  been  often 
troubled  with  the  apprehension  that  I  should  be  tempted  to  scepti- 
cism in  the  near  approach  of  death.  This  hour  has  now  come,  and 
I  rejoice  to  testify  to  the  glory  of  God,  that  his  grace  triumphs. 
My  state  of  mind  is  entirely  different  from  what  I  had  feared.  No 
doubts  cast  even  their  shadows  across  the  broad  sun-light  of  my 
soul — all  nature  seems  to  cry  out,  "  Man  skctll  live  affain."  The 
light  of  a  blessed  immortality  dawns  beyond  the  tomb.  If  the 
worthless  insect  re-appears  in  fresh  beauty,  and  soars  on  new  wings 
of  glory,  emerging  from  its  grave,  how  much  more  shall  man  live 
again  in  unfading  glory. 

O,  it  cannot  be,  even  if  there  were  no  God,  that  nature  should 
have  implanted  such  a  longing  in  the  soul  for  immortality,  if  it  id 
a  boon  forever  to  be  withholden.  The  external  evidences  of  Chris- 
tianity have  brightened  around  m&  most  surprisingly  since  disease 
has  been  gathering  strength  and  pushing  its  assaults  towards  the 
citadel  of  life.  As  I  saw  my  limbs  begin  to  swell,  and  my  strength 
to  wane  away,  O,  there  was  a  sweetness  inexpressible  in  the  con- 
fidence my  soul  felt  in  the  Lord. 

This  confidence  is  not  the  philosophic  composure  of  a  Hume. 
No  !  infinitely  unlike  it !  I  bless  God  that  the  "  Christian's  hope" 
is  adapted  not  only  to  the  philosopher,  but  to  the  peasant — to  the 
child— -to  the  unlearned  and  the  most  despised  of  earth.  None  so 
low — none  so  far  from  philosophic  science,  but  may  feel  Christ  in 
the  soul.  Blessed  be  God,  for  this  experience  in  my  own  case. 
Blessed  be  God,  that  I  know  the  indwelling  presence  of  Christ, 
my  own  glorious  Savior."  Now,  although  the  outward  evidences 
of  Christianity  have  an  obvious  reality  that  satisfies  my  intelligence, 


^# 


DAVID   MARKS. 


487 


yet  there  is  a  sweetness  in  the  personal  knowledge  of  Christ  in  thju 
soul,  that  is  sweeter,  better,  clearer,  and  nobler. 

And  now  I  long  for  my  time  to  come.  Christ  is  so  near  and  so 
precious  that  I  cannot  fear  death,  and  cannot  apprehend  any  evil 
to  me.  O,  my  brethren,  no  reality  is  so  sure,  none  so  sweet,  none 
so  glorious,  as  the  Christian's  hope.  I  am  waiting  now  for  my 
Lord  to  come ;  surely  he  cannot  tarry  long.  I  have  not  a  linger- 
ing doubt  but  that  I  shall  soon  join  that  blessed  company  in  the  up- 
per world.  I  as  much  expect  it  as  I  ever  expected  to  meet  this 
congregation  in  this  house  of  worship  to-day.  O,  I  shall  soon  see 
that  great  company — parents,  I  shall  see  your  children — and  chil- 
dren, I  shall  see  your  parents  too,  who  have  gone  up ;  and  that 
great  throng  of  martyrs  who  "  came  up  out  of  great  tribulation, 
washed  their  robes  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb." 

Soon  shall  my  eyes  open  on  that  land  where  the  sun  shall  no 
more  go  down,  nor  their  moon  withdraw  itself — where  no  storms 
shall  rage,  nor  heat,  nor  sun  shall  smite  us, — and,  above  all,  where 
sin  shall  never  enter  nor  afflict  the  sons  and  daughtei'S  of  the  Lord 
Almighty.  O,  my  brethren  of  the  gospel  ministry,  how  sweet  to 
be  there,  where  the  watchmen  shall  all  see  eye  to  eye,  there  too, 
where  our  spiritual  children  shall  all  be  gathered  to  praise,  with 
us,  the  rich  grace  of  our  Lord.  There  I  shall  meet  many  whom  I 
have  seen  here  below,  and  with  whom  I  have  taken  sweet  converse 
as  we  have  moved  along  our  pilgrim  path-way  together.  O  there 
is  nothing  like  it.  Every  thing  else  dwindles  into  insignificance 
compared  with  that  "  exceeding  weight  of  glory." 

And  now,  I  beseech  you,  make  it  the  great  object  of  your  life 
to  be  in  sympathy  with  God.  Then  you  will  love  to  labor  in  his 
cause,  and  God  will  take  delight  in  owning  your  labors  and  crown- 
ing them  with  his  blessing.  O  how  has  sleep  departed  from  my 
eyes,  as  I  have  looked  over  the  great  West,  and  thought  of  the  migli- 
y  conflict  that  is  going  on  here,  and  is  destined  to  go  on  till  the 
kingdoms  of  this  world  shall  become  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord. 

What  a  scene  lies  outspread  before  us  !  What  an  age  of  im- 
provement is  that  on  which  we  have  fallen !  The  power  of  the 
press,  and  the  wonders  of  steam,  God  has  hidden  from  other  ages 
since  the  world  began,  and  reserved  them  for  this — doubtless  that 
they  might  just  get  under  way,  when  he  would  take  them  into  his 
service,  and  use  them  to  waft  the  gospel  round  the  globe. 

O  ye  young  men  and  women,  who  are  congregated  here — give 
yourselves  up  to  this  work.  O,  consider  what  a  work  you  have 
before  you — to  win  souls  to  Christ — to  save  a  soul  for  eternity- 
one  soul  for  whom  Clirist  died — surely  to  save  one  such  soul  were 


I* 


.*■ 


'^  ^■ 


4dd 


MEMOIRS   OP 


honor  enough  to  stimuhite  your  utmost  efforts.  There  is  no  post 
so  honorable,  as  to  be  a  minister  of  the  glorious  gospel,  to  be  an 
embtussttdor  for  God — to  negotiate  for  souls.  O  what  a  work ! 
Let  these  thoughts  sink  down  into  your  hearts.  O  live  for  God 
and  your  generation.  You  enter  life  in  a  glorious  time  to  live- 
there  is  so  much  to  do  for  God. 

To  all  the  unconverted  let  me  say — my  heart  is  full ;  I  feel  for 
you.  Time's  rapid  tide  is  bearing  you  along,  and  a  few  days  more, 
or  years,  will  bring  you  before  the  jinal  bar.  All  the  sermons 
you  have  heard  from  brother  Finney,  brother  Mahan,  and  brother 
Morgan,  and  from  other  brethren  of  the  "  Faculty,"  are  rerorded 
in  heaven — all  are  registered  there  against  you.  You  must  meet 
them  all  there.  O  what  an  account  you  must  render  on  that  dread 
day !  What  agony  of  soul  you  must  endure,  if  you  will  reject  this 
salvation,  bought  with  blood  I  I  beseech  you,  yield  your  hearts  to 
God.  'Tis  infinite  folly  and  madness  to  delay — 'tis  death  to  refuse  ! 
O,  all  of  you,  who  are  unconverted,  rest  not,  till  you  have  given 
your  hearts  to  God  and  found  a  Savior  in  Jesus  Christ. 

Finally,  Brethren,  Farewell.  Brother  Finney,  I  want  to  give 
you  my  hand.     All  of  you  who  love  God,  Farewell. 

Dear  sinner,  I  wish  I  could  say  farewell  to  you — but  I  cannot. 
I  cannot  wish  you  well  in  rebellion  against  God.  I  cannot  say  it 
will  be  well  with  you,  for  I  know  it  never  can  be,  till  you  give  your 
hearts  to  God. 

I  want  one  more  hymn  sung,  and  then  my  friends  may  take  me 
away.-    Sing  the  hymn, 

'Vital  spark  or  heavenly  flame,'  dec' 

With  this  hymn  and  a  short  prayer  by  Professor  Finney,  the 
meeting  closed." 

The  unexpected  tiduigs  of  Mr.  Marks'  dangerous  illness  and  death 
produced  an  unusually  deep  impression  upon  his  large  circle  of 
friends,  and  drew  forth  from  many  of  them  letters  of  condolence 
to  his  Avidow,  interspersed  with  expressions  of  the  esteem  with 
which  they  regarded  him.  Some  of  these  letters  contained  pecun- 
iary assistance,  which,  from  the  consequent  expenses  of  his  pro- 
tracted sickness,  was  kindness  indeed.  Several  tributes  of  re- 
spect to  his  memory  appeared  in  the  Morning  Star.  It  was  intend- 
ed to  make  copious  extracts  from  these,  and  the  letters  referred 
to,  but  the  limits  of  the  work  forbid.  A  few  are  given  as  speci- 
mens of  others,  and  as  illustrative  of  the  impressions  the  tidings 
of  his  departure  generally  produced.  The  letters  containing  the 
first  two  extracts,  were  received  three  days  previous  to  his  death, 
and  at  his  request  were  read  to  him. 


■± 


M 


i 


DAVID   UARKS. 


489 


[From  the  editor  of  the  Morninf  Btar.) 

Dover,  Nov.  21,  1845. 
Dear  brother  and  sister  Marks  : — Your  letters  of  November  lltli 
came  duly  to  hand,  and  their  contents  deeply  affected  my  heart. 
Previous  letters  from  you  had  encouraged  the  hope  that  brotlier 
Marks  would  yet  recover.  But  now,  like  a  thunder-clap,  the  news 
falls  upon  my  ear,  that  all  hope  has  expired,  that  he  is  just  on  the 
verge  of  eternity,  ready  to  launch  away,  and  that  arrangements  have 
been  made  for  funeral  obsequies !  In  a  moment,  all  the  happy  in- 
terviews and  pleasant  associations  of  the  past  rushed  upon  my  mind. 
Can  it  be  possible,  thought  I,  that  I  shall  see  brother  Marks'  face 
no  more — no  more  hear  his  kind  words,  nor  receive  from  him  the 
friendly  epistle !  It  seemed  indeed  like  a  dream.  I  thought  of 
the  pleasant  associations  of  gone-by  days — of  a  brother  and  sister 
Beede,  now  in  heaven,  I  trust— of  a  brother  Burbank,  too,  with 
whom  I  was  long  associated  in  the  Star  office.  He  too,  is  gone. 
And  it  really  seemed  that  I  was  about  to  be  left  alone.  "Well,  if  it 
must  be  so,  '  The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done.'  It  will  not  be  long 
before  I  shall  follow ;  and  may  God  grant  that  we  all  may  meet 
above.  Sister  Marks,  you  have  my  prayers,  and  the  prayers  of 
many  friends  here.  The  Lord,  I  have  no  doubt,  affords  and  will 
continue  to  afford  you  his  sustaining  grace  in  your  great  affliction. 

I  remain  truly  and  affectionately  yours, 

Wm.  Burr." 

[From  the  pastor  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  church  in  Boston,  N.  Y.j 

"Nov.  21,  1845. 
Dear  brother  Marks : — *  *  *  j  cannot  believe  that 
you  are  positively  nearing  the  cold  valley,  I  can  but  hope  it  is  only 
a  temporary  prostration,  from  which  you  will  soon  recover.  For 
this,  be  assured,  you  have  my  earnest  petitions.  Please  allow  me 
to  say,  that  there  is  no  man  living  to  whom  I  owe  so  much  as  your- 
self. Your  kind  admonitions  were  an  excellent  oil,  which  oflen 
soothed  and  encouraged  my  disconsolate  and  desponding  spirits. 
Where  I  shoyild  have  been  by  this  time,  without  your  timely  aid, 
the  Lord  only  knows.  I  never  think  of  it,  without  a  sensation  of 
gratitude  arising  in  my  heart.  I  was  happy  to  hear  of  your  joy- 
ful state  of  mind.  God's  grace  is  sufficient,  bless  his  name. 
******         Yours  truly, 

P.  W.  Belknap." 

[From  the  Clerk  of  the  Ashtabula  quarterly  meeting,  Ohio.] 

"  CoNNEAUT,  Nov.  29,  1845. 
Dear  sister  Marks : — I  received  your  letter  yesterday  and  haste 
to  reply.     I  felt  melancholy  at  the  intelligence  that  brother  Marks 


<  i 


i\ 


mi 


490 


MEMOIRS   OF 


is  npparontly  on  thn  borders  of  the  grave,  (and  porlmps  at  this 
inomont  is  praising  (jod  in  heaven,)  and  still  a  thrill  of  joy  sprang 
up  in  my  soul,  on  the  reflection,  that  if  his  work  on  eartli  is  done,  it 
is  well  done,  and  he  can  say  with  Paul,  that  he  has  *  finished  liid 
course  and  kept  the  faith.'     O  how  consoling:  but  sure  it  is, 
*  God's  ways  are  past  finding  out.'     The  providence  of  God  in 
withholding  the  labors  of  brother  Marks,  and  taking  him  to  him- 
self, at  so  early  a  period,  to  us  is  mysterious,  when  so  many  live  to 
a  great  age,  that  are  mere  ci[)her8  and  worse  than  naught  in  the 
moral  world.     But  may   God  give  us  grace  to  guard  against  mur- 
muring at  His  dealings  with  us  in  this  trying  hour.    I  think,  of  late, 
I  have  reflected  on  the  situation  of  that  portion  of  the  Zion  of 
God  with  which  we  stand  particularly  connected,  something  as  I 
should.     We  have  nothing  of  which  to  boast,  but  we  have  had,  and 
still  have,  as  good  native  talent  as  any  of  our  sister  denominations ; 
and  to  see  some  of  our  strong  men  leave  the  field,  I  have  been 
led  to  inquire,  *  By  whom  shall  Jacob  arise  ?'     One,  on  one  hand, 
has  fallen  by  his  own  improprieties,  and  now  another,  to  whom  we 
have  looked  as  one  of  our  '  Pioneers'  and  champions,  is  brought 
near  the  grave,  (if  not  already  interred,)  one  who  has  long  stood 
high  in  the  councils  of  our  denomination,  and  who,  by  privations, 
perseverance,  and  personal  sacrifice,  was  instrumental  in  aiding  to 
flocuro,  as  the  property  of  the  connexion,  the  Morning  Star,  by  the 
light  of  which  thousands  have  been  blessed.    The  influence  he  has 
exerted  in  its  favor,  the  unwearied  efibrt  he  has  made  to  extend  its 
heavenly  rays,  by  extending  its  circulation,  all  these  things,  in  addition 
to '  preaching  the  word,*  have  occupied  my  mind  since  I  received 
your  deeply  affecting  letter.     But  what  can  I  say  to  you  in  this 
hour  of  affliction?      To  say  that  I  fully  sympathize  with  you 
would  be  an  idle  phrase,  for  as  deeply  as  I  feel  the  affliction  for 
Zion's  sake,  I  cannot  feel  what  a  companion  feels  in  such  a  trying 
hour.         *****         "Mskj  God's  grace  support 
you  is  my  prayer.  Silas  A.  Davis." 

[From  the  pastor  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  church  iu  Lowell,  Mass.] 

Dec.  3,  1845. 
Dear  brother  Marks : — I  received  yours  of  the  10th  ult.  a  few 
days  since,  and  was  very  sorry  to  learn  that  you  were  so  low  and 
feeble.  I  still  hope  and  pray,  if  it  can  be  consistent  with  the  will 
of  our  Heavenly  Father,  that  you  may  yet  be  raised  up  to  health. 
Can  it  be  that  I  shall  never  again  see  your  face  in  the  flesh  ?  Shall 
I  never  again  sit  with  you  in  General  Conference  to  deliberate  up- 
on the  interests  of  Zion  ?  I  hope  I  may :  but  if  Grod  should  otherwise 
order,  we  must  submit.  We  have  spent  many  happy  hours  together 
in  past  years  in  different  places  in  studying  and  laboring  for  the  in- 


4' 


3,  It 

is. 


DAVID   MARKS. 


491 


tercsts  of  our  beloved  donomination.  *  *  •  «  j 
nm  glftd,  denr  brother,  to  leurn  tlmt  you  enjoy  the  presence  of  the 
Lord,  und  feel  resigned  to  his  will.  1 1  is  grace  will  be  sulUcicnt  for 
you.  I  trust  we  shall  yet  live  eternally,  where  pleasures  never  die 
and  sorrows  never  come.         Yours  very  affectionately, 

Silas  Curtis." 

Subsequently  he  wrote  :— 
" Dear   Sister    Muri^    • — Nev<r  shall   I 
which  were  produced  iu  ii»y  mind  when 
learned   the    s</''*mn    intelligence 


forget  the  sensations 
I  opened  your  letter, 
and  learned  the  si/'^mn  intelligence  that  brother  Marks  was 
no  more  on  earth.  Thought  I,  can  it  be  that  he  is  dead  ? 
Shall  I  see  him  no  more  in  this  world?  Has  he  indeed  done  with 
toils,  tears,  cares,  and  labors,  and  gone  to  his  glorious  reward  on 
high?  The  recollection  of  many  past  scenes  instantly  rushed  into 
my  mind.  The  first  time  that  I  saw  him  was  at  the  Geneml  Con- 
ference in  Spafford,  N.  Y.,  more  than  sixteen  years  ago.  Since 
that  time,  I  have  had  an  intimate  and  happy  acquaintance  with  him, 
and  our  hearts  were  ever  closely  united  in  Christian  ties,  which 
death  itself  cannot  dissolve.  We  have  often  journeyed,  preached, 
and  prayed  together.  We  have  wept  and  rejoiced  together.  We 
have  spent  many  days  and  weeks,  and  a  great  part  of  many  nights, 
in  company  with  our  associates  of  the  Publishing  Committee,  in 
preparing  for  the  press  the  '  Treatise  on  the  Faith  of  the  Free-will 
Baptists,*  in  devising  means  for  the  success  of  our  Book  Concern, 
and  in  laboring  to  promote  the  general  interests  of  the  cause  of 
Christ.  I  was  also  reminded  of  my  last  parting  with  him  at  the 
General  Conference  in  Plainfield,  N.  Y.  in  1844.  In  his  last 
speech  in  that  Conference,  he  told  us  that  he  should  never  meet 
with  us  in  General  Conference  again ;  yet  little  did  I  then  think 
that  I  should  never  more  see  him  till  we  meet  on  immortal  shores. 
It  is  indeed  true  that  he  is  gone.  His  work  is  done; — his  sufferings 
are  ended — he  has  joined  the  admiring  host  around  the  throne 
above.  My  first  and  last  interviews  with  him  were  at  General  Con- 
ferences, both  of  which  were  in  the  state  of  New  York. 

When  I  think  of  my  dear  brother  Marks'  peaceful,  happy,  vic- 
torious death,  I  can  but  wish  that  I  could  have  been  with  him  to  wit- 
ness that  glorious  hour,  when  angels  waited  around  his  bed  to  bear  his 
spirit  to  the  skies  ;  but  I  look  forward  to  future  scenes.  When  a  few 
more  griefs  are  ended,  when  a  few  more  storms  have  beat  upon 
me,  when  I  shall  have  blown  the  gospel  trumpet  a  few  times  more, 
I  hope  to  have  the  same  grace  to  sustain  me  while  passing  through 
the  gloomy  vale,  and  then  I  shall  meet  the  glorified  spirit  of  broth- 
er Marks,  with  all  my  dear  brethren  in  the  ministry,  and  all  the 
faithful  who  have  gone  before,  on  the  plains  of  immortal  glory, 


51 


4 


■  f 


492 


MEMOIRS   OF 


where  we  shall  gaze,  and  wonder,  and  admire — where  our  spirits 
will  never  faint---and  our  jov  will  never  end. 

"  O  glorious  day  !    O  bleased  hope  ! 
My  heart  leaps  forward  at  the  thought, 
When  in  that  happy,  happy  land, 
We'll  no  more  take  the  parting  hand  " 

With  such  hopes  a"d  prospects  as  these,  my  dear  sister,  let  ns 
submissively  bow  to  that  Divine  Providence,  which  has  removed 
from  you,  for  a  short  time,  an  affectionate  husband,  from  Zion's 
walls,  a  bold,  fearless,  and  faithful  watchman,  and  say,  *  Father,  let 
thy  will  be  done.' 

I  am  truly  yours  in  Christ,  Silas  Curtis.'* 

[From  the  pastor  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  church  at  Great  Falls,  N.  H.] 

«  December  17,  1845. 
My  dear  sister  Marks  : — ^The  sad  intelligence  of  the  departure 
of  your  dear  husband  has  just  been  received,  and  although  it  is  im- 
possible for  me  to  give  an  expression  of  the  sympathy  and  sorrow 
I  feel,  yet  it  seems  a  privilege  to  communicate  something.     *      * 

*  *  You  have  our  strongest  sympathies  and  affections,  and 
over  the  loss  of  the  very  many  amiable  and  even  holy  qualifica- 
tions of  your  dear  companion,  I  mourn,  as  I  have  never  mourned 
over  the  loss  of  any  other  minister.  I  hope  the  remainder  of  his 
Life  will  be  given  to  the  public  as  soon  as  possible.     I  read  his 

*  Narrative*  with  deep  interest  soon  afler  my  conversion,  and  it 
then  produced  an  anxious  desire  in  my  mind  for  more  holiness  of 
heart,  and  for  higher  attainments  in  the  Christian  life.  Afler  I  be- 
lieved that  God  had  called  me  to  the  ministry,  I  read  it  again,  and 
the  effect  produced  was  still  deeper.  Indeed,  much  of  my  usefulness, 
(if  any  useful  spots  are  to  be  seen  in  my  almost  useless  life,)  is 
to  be  attributed  to  that  peculiar  sympathy  for  sinners,  and  anxiety 
for  their  salvation,  which  was  wrought  in  my  heart,  more,  perhaps, 
by  reading  his.  *  Narrative,'  than  any  other  one  book  except  the 
Bible.  As  Mrs.  Dunn  wishes  to  write,  I  must  close ;  but  my  soul 
is  full,  and  T  feel  like  weeping  constantly,  while  from  my  heart  the 
anxious  inquiry  is  arising,  O  God,  on  whom  shall  the  mantle  of 
this  good  man  fall  ?  Dear  sister,  you  are  not  alone  in  your  afflic- 
tion. You  are  but  one  of  more  than  sixty  thousand  mourners !  I 
know  you  feel  it  as  others  cannot ;  but  I  trust  you  are  prepared, 
as  in  this  low  time  others  are  not.  But  we  will  trust  in  the  Lord, 
'  whose  mercy  endureth  forever.*  I  feel  that  the  grateful  thanks 
of  the  denomination  are  due  to  those  whose  efficient  kindness  was 
so  freely  manifested  in  your  recent  trials.     The  Lord  reward  them. 

In  Christ,  yours  affectionately,  Ransom  Dunn." 

"  My  beloved  sister  in  Christ : — I  sit  for  a  moment  to  express  in 
a  word  something  of  the  deep  feelings  of  my  heart,  in  consequence 


3%    't~ 


DAVID  MATft^S. 


493 


of  our  bereavement,  as  a  denomination,  and  the  cause  of  the  belov- 
ed Zion  of  God  generally.  I  feel  that  we  are  bereaved.  God  has 
been  dealing  with  us :  he  has  dealt  sternly,  but  it  has  been  justly. 
Can  it  be  that  our  beloved  brother  Marks  is  laid  aside  ?  Are  his 
labors  at  an  end  ?  Are  sinners  no  more  to  hear  that  voice  that  has 
so  faithfully  and  affectionately  warned  them  to  seek  the  God  of 
their  salvation  ?  Yes,  his  labors  are  done,  and  he  has  gone  to  his 
reward.  Many  will  rise  in  the  great  day  of  accounts  to  call  him 
blessed.  I  cannot  refrain  my  tears  while  I  write.  Being  much 
beloved,  he  dies  much  lamented.  I  would  not  say  a  word  to  probe 
the  wound  so  deeply  made,  or  cause  a  bleeding  heart  to  bleed 
afresh ;  but  were  it  in  my  power,  would  fain  speak  a  word  of  conso- 
lation. In  the  absence  of  your  departed  husband,  you  have  the  pres- 
ence of  Him  who  can  heal  all  your  sorrows.  You,  my  dear  sister, 
have  now  become  heir  to  more  promises,  than  you  could  have  been 
in  any  other  situation,  and  may  they  be  your  support. 

Affectionately,  yours  in  sympathy,  Mary  E.  Dunn*** 

{From  a  student  of  Oberlin  College,  now  Principal  of  the  Preparatory  Department  of 

that  Institution.] 

«  Newburgh,  Ohio,  Dec  20,  1845. 

Bear  sister  Marks : — You  have  had  a  right  to  expect  a  letter 
from  me  before  this,  and  it  has  been  in  my  heart  to  write ;  but  I 
have  felt,  in  view  of  the  circumstances,  such  a  poverty  of  language 
that  it  seemed  almost  a  mockery  to  pen  a  word.  »  *  *  How 
soon  has  the  prediction  of  brother  Marks,  in  his  last  words  to  me, 
'  You  will  see  my  face  no  more  till  we  meet  in  heaven,'  met  its  ful- 
filment !  Yes,  that  event  that  we  all,  except  himselif,  fondly  en- 
deavored to  persuade  ourselves  was  far  in  the  future,  has  come  up- 
on us  as  it  were  in  a  moment.  Thus  has  Grod  taught  us  as  with  a 
lightning  flash,  how  strangely  insecure  are  all  our  creature  com* 
forts.     I  feel  awed  and  rebuked  before  my  Heavenly  Father. 

I  strongly  desired  that  brother  Mai-ks  should  live.  There  seem- 
ed to  me  many  reasons  why  it  was  important  that  his  days  should 
be  prolonged.  1.  Its  influence  on  myself.  I  anticipated  much 
benefit  from  his  counsels,  which  his  large  experience  so  eminently 
qualified  him  to  give.  His  uniform  kindness,  and  the  deep  interest 
which  he  constantly  manifested  in  my  welfare,  made  it  entirely  safe 
for  me  to  indulge  high  expectations  of  much  that  would  be  exceed- 
ingly valuable  in  preparing  me  for  the  ministry.  2.  The  fewness 
of  ministers  among  us,  whose  hearts  are  so  thoroughly  imbued  with 
the  spirit  of  reform,  and  who  have  such  clear  views  of  the  doctrine 
of  perfect  love,  as  beyond  all  question  was  true  of  him.  3.  I  knew 
if  he  lived,  he  would  do  much  to  strengthen  that  sweet  union  which 
has  sprung  up  between  the  Free-will  Baptists  and  the  dear  Oberlin 
42 


im 


ill 

,.  r. 


494 


MEMOIRS    OF 


brethren.  I  consider  it  matter  of  devout  thanksgiving  to  God.  that 
he  came  to  Oberlin,  and  since  his  appointed  hour  had  come,  that  he 
was  permitted  to  die  there.  I  would  rather  he  should  lay  down 
his  life  there  than  any  where  else  in  ilie  world.  The  hand  of  the 
Lord  was  in  his  coming  to  Oberlin.  Let  it  be  proclaimed  to  all 
our  brethren,  that  one  of  their  most  faithful  ministers  went  shout- 
ing home  to  his  Lord  from  Oberlin — that  Mr.  Finney  preached  at 
his  funeral,  and  that  his  remains  repose  in  glorious  hope  in  the 
Oberlin  burying  ground,  and  let  the  brethren  of  both  denominations 
know,  that  as  the  Lord  gave  brother  Marks  to  the  Oberlin  breth- 
ren to  die  with  them,  and  with  them  to  be  buried,  so  should  they 
give  themselves  to  each  other,  to  be  one  in  the  Lord,  and  that,  al- 
though they  may  preserve  their  denominational  distinction,  yet  in 
their  hearts  they  should  know  no  difference. 

You  need  not,  sister,  that  I  write  words  of  consolation  to  you. 
You  have  in  the  example  of  your  departed  husband — in  his  perfect 
resignation  to  the  will  of  God — in  his  triumphant  confidence,  an  in- 
finitely clearer  light  to  the  Fountain  of  all  consolation,  than  any 
thing  that  I  can  say." 

Subsequently  he  wrote  as  follows :  "  It  is  my  decided  opinion 
that  a  Memoir  of  brother  Marks  should  be  published  as  soon  as 
may  be.  All  classes  need  it.  To  young  ministers,  especially,  will 
it  be  of  immense  value  in  forming  in  them  that  apostolic  earnestness 
for  which  brother  Marks  was  most  remarkable,  and  which  is  all 
important  in  a  servant  of  Jesus.  »  *  *  *  j  need  not  say 
that  I  have  been  deeply  affected  by  reading  the  funeral  sermon, 
the  addresses,  &c.  Being  separated  from  brother  Marks  during 
the  last  days  of  his  stay  upon  earth,  and  my  attention  constantly 
engrossed  with  a  large  school,  I  had  hardly  aroused  to  the  fact,  that 
"he  was  dead,  until  I  obtained  the  funeral  sermon  in  the  Evangel- 
ist. Then  it  was  the  sad  truth  seemed  a  reality :  then  I  began  to 
feel  that  pressure  of  sorrow — that  aching  of  heart  which  tells  me  I 
have  lost  more  than  a  brother.  I  can  say,  in  all  sincerity,  I  great- 
ly loved  brother  Marks.  During  the  whole  time  I  was  permitted 
to  enjoy  his  acquaintance,  he  manifested  the  strongest  sympathy 
with  me  in  my  efforts  to  obtain  an  education,  entering  as  really  into 
my  trials  and  difficulties  as  though  they  were  his  own.  And  now 
that  he  is  gone,  the  remembrance  of  those  seasons  that  I  have 
spent  with  him,  although  it  unseals  the  fountains  of  my  soul,  is  still 
among  the  sweetest  of  my  recollections.  How  I  rejoice  that  I  con- 
sented, at  his  request,  to  leave  my  books  and  attend  those  meetings 
which  we  attended  together  the  past  autumn.  I  wish  I  could  re- 
cord every  word  he  said  in  our  pleasant  rides.  Never  can  I  forget 
the  profitable  time  we  had  returning  from  quarterly  meeting  last 
September.    He  was  much  animated  the  whole  evening.     He 


DAYID    BIARKS. 


495 


that 
It  he 
own 
the 
all 
out- 
id  at 
the 


al- 
3t  in 


spoke  of  the  danger  of  ministers  from  pride,  from  ambition,  from 
love  of  praise,  from  jealousy  of  their  ministering  brethren.  I  re- 
member how  tenderly  and  affectionately  he  spoke  of  his  minister- 
ing brethren,  especially  of  those  from  whom  he  had  been  compell- 
ed to  differ.  I  am  sure  he  possessed  a  Christ-like  spirit  toward  all 
his  brethren. 

Soon  after  this,  while  yet  we  were  all  encouraged  by  the  favora- 
ble indications  of  returning  health,  conversing  with  him  one  day 
upon  the  moral  wants  of  the  '  West,'  he  said,  Avith  much  emotion, 
'  Ah,  brother  Whipple,  if  I  can  only  regain  my  health,  so  as  to  be 
comfortable,  I  shall  give  up  my  studies,  give  up  writing,  take  no 
more  agencies,  but  spend  all  my  remaining  strength  travelling 
through  the  'West,*  preaching  Christ  to  perishing  sinners.'  It 
was  not  long,  however,  before  he  gave  up  all  idea  of  preaching  any 
more,  being  convinced  that  his  work  upon  earth  was  almost  done. 

October  28.  I  called  upon  brother  Marks,  and  found  sister 
Marks  in  tears  by  his  bed-side.  He  welcomed  me  with  his  usual 
affectionate  manner.  He  said,  *  I  have  just  been  telling  my  wife 
that  she  must  prepare  for  a  separation,  for  I  am  well  satisfied  that 
my  stay  upon  earth  will  be  short.  I  feel  that  it  would  be  mistaken 
kindness  to  withhold  this  conviction  from  her.  How  common  for 
families  to  put  far  from  them,  as  a  topic  of  conversation,  this  sub- 
ject. What  can  be  more  unwise  !  Often  many  things  that  ought 
to  be  done  and  said,  are  neglected  until  the  last  agony  comes  on, 
and  then  there  is  no  time.  My  wife  will  soon  be  a  widow,  and  I 
wish  to  say  all  to  her  that  I  can,  that  will  be  of  any  use  to  her 
when  I  am  gone.  I  leave  a  kind  and  pleasant  family.  1  bless 
God  the  review  of  our  matrimonial  life  has  in  it  no  bitterness.  I 
have  nothing  to  bequeath  to  my  dear  companion  except  my  dying 
counsel,  but  the  Lord  will  provide.^  October  31.  Expecting  to 
leave  on  the  morrow,  I  called  to  take  my  leave  of  brother  Marks. 
Said  he,  '  Farewell,  brother  Whipple,  you  will  see  me  no  more  in 
the  flesh.  Before  the  winter  shall  have  half  passed  away,  I  shall 
enter  upon  higher  duties  in  heaven.  I  have,'  continued  he,  with 
tears,  *  exceedingly  loved  the  work  of  Christ.  I  have  been  a  poor 
fallible  instrument,  but,  in  all  my  efforts,  I  have  honestly  sought 
the  good  of  Zion.  If  the  Lord  will,  I  want  to  preach  once  more, 
and  write  a  farewell  address  to  the  Free-will  Baptist  denomination, 
and  then  go  home.  Our  acquaintance  has  been  very  pleasant,  our 
next  meeting  will  be  unspeakably  glorious.' 

Thus,  my  dear  sister,  I  have  given  you,  in  much  anguish  of  spir- 
it, and  v/ith  many  tears,  a  very  imperfect  sketch  of  two  or  three 
conversations  I  had  with  your  departed  husband.  I  can  hardly  be 
reconciled  to  the  sad,  sad  truth,  that  I  shall  see  his  face  no  more  in 
this  life.     I  am  aware  this  strain  of  remark  will  have  little  tenden- 


4D6 


MEMOIRS   OF 


cy  to  console  you ;  but  it  seems  to  me  you  have  an  element  of  con- 
solation of  which  I  am  deprived.  Shut  away  as  I  was  from  InV 
dying  couch,  I  have  not  the  preparation  for  the  bereavement,  which 
witnessing  his  most  triumphant  departure,  would  have  given.  Ah, 
it  would  have  been  a  great  privilege,  could  I  have  watched  beside 
him  the  last  few  days  in  which  he  was  crossing  the  river.  But  I 
will  not  murmur ;  nay,  I  would  be  unfeignedly  thankful  to  ray 
Heavenly  Father,  tliat  I  have  been  permitted  to  enjoy  his  society 
so  long,  and  I  trust  this  most  wise  stroke  will  not  be  lost  upon  me. 
I  feel  called  upon  to  dedicate  myself  anew  to  the  Lord,  and  do 
what  I  can  to  fill  up  the  breach  made  in  the  sacramental  host  by 
the  removal  of  that  valiant  soldier.     *     ♦     » 

Farewell.     Youra  in  the  bonds  of  our  holy  religion, 

HsNUY  E.  Whipple.'* 

At  a  recent  date,  he  wrote :  "  "Would  tliat  I  could  have  seen  the 
pale  cold  face  of  the  sainted  Torrey  !  Would  that  I  could  have 
dipped  the  point  of  my  sword  in  his  blood,  and  over  his  murdered 
body,  renewed  my  oath  against  slavery  I  But  his  death  will  not 
be  lost  upon  me.  It  will  unite  its  influence  with  the  death  of  your 
dear  husband,  to  call  me  to  nervous  action,  in  the  cause  of  Grod. 
Their  bodies  have  been  laid  in  the  grave ;  but  their  spirits  have 
gone  up  on  high  to  receive  their  reward.  I  have  no  doubt  but 
they  will  be  intimate  friends  in  heaven.  '  They  were  lovely  and 
pleasant  in  their  lives,  and  in  their  death  they  were  not*  much  '  di- 
vided.' With  peculiar  emphasis,  I  can  go  on  and  say,  '  I  am  dis- 
tressed for  thee,  my  dear  brother  Marks  :  very  pleasant  hast  thou 
been  unto  me :  thy  love  to  me  was  wonderful,  passing  the  love  of 
women.'  *  *  I  cannot  myself  write  about  your  dear  depaited 
kusband,  without  pain  of  soul,  such  as  no  other  aflfliction  ever  occa- 
sioned. My  heart  cries  out  witL  unutterable  lon^ngs  for  my 
brother,  whose  face  I  may  see  no  more.  O,  had  I  known  last  sum- 
mer, that  he  was  so  soon  to  be  taken  away,  how  I  would  have  treas- 
ured up  his  words,  and  how  careful  I  should  have  been  to  spend  all 
the  time  possible  in  his  scciety.  O,  those  were  precious  ties  of 
Christian  love,  that  had  just  begun  to  bind  strongly  your  dear  fam- 
ily to  me  and  mine.  I  had  begun  to  promise  myself  much  profit 
and  happiness  in  the  connection,  when,  alas  !  the  strongest  link  was 
snapped  forever.  I  cannot  but  feel,  and  most  keenly  feel,  that 
when  the  grave  closed  over  the  body  of  your  dear  husband,  it  con- 
cealed from  me,  as  far  as  tliis  world  is  concerned,  some  of  my 
most  cherished  anticipations ;  but  they  shall  be  restored  again. 
Faith  points  to  a  brighter  shore.  It  will  not  be  long,  and  we  shall 
all  go.  Blessed  prospect !  Those  ties,  although  sundered  for  time, 
yet  reach  beyond  the  grave,  and  draw  us  more  strongly  towards 


DAVID    MARKS. 


497 


heaven.    Where  the  treasure  is  there  will  the  heart  be  also."    * 
*         *         »         *  H.  E.  W. 

[From  Mrs.  Professor  Finney.] 

"  My  dear  afflicted  Friend : — The  lonely  feeling,  no  doubt,  of- 
ten comes  over  you  with  unutterable  anguish,  '  My  bosom  compan- 
ion is  gone !  I  am  solitary  and  alone,  as  it  were,  in  the  midst  of 
the  world  !*  I  feel,  dear  Mrs.  Marks,  that  you  need  consolation, 
since  the  tie  that  so  long  bound  you  to  your  detir  husband  has  been 
dissolved.  The  Lord,  I  trust,  sustains  and  comforts  you.  How 
glorious  the  idea  that  Mr.  Marks  will  never  die.  His  poor  body 
is  laid  aside,  but  his  spirit  is  now  released,  disenthralled,  no  longer 
chained  down  to  earth,  unable  to  rise  and  seize  the  prize  his  ardent 
soul  panted  for.  Although  there  are  many  things  this  side  eterni- 
ty calculated  to  bear  us  onward  and  upward,  still  the  uniform  ten- 
dency is  downward.  We  are  by  the  very  constitution  and  the  ne- 
cessities of  our  nature  compelled  to  descend,  and  become  conver- 
sant with  affairs  little  in  accordance  with  those  high  hopes,  which 
life  and  immortality  have  brought  to  light.  Let  us  then  rejoice 
that  the  heaven-born  spirits  of  our  friends  are  no  longer  bound 
down  as  ours  are  while  in  this  frail  tabernacle  of  flesh.  I  felt  it  to 
be  a  matter  of  thanksgiving  that  your  Heavenly  Father  indulged 
you  in  the  precious  privilege  of  attending  your  sick  and  dying  hus- 
band, to  minister  to  his  wants.  Was  it  not  an  unspeakable  consola- 
tion, when  his  strength  was  departing,  and  you  felt  that  the  dear 
Savior  had  sent  a  message  for  him,  to  see  him  not  only,  not  disturb- 
ed or  agitated,  because  '  flesh  and  spirit  were  about  to  fail,'  but 
exceedingly  joyful  in  hope  of  soon  seeing  Jesus  ? 

Dear  Mrs.  Marks,  keep  your  eye  of  faith  steadily  fixed  above, 
and  your  hope  anchored  within  the  vail.  That  the  presence  of  God 
may  pervade  your  soul  from  day  to  day,  is  the  prayer  of  your  sym- 
pathizing friend,  L.  R.  Finney." 

[From  the  Principal  of  Smithville  Seminary,  R.  I.] 

"  North  Scituate,  R.  L  Dec.  '  t,  1845. 
Sister  Marks : — It  was  with  deep  emotions  that  you  last  came 
to  hand,  announcing  the  exit  of  your  husband.  I  could  but  look 
back  to  my  first  meeting  with  him,  and  the  happy  seasons  we  have 
since  enjoyed  at  various  times.  Such  recollections  are  sweet.  But 
when  I  think  that  one  of  their  pai-ticipants  is  no  more  on  earth,  it 
strikes  a  gloom,  and  pierces  my  heart  with  a  pang  of  sorrow.  But 
we  must  submit.  We  must  all  die.  We  must  soon  follow  the  de- 
parted. Then  how  it  behooves  us  to  live  in  a  state  of  preparatioa 
for  the  otherwise  gloomy  change.  Though  it  is  painful  to  take  the- 
finally  parting  hand  with  the  dear  people  of  God,  yet  it  is  blissful 
to  reflect  upon  their  triumphant  departure,  and  their  glorious  state 
42* 


i 


ill 


■•<  i 


!!! 


f 


498 


MEMOIRS   OF 


% 


among  the  beatific  above.     Doubtless  these  subjects  of  reflection 
soothe  your  sorrowing  heart,  and  alleviate  your  distress  of  spirit. 

♦  *     ¥     Hoping  to  meet  you  in  the  world  of  bliss,  together  with 
your  departed  husband,  I  subscribe  myself  yours  truly, 

HOSEA   QUINBY. 

[From  an  Episcopalian  lady  in  Vermont,] 

"Arlington,  Vt.  Dec.  25,  1845. 

My  Dear  Niece : —  *  #  *  #  •j'jjg  Oberlin  Evangelist, 
containing  intelligence  of  the  death  of  your  beloved  husband  came 
two  days  ago.  I  cannot  realize  that  he  has  closed  up  his  earthly 
labors,  that  he  is  no  more  to  go  out  and  come  in  among  us,  or  speak 
to  us  of  the  blessed  Savior.  But  it  is — ^it  must  be  so.  Were  not 
the  promise  sure  that  the  Lord  is  a  present  help  in  time  of  trouble, 
and  did  you  not  realize  this  promise,  your  heart  would  be  utterly 
desolate :  but  I  trust  that  He  is  your  refuge  in  this  your  severe  af- 
fliction— that  your  heart  is  fixed — that  you  can  say,  Tliough  he 
slay  me,  yet  will  I  trust  in  him.  My  dear  afflicted  neice,  how  do  I 
long  to  see  you — to  do  all  in  my  power  to  pour  in  the  healing  balm 
of  consolation  into  your  stricken  bosom,  but  you  have  a  Friend 
whose  sympathy  is  all-powerful  to  relieve — who  is  afflicted  in  all 
your  afflictions,  and  will  save  you  out  of  them  all.  He  healeth  the 
broken  in  heart,  and  bindeth  up  their  wounds.  Whom  the  Lord 
loveth  he  chasteneth.  I  pray  and  trust  that  you  faint  not  under 
His  rebuke,  but  that  you  regard  your  present  aflOiiction  as  a  token 
of  His  love,  more  precious  than  earthly  friends  or  any  earthly  con- 
sideration, and  that  you  cheerfully  acquiesce  in  the  will  of  God. 
Cast  your  burden,  therefore,  upon  the  Lord,  who,  though  he  afflict, 
will  cause  all  things  to  work  together  for  your  good.  Trust  in 
Him.  He  will  give  you  grace  to  sustain  you  in  all  the  trials  he 
sees  fit  to  cause  you  to  suffer.  *  They  that  trust  in  the  Lord  shall 
be  as  mount  Zion,  that  cannot  be  removed.'     ***** 

There  is  much,  too,  in  the  circumstances  attending  y©ur  case. 
His  '  rough  wind'  has  n3t  blown  upon  you ;  though  it  haVe  been 

*  the  day  of  his  east  wind,'  it  has  been  *  tempered'  to  you  in  much 
mercy.  Your  own  loss  is  all  you  have  to  mourn.  You  had  the  in- 
estimable privilege  of  watching  over  your  dear  husband  in  his  sick- 
ness, and  administering  to  all  his  temporal  wants,  and  also  spiritu- 
al comfort,^,  as  far  as  earthly  friends  could  minister ;  and  above  all 
you  liad  the  unspeakable  consolation  of  witnessing  the  glorious  tri-- •> 
-  mph  of  his  faith  over  the  last  enemy,  death,  and  you  have  not  a 
reasonable  doubt  but  his  freed  spirit  has  entered  the  mansions  pre- 
pared for  them  that  love  God.  What  ingredient  more  could  have 
been  added  to  sweeten  your  cup  of  sorrow  ?  Next,  to  the  consola- 
tions derived  from  the  gospel,  are  the  testimonies  of  tlve  Jdnd  re- 
membrances and  sympathy  of  those  who  loved  our  departed  feiend ; 


DAVID   MAUKS. 


409 


ith 


ily 


and  you  have  many  such  testimonies,  both  written  and  unwritten. 
From  the  gospel,  too,  you  have  all  the  consolations  which  its  divine 
promises  afford  to  the  believer.  Wliat  an  inexhaustible  source  of 
comfort !  It  is  a  fountain  ever  full  and  ever  open — whence  the 
soul,  bowed  down  under  the  weight  of  ita  sorrows,  may  dniw  of  the 
waters  of  life,  and  drink,  and  be  Batisfied— yea,  its  mourning  be 
turned  to  joy  and  gladness.  That  this  may  be  your  experience,  is 
the  prayer  of  your  affectionate  aunt,  M.  Turner. 

(From  the  pastor  of  three  Freewill  Baptist  Churches  in  Strafford,  N.  H.] 

"Dec.  81,  1845. 

Dear  sister  Marks : — The  very  able  letter  which  your  Uvte  and 
much  esteemed  husband  recently  wrote  me,  even  when  he  was  fee- 
ble and  filled  with  distress,  was  duly  received,  and  read  with  thrill- 
ing interest.  *  *  ♦  Before  I  had  done  reading  it,  a 
solemn  and  sinking  feeling  took  hold  of  my  heart,  different  from 
anything  I  ever  experienced  before,  when  reading  one  of  his  com- 
munications, and  I  remarked : — '  Brother  Marks  has  about  done 
his  work  ;  he  is  going  from  his  labors  to  rewards.' 

On  the  22d  inst.,  a  brother  came  from  Dover,  and  said  that  on 
the  Sabbath  previous,  Elder  Perkins,  who  preaches  to  the  first  Free- 
will Baptist  church,  named  to  the  congregation  that  brother  Marks 
was  dead ! !  O  what  reflections  !  O  what  a  thrilling  shock  it  gave 
me !  and  I  replied  in  David's  words ;  '  Know  ye  not  that  a  great 
man  has  fallen  in  Israel  ?'  Yesterday,  as  myself  and  wife  were 
alone  in  our  house,  seeing  the  mail  pass,  she  went  to  the  Post  Office 
and  got  our  papers.  In  came  the  Morning  Star,  all  in  deep  mourn- 
ing. She  commenced  reading  to  me  and  weeping.  I  then  took  the 
paper,  and  read  and  wept,  and  wept  and  read,  and  even  rejoiced, 
withal,  that  he  who  had  been  so  strong  in  faith,  and  abundant  in 
labors,  had  been  so  happy  and  victorious  in  death ;  and  although 
he  fell  a  martyr  (as  did  Randall  and  Colby)  to  his  zeal  for  the 
Lord  of  Hosts,  he  has  gone  to  receive  that  reward  which  all  have 
received  who  have  truly  laid  down  their  lives  for  Christ.  I  thought 
of  our  first  acquaintance — our  hearts  had  ever  been  united  like  the 
hearts  of  David  and  Jonathan.  Again,  I  thought  of  the  time  when  he 
and  brother  Beede,  with  myself,  composed  the  committee  to  draft  the 
plan  of  our  Book  Establishment.  They  are  gone.  I  shall  soon 
follow.  I  thought  of  his  address  to  the  members  of  the  last  Gen- 
eral Conference,  at  Plainfield,  at  its  close,  when  coming  down  out 
of  the  desk,  with  tears  flowing  over  his  manly  cheeks.  But  I  will 
say  no  more  about  my  own  reflections. 

My  dear  sister,  you  have  abundant  reason  to  thank  God  that  you 
have  been  permitted  to  live  with  His  faithful  servant  some  sixteen 
years,  and  that  you  now  have  such  an  interest  in  heaven,  and  at- 


1  1 


i^  :  I 


(  \ 


'. 


500 


MEMOIRS    Of 


tachment  to  that  heavenly  world  as  you  never  had  before.  O  I 
do  sympathize  with  you  and  your  adopted  daughter,  as  well  as  with 
the  whole  denomination,  who,  as  a  general  thing,  will  be  like  their 
religious  paper,  all  in  mourning.  *  *  #  *  You 
will,  no  doubt,  in  due  time,  prepare  a  second  volume  of  brother 
Marks*  Narrative,  and  should  the  book  not  be  too  expensive,  but 
HO  low  that  about  all  may  obtain  it,  it  will  have  an  extensive  circula- 
tion, and  my  dear  brother  by  it,  though  dead,  will  yet  speak,  to  the 
conversion  of  sinners,  to  the  comforting  of  saints,  and  the  awaken- 
ing and  stirring  up  of  the  ministry.  We  must  all  be  more  faithful,  more 
devoted.  I  intend  to  be,  for  one,  by  God's  help,  and  so  aid  in  making 
up  Zion's  loss.  My  opinion  is,  that,  eventually,  God  will  overrule 
our  dear  brother's  death  to  the  interests  of  his  church.  Let  us  re- 
member the  words  he  spake  unto  us  while  he  was  yet  with  us. 

The  kindness  of  Professor  Finney  and  others  at  Oberlin  to 
brother  Marks  will  be  gratefully  remembered  by  every  true  Free- 
will Baptist. 

Very  affectionately  your  brother  in  tribulation, 

E.  Place." 

(From  the  New  Year's  Address  in  the  Morning  Star,  written  by  Elder  A.  K.  Moulton  of 
Portland,  Me.,  one  of  the  associate  editors.] 

"  Some  of  the  early  patrons  of  the  Star  have  gone  forever :  and 
one,  whose  name  is  dear  to  all — oiie,  who  helped  to  warm  it  into 
life,  and  whose  '  light'  has  been  from  week  to  week  emitted  through 
the  Star,  and  who  has  labored  almost  incessantly  to  sustain  it, 
whose  sentiments  have  assisted  in  no  small  degree  to  give  a  tone  to 
our  beloved  denomination,  whose  voice  has  gladdened  her  assem- 
blies, and  whose  counsels  have  added  to  her  prosperity,  has  gone  to 
his  reward." 

[From  the  pastor  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  church  in  Roxbury,  Mass.,  formerly  a  Tutor  in 

Oberlin  College.] 

Roxbury,  Jan.  5,  1846. 
Dear  sister  Marks : — "We  received  your  letter  a  week  or  two 
since,  containing  the  sad  news  of  brother  Marks'  death.  What  shall 
I  say  ?  How  shall  i  express  the  feelings  which  have  not  yet  be- 
gun to  die  away  in  my  heart  ?  Our  dear  brother  Marks  is  gone ! 
But  O  what  a  death  !  How  gloriously  triumphant !  As  I  read 
the  account  of  his  last  sickness,  I  could  only  read  and  weep,  and 
weep  and  read.  Never  did  the  fountain  of  my  soul  seem  to  be  so 
broken  up.  I  cannot  call  it  to  mind  without  renewing  the  flow 
of  tears — mingled  tears  of  joy  and  grief;  nor  without  recollecting 
many  things  in  my  acquaintance  with  brother  Marks.  Especially 
does  it  bring  to  mind  the  first  time  that  I  heard  him  preach,  and 
the  second.     [I  heard  him  only  three  times.]    I  had  read  his 


of 


I 


DAVID    BIABK8. 


501 


'Narrative/  and  regarded  many  of  the  statements  contained  In  it, 
respecting  the  effect  whicli  ahnost  always  attended  his  preaching, 
as  utterly  unaccountable ;  but  when  I  heard  him  the  fii-st  time, 
which  was  but  eighteen  months  since,  [at  Lagrange,  Ohio.  Ed.] 
my  inci*edulity  entirely  vanished.  It  was  a  communion  season, 
and  his  subject  was  the  Lord's  Supper.  It  seemed  to  me  that  my 
soul  was  but  a  vessel  of  tears.  I  stifled  my  sobs,  until  I  could  not 
refrain  from  weeping  aloud.  It  was  so  with  many.  He  possessed 
a  peculiar  power  to  reach  the  fountain  of  sympathy  within  the 
heart.  Thus  it  was  to  nearly  an  equal  degree  the  second  time  I 
heard  him  preach,  three  months  afterward.  Is  it  possible  that  he 
is  gone  ?  O !  can  it  be  ?  Dear  sister,  I  would  not  harrow  ui> 
your  feelings,  but  you  will  allow  me  to  weep  with  you.  It  seems 
as  if  it  could  not  be .  that  I  should  no  more  see  brother  Marks 
nor  hear  from  his  lips,  the  melting  truths  of  Calvary.  Had  I  sup- 
posed that  he  would,  ere  this,  have  gone  down  to  the  gi  ave,  I  should 
not  so  soon  have  hurried  away,  when  I  was  at  your  house  in  August 
last.  Yes,  it  is  indeed  true.  I  shall  no  more  see  my  beloved  broth- 
er durmg  all  the  pilgrimage  of  earth.  But  surely  there  is  another 
magnet  to  draw  us  heavenward ;  and  yet  how  shall  we  do  without 
him  ?  "We  shall  deeply  feel  his  loss  for  many  years.  But  espec- 
ially shall  I.  To  few  persons  during  my  life,  have  I  felt  so  strong 
a  personal  attachment  as  to  brother  Marks.  His  was  one  of  the 
warmest  hearts  that  ever  beat  in  the  bosom  of  man,  and  one  of  the 
most  generous.  His  was  no  suspicious,  half-confiding  friendship, 
but  whole-souled,  unsuspecting.  If  I  mourned  only  my  individual 
loss  it  would  be  irreparable.  But  again,  I  revert  to  the  glorious 
death-bed  triumph.  Would  that  the  infidel  world  could  have  been 
there,  *  to  see  how  a  Christian  can  die.*  Die !  It  is  not  death !  It 
is  but  the  budding  forth  of  eternal  life.  Nor  is  such  a  triumph  a 
miracle.  It  is  only  an  exhibition,  (such  as  might  be  common,)  of 
the  power  of  that  full  salvation  which  the  gospel  proffers,  and 
which  was  the  theme  of  brother  Marks'  delightful  contemplation. 
My  last  conversation  with  him  was  upon  this  point.  Even  then 
the  smiles  of  heaven,  beaming  from  his  face,  spoke  of  a  peace  that 
passeth  all  understanding,  and  of  joys  that  are  unspeakable  and 
FULL  OF  GLORY !  Ncver  can  I  forget  the  expression  of  his  coun- 
tenance on  that  day.  O  I  would  have  been  glad  to  have  stood  by 
him  in  the  hour  of  his  victory.  Yours,  dear  sister,  has  been  a  pe- 
culiar privilege.  You  were  near  him  to  hear  his  words  of  glorious 
triumph. 

A  week  ago  yesterday,  I  preached  a  sermon  to  my  congregation 
on  the  occasion  of  brother  Marks'  death,  from  Psalms  41:1 — 3 ; 
and  read  most  of  your  diary  in  connection  with  my  discourse.  The 
impression  made,  seemed  to  be  deep  and  solemn.     Sobbing  was 


\^' 


i 


502 


MEMOIRS    OF 


heanl  through  all  the  house.  I  tlo  not  know  but  it  will  he  true 
that  brother  Marks  will  be  found  in  the  day  of  judgment  to  have 
slain  more  in  his  death  than  he  did  during  his  life.  1  feel  to  con- 
secrate myself  anew  to  the  ministry  ;  and  well  may  the  mi'iister  of 
the  cross,  in  view  of  such  a  scene,  exclaim,  'lam  not  ashamed  of 
the  gospel  of  Christ,  for  it  is  the  wisdom  and  the  power  of  God 
unto  salvation,  to  every  one  that  believeth.*  *  #  *  * 
*  *  You  have  the  prayers  and  sympathies  of  hundreds 
here,  both  those  who  have  personally  known  you  and  those  who 
have  not. 

From  your  sympathizing  brother  in  Christ, 

Edmund  B.  Fairfield. 

IFrom  the  Morning  Star,  written  by  tlie  paHtnr  of  the  Free-will  Oaptiist  church  in  Bos- 
ton, Mass,  tbrmerly  a  missionary  to  India.] 

"  Elder  Marks.     AVeek  before  Inst  I  took  the  Oberlin  Evan- 
gelist out  of  the  otTice,  and  the  first  thing  that  caught  my  eye  was 
the  funeral  sermon  of  this  devoted  and  eminently  useful  brother 
I  shut  myself  up  alone,  and  read  and  wept  almost  all  day.     O  wha 
a  triumphant  death  I     Brother  Marks  died  not  only  a  Christian,  bu 
a  MAN,  a  full  grown  man.     If  ever  there  was  any  vl.ing  like 
clearness  and  strength  of  intellect,  we  find  it  in  him  to  ihe  very 
last.     Who  ever  heard  of  an  infidel,  a  heathen,  or  a  man  of  the 
world,  dying  as  brother  Marks  did  ? 

On  the  following  Sabbath  I  preached  from  the  words,  *  Precious 
in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his  saints ;'  and,  at  the 
close  of  my  discourse,  read  sister  Marks'  journal  of  her  husband's 
last  days.  It  was  a  solemn  and  affecting  time.  A  few  days  af- 
ter, when  brother  Marks'  farewell  address  t^  the  denomination, 
and  his  discourse  to  the  students  of  Oberlin,  oame  out  in  the  Star, 
I  expected,  of  course,  to  find  but  a  few  disconnected  sentences  from 
a  dying  man  ;  but  when  I  found  him  reasoning  as  clearly  and  for- 
cibly as  ever  I  knew  him  to  do  when  in  health,  I  could  but  glorify 
God,  who  had  given  such  gifts  to  men.  In  brother  Marks,  our 
denomination  has  lost  one  of  its  pillars — A  great  man  has  fallen  in 
our  Isrnel;  but  we  are  honored  by  bavin  iw  si^^'h  a  hero  of  the  cross 
in  heaven.  I  hope  an  able  hand  will  assist  sister  Marks  in  collect- 
ing the  materials  and  preparing  a  complete  memoir  of  his  life. 
Certainly  no  book  will  be  in  greater  demand  throughout  our  de- 
nomination.       *         #        *        *  El  J  Notes. 

Boston,  Jan.  12,  1846." 

Subsequently  he  wrote : — 

"  Dear  sister — I  scarcely  know  what  to  say.  Your  loss  is  great, 
but  how  can  you  grieve  ?     A  mind  so  fitted  for  glory  ought  not  to 


DAVID  MARKS. 


ro3 


have  been  longer  confined  in  a  human  body.  O  what  would  any 
of  us  give,  to  be  where  brother  IMarks  is  to  day  !  I  well  rcnum- 
ber  the  first  evening  I  ever  spent  with  yourself  and  husband.  It 
was  at  the  house  of  Deacon  Hutchinson  in  Fayette,  Me.  He 
spoke  to  me  about  going  to  India.  Ever  since  that  time,  you  have 
both  been  near  and  dear  to  my  heart.  I  hope,  dear  sister,  you 
will  have  gi'ace  to  enable  you  to  bear  all  trials  imposed  upon  you 
by  a  kind  Parent,  and  that  you  will  have  friends  in  every  time  of 
need.         *         *         *         Thine  in  the  Lord, 

Eli  Noyes." 

[From  the  Morning  Star,  written  by  an  nged  niiniHter  | 

*         *         *  "In  the  above  mentioned  meeting,  [a  two 

days  meeting  in  Savannah,  Crusoe  Island,  N.  Y.,]  I  preached  a  funer- 
al sermon  on  the  death  of  our  late  departed  brother,  Polder  David 
Markr.  I  first  read  his  last  address  to  the  connexion,  then  preach- 
ed a  short  discourse  from  Hebrews  11:13.  'These  all  died  in 
faith,'  &c.  I  think  it  was  a  profitable  time.  It  was  but  a  few 
miles  from  this  place,  that  he  experienced  the  reality  of  that  Scrip- 
ture, *  They  that  seek  me  early  shall  find  me.'  Yes,  and  on  the 
marsh  that  lies  along  this  island,  is  the  place  where  he  went  to 
work  on  the  canal  to  get  money  with  which  to  buy  his  first  gram- 
mar. Here  I  imagined  I  saw  the  drunken  Catholics,  giving  him 
their  sympathies,  and  contributing  to  relieve  him  from  further  toil ; 
yes,  and  near  this  runs  on  the  pleasant  stream,  where  he  followed 
his  Divine  Lord  in  the  ordinance  of  baptism ;  and  near  here  he 
received  his  first  license  to  preach.  While  these  things  were  pass- 
ing in  review,  they  had  a  powerful  effect  on  myself  and  on  the 
crowded  audience,  who  had  gathered  through  a  tedious  storm. 
Glory  to  God,  for  his  triumphant  death.  I  think  his  doings  and 
sayings  in  his  dying  day  will  do  more  than  all  he  has  done  in  his 
life,  for  this  was  the  crowning  day  of  all  his  labor :  Glory  to  God. 
I  never  knew  how  much  I  loved  him  till  now.  How  often  we  have 
wept,  and  prayed,  and  eaten  together,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord — 
and  now  his  body  lies  cold  and  dead  at  Oberlin !  But  I  shall  soon 
shake  hands  with  him  or  see  him  in  a  fairer  world  on  high,  for  I 
feel  that  I  am  doing  my  last  work.     Farewell. 

Samuel  Wire." 

[From  the  pastor  of  the  Free-will  Baptist  church  in  Manchester,  N.  H.] 

Manchester,  Jan.  16,  1846. 
Dear  sister  Marks: — Your  sad  letter  came  to  us  Dec.  1 9th,  in- 
forming us  of  the  death  of  your  dear  husband,  our  beloved  broth- 
er Marks.  O !  it  was  very  sad  and  painful  news  to  us.  Can  it  be 
possible  that  we  shall  see  him  no  more  on  earth !  Both  myself  and 
wife  weep  and  deeply  sympathize  with  you  in  your  great  loss. 


o04 


1IE1I0IB8  OF 


Brother  Marks'  chnrncter  was  no  ordinnry  one.  With  a  mind  deep- 
ly engrossed  with  great  plans  for  the  promotion  of  the  cause  of 
Christ,  he  united  the  khidest  sympathies  and  most  tender  ofTeetion 
for  his  friends. 

You  know  we  both  loved  and  highly  esteemed  your  dear  hus- 
band ;  and  from  my  long  and  intiniat(>  acquaintance  with  him,  be- 
ing associated  with  him  on  the  Publishing  Committee,  and  witness- 
ing his  deep  devotion  to  the  interests  of  our  denomination,  as  M'ell 
as  the  cause  generally,  I  became  greatly  attached  to  him,  and  I  know 
of  no  minister  among  our  beloved  brethren,  whom  I  regarded  with 
greateraffection.  I  wish  I  could  have  seen  him  in  his  last  sickness, 
llad  I  known  he  was  to  be  taken  from  us  so  soon,  1  thuik  I  should  have 
visited  Oberlin,  that  I  might  have  been  with  him  in  his  last  moments 
and  witnessed  his  triumphant  death.  My  heart  is  full,  I  can  write  no 
more.  May  the  Lord  direct  and  sustain  you  in  your  severe  trial 
and  afHietion. 

Respectfully,  your  brotlier  in  Christ, 

Daniel  P.  Cilley, 

[From  a  Congregationallit  lady,  fbrmerly  of  Oberlla.] 

Lawrence,  Van  Buren  Co.  Mich.,  Jan.  18, 1846. 
My  dear  sister  Marks : — Brotlier  J ,  a  graduate  of  Oberlin  In- 
stitute, informed  me  that  he  had  heard  through  the  Evangelist  of  your 
dear  husband's  death.  This  was  indeed  painful  intelligence  to  us.  My 
husband  was  deeply  affected  as  well  as  myself.  Brother  Marks 
was  very  dear  to  us.  We  have  loved  to  review  the  pleasant  sea- 
sons spent  with  him,  and  dwell  upon  the  wholesome  admonition  and 
sweet  counsel  we  have  often  received  from  his  lips.  But,  although 
we  were  deeply  grieved  to  hear  that  our  dear  sister  was  left  with- 
out a  companion  in  this  vale  of  tears,  still  we  could  but  rejoice  that 
our  brother  was  at  rest.  He  has  lived  a  life  of  toil,  of  pain,  and 
suffering.  He  has  been  a  means,  in  his  Master's  hand,  of  winning 
many  souls  to  Christ,  and  who  sliall  say  that  in  taking  him  hence, 
and  laying  him  low  in  the  tomb,  God  hath  not  done  all  things  well. 
*****  Husband  has  just  returned  from  the  sanctuary, 
says  there  was  no  preaching,  and  as  one  of  our  neighbors  had  re- 
ceived the  Morning  Star  containing  the  account  of  your  dear  com- 
panion's death,  they  proposed  that  husband  should  read  brother 
Finney's  sermon  and  brother  Marks'  farewell  address.  He  said 
he  tried  to  do  so,  but  was  so  much  affected  that  he  could  only  read 
brother  Finney's  sermon,  and  a  part  of  the  extracts.  There  are 
several  here  who  liave  heard  brother  Marks  preach,  and  it  was,  no 
doubt,  more  interesting  to  them  than  any  thing  else  would  have 
been. 


*<, 


DAVID   MARKS. 


505 


It  must  have  been  a  very  in 'cresting  sight  to  «ee  your  husband 
iuniphing  so  gloriously  in  the  arms  of  death.  Surely,  my  dear 
sister,  you  have  abundant  reason  to  rejoice  that  in  his  sickness  ancl 
death,  Gotl  was  so  greatly  glorified.  I  have,  in  imagination,  pic- 
tured to  myself  the  trying  hour  wlien  he  departed,  and  it  luus  secm- 
«'d  to  me,  that  it  must  have  been  a  scene  well  worthy  the  atten- 
tion of  angels,  and  one  upon  which  Christians  could  gjize  with 
great  delight.  Truly,  in  life  and  death  he  glorified  his  Heavenly 
Father,  and  we  should  not  wish  him  here  to  suffer  again.  Still  I 
itnow  you  must  feel  his  loss  very  deeply.  You  have  so  long  had 
such  anxious  care  for  him,  and  formed  all  your  plans  of  life  in  ref- 
erence to  him,  that  I  am  sure  you  must  miss  him  every  where. 
******  But  thus  it  is,  our  dear  Heav- 
enly Father  cuts  asunder  one  tie  after  another  that  unites  our  af- 
fections to  earth,  until  at  last  we  feel  that  verily  this  is  not  our 
abiding  house,  and  here  is  no  rest.         *         «         «        #         ♦ 

Your  truly  affectionate  sister, 

O.  Thompson. 

(From  the  pastor  of  the  Free-will  Baptlit  church  In  Rldgeway,  N.  V.] 

January  20,  1846. 
Afflicted  sister : — Your  letter  addressed  to  me,  dictated  by  your 
husband,  our  dear  brother,  in  his  last  illness,  did  not  come  to  hand 
until  we  received  the  sad  news  of  his  death.  ♦  «  *  * 
The  untiring  efforts  of  our  much  esteemed  and  lamented  brother 
Marks  in  the  cause  of  Grod,  and  his  devotion  to  the  interests  of  our 
denomination,  are  too  well  known,  and  too  generally  acknowledged, 
to  need  comment  by  myself.  I  read  with  deep  interest,  the  ac- 
count of  his  last  illness  and  his  triumphant  death,  and  while  I  could 
but  weep  for  departed  worth,  I  felt  stimulated  to  new  vigor  in  the 
cause  of  Grod.  I  read  his  address  delivered  to  the  students  and 
people  at  Oberlin  to  my  congregation.  It  is  needless  to  say  it  was 
listened  to  with  deep  interest.        »  »  ♦  »  jyjj^y 

you  be  sustained  in  your  deep  affliction. 

With  due  respect,  your  brother, 

H.  Oilman. 

IFrom  the  wife  of  Elder  P.  W.  Belknap.] 

Boston,  N.  Y.  Feb.  10, 1846. 
My  dear  afflicted  sister  Marks: — *  It  is  all  over !  It  is  past !'  0 
how  these  words  thrilled  and  vibrated  through  my  whole  soul,  as 
my  dear  husband  tremblingly  opened  and  hastily  read  from  your 
affecting  letter.  I  anticipated  the  sequel.  I  knew  the  arrow  had 
flown,  and  the  spirit  of  your  much  loved  husband  was  gone  I  gone  I 
gone !  I  had  feared  this  might  be  the  next  intelligence  wt  should 
have,  yet  I  was  unprepared  to  receive  it.  I  had  anxiously  hoped 
43 


■w 


i 


506 


MBM0IB8  OF 


tlutt  the  severing  blow  might  a  little  longer  be  withheld,  ami 
your  dear  companion  spared  to  comfort  you,  and  bless  our  beloved 
Zion.  But,  my  dear  sister,  it  is  God  who  has  done  it,  and  in  the 
glorious  and  triumphant  death  of  your '  now  angel  husband,'  how 
much  of  his  salvation  has  been  exhibited.  O,  I  praise  God,  that 
you  have  been  enabled  to  realize  it,  und  notwithstanding  the  inde- 
scribable loneliness  which  ever  and  anon  sweeps  over  your  smitten 
heart,  I  trust  you  still  prove  God's  grace  sufficient  for  you.  Not  a 
hair  of  your  head  can  fall  without  his  notice.  O  how  safe  to  tru!«t 
in  such  an  Almighty  arm !  Precious  resting  place  !  Mr.  Belknap 
received  your  mournful  letter  the  Saturday  after  it  was  written.  He 
appeared  very  solemn,  but  did  not  inform  me  of  it  till  after  sup- 
per, when  he  opened  and  read.  We  had  company.  Our  feelings 
you  can  faintly  imagine.  Sighs  and  tears  flowed  profusely.  And 
then  that  memorable  Star  that  came  to  us  in  robes  of  widowhood ! 
O  what  feelings  it  awakened !  Mr.  Belknap  said  he  had  been 
looking  for  it,  and  thought  he  was  prepared  to  receive  it — yet 
when  it  came  to  hand,  his  feelings  were  indescrib  ble  and  almost 
imcontroUable.  He  endeavored  to  make  use  of  it  for  the  good  of  his 
weeping  flock,  some  of  whom  were  brought  into  the  fold  through 
the  faithful  labors  of  your  companion.  O  the  awful  grandeur  of 
that  solemn  moment,  in  which,  from  your  own  arms,  your  earthly 
all  was  yielded  back  into  the  arms  of  the  Giver.  Doubtless 
God  and  angels  admired,  as  the  still  dark  wave  bore  him  away  to 
the  other  side  of  Jordan.  Often  in  my  fancy  have  I  traced  your 
quiet  step  from  one  apartment  to  another  of  yom*  peaceful  yet 
lonely  abode,  and  heard  the  suppressed  sigh,  as  you  saw — here,  liis 
long  loved  library  filled  with  marks  from  his  own  pencil  as  emphat- 
ic sentences  caught  his  penetrating  eye — there,  a  garment  left  on- 
ly to  tell,  'He  is  gone!' — ^yonder,  hit,  *able  spread  with  valuable 
papers,  filed  and  bound  with  his  own  hand,  together  with  Ids  sta- 
tionery, invaluable  letters  to  yourself,  &c.,  all  mournfully  respond- 
ing, '  He  is  not  here  !'  01  seem  even  now  to  hear  his  melting 
strains,  as  he  prayed  for  us  when  we  last  visited  you.  Shall  I 
never  again  hear  his  mild  voice  ?  But  forgive,  sister,  I  did  not 
mean  to  make  your  full  heart  bleed  afresh.  Hark"!  I  hear  a  voice 
fi-om  the  Lord,  saying :  *  Write,  blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in 
the  Lord  from  henceforth ;  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may 
rest  from  their  labors,  and  their  vforks  do  follow  them.*  Your  *  an- 
gel husband*  rests ! — ^but  his  works  follow  him.  Mr.  Belknap,  a 
few  days  since,  followed  one  of  his  brothers  to  the  grave,  who  was 
converted  through  your  husband's  labors,  when  a  lone  youth  he 
was  travelling  in  western  New  York,  warning  sinners  to  flee  the 
wrath  trt  eome.  Methinks  as  his  spirit  entered  glory,  another  star 
IB  adde4^1o^„yoiir  sainted  husband's  crown,  while  seraphs  sing, 


V 


•*•.■■ 


W^} 


DAVID   MARKS. 


607 


ami 
)ved 
the 
how 
that 
nde- 
tten 
ot  a 
rust 


*  Their  works  do  follow  them.'  And  does  his  work  now  cease  ? 
No.  It  goes  on,  and  will  continue  to  go  on,  widening  and  deep- 
ening, shedding  a  hallowed  influence  upon  each  successive  genera- 
tion to  the  latest  period  of  time,  while  he  continues  to  shine  as  a 
magnificent  star  forever  and  ever.  And  do  you  not,  my  dear  sis- 
ter, feel  that  even  now  he  may  be  doing,  as  he  desired,  the  work 
of  a  guardian  ang*»!,  ministering  unto  you  in  lone  widowhood? 
To  deprive  m"  cf  the  belief  that  I  enjoy  this  boon  of  love,  would 
be  to  df]jrixc  me  of  one  of  the  most  soothing  cordials  (aside  from 
l''C  smiles  of  my  Heavenly  Father)  that  has  ever  been  adminis- 
tered to  me,  since  the  angel  of  death  commenced  his  desolations 
among  my  choice  ones.  Often,  when  afflicted,  have  I  seemed  to 
hear  their  sweet  voices,  saying, '  Sister,  daughter,  do  not  weep ! 
life's  night  will  soon  be  past,  and  then  we'll  welcome  your  spirit  to 
the  home  of  the  blessed.' 

I  have  read  your  letter  again  and  again  to  those  who  have  call- 
ed. The  stranger  has  wept,  while  the  conviction  of  the  reality  of 
the  Christian's  hope,  and  its  supporting  power  under  such  a  be- 
reavement, has  evidently  fastened  upon  his  mind.  *  *  * 
Your  friends,  from  New  England  to  the  far  west,  are  very  numer- 
ous, and  they  will  not,  cannot  forget  you.  No,  no,  so  long  as  one 
of  our  denomination  remains,  the  labore  of  your  departed  husband 
will  be  held  in  sacred  remembrance.  *  »  »  *  # 
Your  welfare,  dear  sister,  interests  our  deepest  sympathies.  Per- 
mit me  again  to  say,  don't  yield  to  despondency.  Farewell. 
Your  ever  affectionate  and  sympathizing  sister, 

C.  A.  Belknap. 

[Prom  Miss  Bmily  A.  P.  Wlnsor,  R.  I.] 

Greenville,  Feb.  18,  184C. 
My  dear  sister : — The  press  announces  your  severe  bereave- 
ment, and  though  I  know  you  have  all  the  consolation  that  one 
could  have  who  had  lost  a  friend,  still  your  loss  is  great.  But  great 
as  is  this  loss  to  you  and  all  Elder  Marks'  immediate  family,  it  is 
greater  to  a  dying  world ;  and  for  this  reason  I  particularly  mourn 
his  departure.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th  inst.,  my  dear  mother 
communicated  the  news  of  your  husband's  death — much  overcome. 
It  was  to  her  almost  insupportable.  He  had  not,  I  presume,  a 
warmer  friend,  than  my  mother.  She  asked,  '  "Was  he  not  the 
most  remarkable  man  you  ever  knew  ?'  I  can  truly  answer,  '  Yes,' 
and  repeat  in  my  grand-father's  words,  [Judge  Foster.  Ed.]  '  Elder 
Marks'  Journal  was  the  most  remarkable  Journal  I  ever  read.'  My 
brother  William,  though  a  little  boy,  read  it  aloud  to  the  family 
evening  afler  evening,  until  he  had  read  the  whole.  *  ,        * 

*         *  "\Yere  I  acquainted  with  Professor  Finney,  I 


4 


608 


MEMOIRS    OF 


:-^ 


would  send  to  him  my  heartfelt  thanks  for  his  attentions  to  Elder 
Marks,  one  of  my  dearest  Christian  friends.  I  love  to  dwell  upon 
his  memory.  I  have  not  a  relative  deceased,  who  was  so  endeared 
to  me,  and  to  whom  I  owed  so  much.  Emily. 

[From  Elder  Joseph  B.  Davis.] 

Jamaica  Plains,  April  20,  1846. 

Dear  sister  in  Christ : — The  storm  ha»  passed — the  trial  is  over 
— the  active,  energetic  spirit  of  your  husband,  our  beloved  brother, 
and  God's  faithful  servant,  has  finished  its  earthly  course,  accom- 
plished its  work  and  entered  into  rest.  We  are  sorry  for  you,  Ave 
mourn  for  our  denomination,  and  the  world,  that  death's  dark  clou«l 
should  blot  out  his  full-orbed  sun  of  usefulness  in  its  glorious  noon- 
day, from  our  dark  world.  But  we  are  glad  that  death  could  neith- 
er darken  nor  obscure  those  brilliant  and  glorious  rays,  which  shone 
forth  with  such  heavenly  splendor,  in  his  last  clear  and  peaceful 
moments — rays,  which  even  now  gild  our  moral  heavens,  and  wliich 
must  continue  to  shine  while  the  church  exists  or  the  world  stands. 
He  is  dead,  yet  speaketh — gone,  yet  here — ^although  in  heaven,  he 
lives  and  works  among  us.  He  indeed  was  a  peculiar  man,  sent 
to  a  peculiar  people,  in  a  peculiar  time,  to  accomplish  a  peculiar 
work.  He  has  done  it  in  haste,  and  gone,  and  left  us  gazing  after 
liim. 

Your  husband  possessed  a  strong,  deep,  clear,  original,  well  cul- 
tivated mind,  and  most  severely  disciplined ;  cultivated  and  disci- 
plined alone  for  the  cause  of  Christ,  in  which  he  was  always  over- 
active. His  style,  arrangement,  and  manner  of  deliveiy,  were  pe- 
culiarly his  own.  His  easy  unaffected  manners,  always  accompan- 
ied with  great  simplicity,  and  his  warm  gushing  heart,  overflowing 
with  kind  feelings,  could  never  fail  to  secure  the  love  of  those 
blessed  with  his  society.  His  time,  talents,  and  all  his  energies, 
were  laid  upon  the  altar  of  his  God,  and  he  was  most  emphatically 
wedded  to  the  people  among  whom  God  sent  him  to  labor.  With 
them  he  identified  himself  and  his  earthly  all.  *  *  *  * 
Your  brother  in  Christ,  J.  B.  Davis. 

[From  the  President  of  Oberlin  Collegiate  Institute,  to  a  friend  in  Hartford,  Ct.| 

*  *  *  *  ■«  I  will  give  you  a  few  facts  pertaining  to  the 
character  of  Elder  Marks,  in  the  estimation,  not  only  of  his  own, 
but  of  other  denominations  of  Christians.  1.  His  natural  talents 
were  altogether  above  the  ordinary  stamp.  This  is  evinced  by  t''ie 
fact  that,  though  he  commenced  his  ministry  when  very  young, 
and  with  little  education,  he  at  once  acquired  a  commanding  in- 
fluence as  a  preacher  and  as  a  man,  which  influence  continued  to 
increase  till  the  close  of  his  ministry.  2.  In  labors  in  the  cause  of 
Christ,  he  was  more  abundant  than  any  man  I  ever  knew.  3.  In 
the  midst  of  ^e  most  arduous  and  unremitted  labors,  he  was  a  pre- 


■* 


% 


-1P" 


DAVID   HARKS. 


509 


eminently  studious  man.  Even  when  walking  or  riding,  he  had 
i-ome  useful  book  or  publication  in  hand,  wliich  he  was  continuously 
reading,  and  few  I  believe  could  give  a  better  account  of  what  tliey 
had  been  reading  than  he.  No  hour  with  him,  during  his  waking 
momenta,  was  idly  spent.  4.  In  respect  to  his  Christian  character, 
its  prominent  features  were  pure  ntcgrity,  benevolence,  self-forget- 
ful devotion  to  doing  good,  and  an  enlarged  and  tender  philanthro- 
py.  I  should  mention  other  characteristics  did  my  space  permit. 
t>ure  I  am,  that  the  above  is  not  an  overdrawn  picture.  Such 
would  be  the  verdict  of  all  the  friends  of  our  common  Lord  of  every 
name  who  knew  Elder  Marks.  His  works  will  follow  him,  and 
his  Memoirs,  I  doubt  not,  descend  as  a  sweet  savor  to  distant  gen- 
erations. 

Yours  with  much  esteem,  A.  Mahan. 

The  following  Resolutions  hai'e  passed  hy  different  Associations 

of  Churchss. 

(Gxeter  quarterly  meeting,  in  the  state  of  Maine,  at  its  January  session,  1846.] 

"  Resolved,  That  the  labors,  life,  and  devotion  of  the  late  Elder 
David  Marks,  to  promote  the  interests  of  our  beloved  Zion,  and 
the  cause  of  God  generally,  and  his  triumphant  death,  should 
stimulate  us,  as  a  people,  to  devote  our  lives,  with  all  we  have  and 
are,  to  the  cause  of  God,  and  should  strengtlien  our  confidence  in 
the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ,  as  being  an  antidote  for  all  the  ills  of 
this  inconstant  life,  affordmg  support  to  the  afflicted,  sustaining  the 
dying,  and  preparing  the  soul  for  immortal  glory  beyond  this  vale 
of  tears." 

[London  quarterly  meeting,  Upper  Canada,  ut  its  January  session,  1846.] 

"  Resolved,  That  this  Conference  deeply  sympathize  with  the 
bereaved  widow  and  the  Free-will  Baptist  connexion  in  the  loss 
they  have  /astained  by  the  death  of  our  brother,  Elder  Marks." 

[Geauga  quarterly  meeting,  Ohio,  at  its  February  session,  1846.] 

"  Resolved,  That  we  deeply  feel  the  loss  we  have  sustained  in 
our  denomination  by  the  death  of  our  dear  brother.  Elder  David 
Marks,  and  feel  in  our  hearts  to  sympathize  with  our  dear  sister  in 
the  loss  of  her  liusband.  And  we  feel  called  upon,  by  this  provi- 
dence, to  consecrate  ourselves  anew  to  the  cause  of  God,  and  seek 
tliat  holiness  of  heart  that  rendered  him  an  efficient  laborer,  and 
carried  him  triumphantly  over  the  Jordan  of  death." 

[New  Hampshire  yearly  meeting,  at  its  June  session,  1846.] 

*'  A^Tiereas,  since  we  last  met  in  yearly  meeting,  we  have  been 
called  to  record  the  death  of  our  late  beloved  brother,  Elder  David 
Marks,  who  has  labored  much  for  our  denomination,  and  more  in 
this  yearly  meeting  than  any  other  excepting  the  Holland  Purchase, 
Therefore, 
43* 


610 


MEMOIRS   OF 


Resolved,  That  in  his  death  the  connexion  has  sustained  a  great 
and  painful  loss. 

Resolved,  That  we  are  thankful  for  the  efforts  now  being  made 
for  publishing  the  Memoirs  of  brother  Marks,  that  we  may  be  fa- 
vored with  his  wisdom  and  experience ;  and  are  happy  to  see 
the  subscription  for  that  work  so  large  and  still  mcreasing." 


From  the  Morning  Star. 
To  the  Memory  of  Elder  David  Marks. 

Alas !  alas  !  and  can  it  be,  that  thou  art  with  the  dead  I 
That  thou,  from  all  who  loved  thee  here,  hast  like  a  vision  fled  ! 
Ah  !  little  deemed  we  that  so  soon,  the  shadows  of  the  tomb 
Should  shroud  thy  glorious  noon-day  sun  in  everlasting  gloom — 
That  thou  in  life's  high  prime  shouldst  fall,  as  a  tempest-riven  tree, 
Ah  !  little  deemed  we  that  so  soon  the  grave  would  shelter  thee  \ 

Ere,  in  thy  sky  the  golden  tints  of  morning  all  were  dead. 
Or  fiom  thy  path,  its  balmy  dew  or  fragrant  breath  had  fled, 
Thou,  with  a  willing  heart  didst  turn,  from  earthly  snares  away, 
And  on  the  altar  of  thy  God,  thyself  an  offering  lay  ; 
And  like  the  Hebrew  prophet,  thou  didst  early  learn  to  know 
Jehovah's  voice,  though  it  were  heard  in  whispers  soft  and  low. 

'Tis  but  as  yesterday,  we  saw  thy  kindled  brow  and  eye. 

As  thou,  with  steady  hand,  did'st  bear  the  gospel  banner  high  ; 

And  on  the  stormy  battle-field,  when  Zion's  foes  were  near, 

Wert  cheering  on  the  scattered  hosts, — thy  cheek  unblanched  with     , 

fear; 
For  thou,  with  heaven-wrought  panoply,  did'st  arm  thee  for  the  strife. 
Prepared  for  Jesus'  sake  to  spend  thy  honor,  and  thy  life. 

How  often  has  thy  warning  voice  been  here  among  us  heard  ; 
And  by  thy  thrilling  eloquence,  our  spirits  deeply  stirred  ! — 
Ay,  round  our  hearths  and  o'er  our  hills  thy  heavenly  words  have 

rung. 
And  many  a  listening  multitude  have  on  thy  accents  hung ; 
And  in  our  hearts,  like  holy  fire,  thy  fervent  thoughts  have  burned, 
— They  were  not  of  the  earth,  and  hence  they  have  to  heaven  returned. 

God  called  thee  mid  thy  faithful  toil  to  lay  thine  armor  by, 

And  ceasing  from  thy  earthly  work,  to  join  the  hosts  on  high  ; 

And  mid  thy  dying  strife,  a  strain  of  holy  triumph  rose. 

As  when  to  seek  his  happy  home,  a  care-worn  exile  goes  ; 

For  light,  from  that  celestial  world,  was  o'er  thy  spirit  shed. 

And  angels  round  thy  humble  couch  their  glittering  pinions  spread - 

No  more,  no  more,  the  fainting  frame  the  restless  spirit  chains, 
Nor  night,  nor  sleep,  from  its  high  work,  thy  angel  wing  uetaius — 
Thou  art  amid  the  hosts  who  bow  around  Jehovah's  throne, 
Kejoicing  to  obey  His  will,  and  make  His  glories  known ; 


DAVID  MARKS. 


511 


reat 

ado 
fa- 

see 


e. 


I) 
ife. 


?d. 


■  i?'- 

v 


And  loud  thy  rapturous  songs  arise  amid  the  holy  choir, 

For  even  here,  like  his  of  old,  ihy  hps  were  touched  with  fire. 

Farewell !  we  know  that  thou  arthlest,  and  yet  our  tears  will  flow. 
For  Zion's  sake  we  hoped  that  thou  wouldst  longer  dwell  below  ! 
Love  casts  its  offerings  on  the  sod,  which  now  doth  cover  thee  ; 
But  faith,  with  joyous  eye,  looks  up  thy  angel  form  to  see  ; 
And  hope  illumes  with  holy  light  thy  mansion  in  the  dust, 
And  waits,  till  from  its  cold  embrace,  immortal  life  shall  burst. 

V.  G.  R. 


From  the  Oberlin  Evangelist. 

On  the  Death  of  Elder  Marks. 

Haste  !    angels  have  called  thee,  away  to  thy  home  ! 
We  may  not  detain  thee,  the  Spirit  says  "  Come, 
Come  home,  wearied  spirit,  thy  works  are  all  done, 
Thy  task  is  accomplished,  thy  victory  won." 

'Tis  surely  the  music  of  heaven's  own  choir 
That  has  lit  up  thy  soul  with  undying  fire  ; 
The  harps  of  the  seraphs  have  struck  on  thine  ear, 
And  waked  a  response  in  thy  bosom  e'en  here. 

'Twas  the  love  of  thy  Savior  that  sent  thee  to  weep 

O'er  the  woes  of  a  world  long  buried  in  sleep  ; 

It  sent  thee  to  labor,  forbade  thee  to  rest, 

Chased  sleep  from  thine  eyes,  and  repose  from  thy  breast. 

It  sent  thee  to  weep  o'er  the  young  and  the  gay, 
And  to  win  back  the  lovely  from  death's  beaten  way  ; 
It  taught  thee  to  watch  and  to  mourn  over  sin, 
Till  the  sad  heart  grew  faint,  and  the  wearied  eye  dim. 

And  thy  spirit  with  joy  took  its  heavenward  way. 
But  a  sweet  smile  it  left  on  its  mansion  of  clay. 
And  the  wings  of  bright  angels  that  still  lingered  there, 
Gently  brushed  from  thy  brow  every  vestige  of  care. 

Farewell,  then,  'tis  meot  that  the  toil-worn  should  rest, 
Who  have  labored  and  prayed  that  a  world  might  be  blest , 
In  thy  crown  of  rejoicing  gleams  many  a  gem. 
And  the  jewels  that  shine  there  shall  time  never  dim. 

Full  many  a  spirit  hath  welcomed  thee  there 
Thou  hast  labored  and  toiled  for,  and  wept  over,  here  , 
How  joyful  that  meeting — Ah,  well  may  the  song 
Burst  warm  from  the  bosom  of  that  holy  throng. 

And  well  may  we  smile  o'er  thy  perishing  clay, 
And  rejoice  that  thy  spirit  so  soon  passed  away : 
Thou  hast  gone  'mong  the  holy,  the  perfect,  to  dwell, 
Thou  hast  gone — and  we  bid  thee  a  joyful  farewell. 

M.  R.  McB. 
Oberlin,  December,  1845. 


H 


'■  ?ji 


512 


MEMOIRS    OF 


CONCLUDING  REMARKS. 

Although  the  distinctive  features  in  the  character  of  Mr.  Mark.* 
standout  with  prominence  upon  the  surface  of  the  preceding  history, 
still  there  are  afew  incidents  not  introduced  into  the  body  of  the  work, 
which  perhaps  present  those  distinctive  features  in  astill  bolder  light. 

One  distinguishing  characteristic,  as  has  been  already  seen,  was  his 
untiring  industry.  Perhaps  no  man  ever  lived  who  set  a  greater 
value  upon  his  time.  Seldom,  if  ever,  could  he  take  up  the  lamen- 
tation, "  I  have  lost  a  day  !"  if  indeed  he  could  say,  "  I  have  lost 
an  hour  !"  The  following  incidents  will  illustrate  this  point,  and 
also  exemplify  his  particularity  in  the  most  trivial  things  which 
infringed  upon  his  moments.  On  one  occasion,  a  few  months  be- 
fore his  death,  an  inmate  of  his  house  blew  out  his  candle  without 
saturating  the  wick  with  the  tallow,  as  was  his  custom  in  order  to 
make  it  ignite  more  readily.  The  next  morning,  he  said  to  the  in- 
dividual, very  solemnly,  "  Do  you  know  that  you  have  robbed  me 
of  one  minute  of  my  precious  time  ?"  "  How,"  was  the  response. 
'^  It  took  me  one  minute  longer  than  usual  to  light  my  candle,  in 
consequence  of  the  manner  in  which  you  extinguished  it  last  night." 
Having,  in  early  life,  severely  tasked  and  disciplined  his  mind  by 
study  and  intense  thinking  in  the  midst  of  company,  he  suffered  lit- 
tle annoyance  from  calls,  even  when  pressed  with  labor.  After 
explaining  the  importance  of  his  engagements,  to  those  who  called, 
and  apologizing  for  his  seeminf  want  of  attention,  he  would  request 
them  to  converse  just  as  they  would  if  he  were  disengaged.  He 
would  then  resume  his  writing  or  reading,  and  at  the  same  time 
carry  on  his  share  of  the  conversation.  From  his  eminently  social 
disposition,  he  enjoyed  society  with  the  keenest  relish,  but  he  nev- 
er suffered  himself  to  indulge  in  visits  to  his  friends,  only  so  far  as 
he  thought  "he  could  promote  their  spiritual  interests.  When  urg- 
ed to  spend  more  time  with  them,  he  would  say  to  them,  if  they 
were  Christians,  "  Soon  we  shall  have  an  eternity  to  visit  in."  As 
he  seldom  laid  aside  his  books  when  riding,  on  account  of  a  storm, 
they  would  often  get  injured ;  and  if  any  one  suggested  that  it  was 
not  good  economy  to  use  books  thus,  he  would  reply  by  giving  his. 
valuation  in  money  of  one,  two,  or  more  hours'  study,  and  then  the 
cost  of  the  book,  and  according  to  his  estimate,  the  pecuniary  ad- 
vantage was  much  in  his  favor.  His  reading  was  always  of  the 
solid  kind.  He  had  no  moments  to  waste  on  the  ephemeral  pro- 
ductions of  the  press.  He  remarked  not  long  before  his  death, 
that  he  had  never  read  a  novel.  Life  with  him  was  too  serious  to 
w^aste  on  such  trifles.  His  mind,  trained  to  such  activity  in  his 
waking  moments,  was  often  in  his  hours  of  sleep  occupied  with  the 


•.:«(• 


i 


DAVID    MARKS. 


513 


Bamc  momentous  subject.s,  and  he  would  pray  and  preach  for  a  long 
time,  frequently  awaking  all  in  the  house. 

He  was  emphatically  a  happy  man,  even  in  liis  most  adverse  cir- 
cumstances. Few  ever  enjoyed  life  better  tlian  he.  He  lived  in 
the  sunshine — in  an  atmosphere  of  cheerfulness  and  joy,  and  though 
at  times  he  was  weighed  down  with  an  oppressive  sense  of  his  re- 
sponsibilities, yet  these  seasons  were  but  as  "  passing  clouds,  shad- 
ing a  path  usually  bright."  This  was  doubtless  owing  in  part  to  a 
very  happy  natural  temperament,  but  it  should  be  mainly  attributed 
to  his  strong  confidence  in  God.  His  firm,  heartfelt  assurance  of 
a  state  of  etemal  blessedness  for  the  righteous,  scattered  joy  and 
gladness  in  his  pathway,  while  it  enabled  him  to  look  upon  the 
trials  of  this  brief  life  as  of  little  moment.  The  religion  of  the 
Bible  was  to  him,  as  he  expressed  it,  a  "  tangible  reality,"  absorb- 
ing all  other  claims  and  filling  the  whole  sphere  of  his  vision.  He 
thought,  planned,  prayed,  studied,  and  labored,  as  if  he  had  no  inter- 
est separate  from  the  interest  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  and 
whenever  matters  relating  to  its  success  were  presented,  "  his  own 
things"  were  the  last  and  least  which  occupied  his  thoughts. 

Another  very  prominent  feature  of  his  character  was  his  cruci- 
fixion to  the  world.  Indeed,  he  seemed  to  live  so  much  above  it, 
as  to  lose  all  desire  for  worldly  fame  or  honor.  Especially  was 
this  true  of  him  during  the  last  years  of  his  life.  Envy  was  a  pas- 
sion that  had  no  resting  place  in  his  bosom.  If  good  could  be  ac- 
complished, he  cared  little  who  had  the  honor.  lif  others  could  be 
more  useful  than  himself,  he  rejoiced  with  joy  unspeakable.  Though 
frank  and  open  almost  to  a  fault,  yet  knowing  a  little  "  what  was  in 
man" — ^that  eminence  exposed  its  possessor  to  the  envy  and  jeal- 
ousy of  little  minds — ^he  frequently  sought  privacy  in  the  execution 
of  his  plans  for  doing  good,  persuading  others  to  take  the  lead,  and 
charging  them,  to  use  his  own  language,  not  to  let  it  be  suspected 
that  the  "  hand  of  Joab"  was  there.  In  this  manner  he  effected 
much  for  God  and  his  generation,  which  will  remain  unknown  till 
the  judgment.  He  feared  and  dreaded  the  pmise  of  men,  not  that 
he  did  not  naturally  love  it,  but  he  trembled,  lest  it  might  tempt 
him  to  seek  worldly  honor.  Against  this,  he  watched,  and  strug- 
gled, and  prayed.  The  following  incident  is  a  specimen  of  the 
care  with  which  he  guarded  his  heart.  During  the  fourth  session 
of  the  General  Conference  in  Rhode  Island,  1830,  he  preached  a 
sermon  much  to  the  acceptance  of  the  audience,  and  wliich  was 
blessed  to  the  conversion  of  several  souls.  Soon  after  the  close  of 
the  meeting,  sorrow  was  depicted  on  his  countenance,  and  he  has- 
tened to  be  alone.     A  friend  inquired  the  cause  of  his  sadness. 

He  replied,  mournfully,  "  Brother [a  minister  of  considerable 

influence]  has  been  talking  to  me  just  like  satan."     "  What  lias  he 


r 


srass 


'"? 


514 


MEMOIRS   OF 


said  ?"  the  friend  inquired.  "  As  I  was  coming  out  of  the  churcli, 
lie  said  to  me,  '  Brother  Marks,  you  have  preached  well  to-day,' 
and  satan  had  just  told  me  the  same."  He  never  seemed  elated 
by  success.  Indeed,  his  greatest  seasons  of  humiliation  generally 
followed  his  most  successful  efforts. 

In  his  preaching,  he  was  remai'kably  affectionate  and  pathetic. 
After  portraying  the  dreadful  condition  of  the  impenitent,  his 
own  feelings  would  often  become  almost  uncontrollable,  tears  would 
trickle  down  his  face,  and  frequently  he  would  kneel  in  the  midst 
of  his  sermon,  and  pour  out  in  prayer  the  gushing  desires  of  his 
heart  for  the  salvation  of  his  hearers.  The  effect  produced  was 
often  like  an  electric  shock.  At  other  times,  while  urging  his  ap- 
peals to  the  consciences  of  sinners,  he  would  descend  from  the  desk, 
as  though  he  thought  if  he  were  nearer  the  people,  the  truths  he 
was  urging  would  find  more  access  to  their  hearts. 

Notwithstanding  tenderness  was  a  prominent  characteristic  of 
his  preaching  and  of  his  int-ercourse  with  society,  yet  he  was  bold 
and  fearless  in  his  reproofs  of  sin,  and  when  he  thought  the  occa- 
sion demanded,  he  was  very  severe.  About  two  years  previous  to 
his  death,  he  said  to  his  companion,  on  returning  from  Pittsfield,  (a 
town  adjacent  to  Oberlin,)  "  To-day,  for  the  first  time  in  my  life,  I 
told  a  man  he  lied."  She  replied,  "  You  were  not  so  abrupt  as  to 
use  that  language  ?"  "  Yes,  I  said  in  so  many  words,  '  You  lie.'  I 
said  it,  because  he  did  lie,  and  faithfulness  to  his  soul  made  it  my 

duty  to  tell  him  so.     I  was  at  the  house  of  brother  J s.     A 

man  was  present  who  went  on  for  some  time  with  a  tirade  of  false- 
hoods about  Oberlin.  At  length,  he  said  that  amalgamation  with 
the  colored  people  prevailed  very  extensively.  I  then  asked  him 
if  he  knew  his  statement  to  be  true.  He  said,  'Yes,  I  have  often 
been  in  Oberlin,  and  there  is  hardly  a  child  to  be  seen  in  the  street 
that  is  not  as  red  as  a  copper  cent.'  I  fixed  my  eye  upon  him  for 
a  moment,  and  then,  in  a  perfectly  calm  and  kind  manner,  said  to 
him.  Sir,  you  lie,  and  you  know  you  do.  I  live  in  Oberlin,  and 
there  has  never  been  a  case  of  marriage  there  between  the  white 
and  colored  people.  The  man  seemed  thunder-struck.  I  suppos- 
ed that  he  was  an  infidel,  or  some  one  who  had  no  regard  for  his 
reputation  as  a  man  of  truth,  but,  to  my  surprise,  I  afterwards 
learned  that  he  was  a  professor  of  religion." 

In  the  domestic  virtues,  Mr.  Marks  eminently  excelled.  He  was 
emphatically,  "  The  light  and  the  joy  of  his  house."  As  a  son,  he  was 
a  pattern  of  filial  piety.  No  mother  was  ever  more  tenderly  be- 
loved by  a  child  than  was  the  mother  of  Mr.  Marks.  Though  she 
had  long  lain  in  the  grave,  yet  his  love  for  her  was  "  fresh  and  fra- 
grant to  the  last."  She  was  indeed  worthy  of  his  affection,  and 
though  she  lived  in  obscurity,  she  was  one  of  that  noble  band  of 


'J- 


DAVID  MARKS. 


515 


mothers,  whose  piety  and  maternal  government  have  made  them 
benefactors  of  the  world.  Few  days  of  his  life  ever  passed  in 
which  he  did  not  allude  to  her ;  and  when  he  was  crossing  death's 
dark  river,  his  eye  shone  with  unwonted  lustre,  as  he  sjwke  of  soon 
seeing  his  dear  mother.  It  has  been  said  that  "  Trifles,  lighter 
than  straws,  are  levers  in  the  building  up  of  character."  Mr.  Marks 
ascribed  to  the  decision  and  firmness  of  his  mother  on  one  occasion, 
an  influence  which  decided  his  future  course.  When  he  was  about 
ten  years  of  age,  he  was  very  anxious  to  visit  a  certain  place,  and 
for  several  days  before  he  ventured  to  ask  permission,  exerted 
himself  in  every  possible  way  to  please  his  mother,  hoping  thereby 
to  secure  her  assent.  But  his  request  was  denied.  He  was  great- 
ly disappointed,  and  could  not  see  the  reasonableness  of  her  refusal. 
Though  always  trained  to  habits  of  implicit  obedience,  yet  in  this 
instance,  he  was  so  intent  on  the  gratification  of  his  wishes,  that  he 
persuaded  himself  to  think  that  she  was  wrong,  and  he  resolved  to 
make  the  desired  visit.  He  knew  his  mother  would  punish  him, 
yet  he  thought  she  was  so  tender-hearted  that  she  would  not  be  se- 
vere, and  he  would  rather  endure  some  chastening  than  not  enjoy 
his  anticipated  pleasure.  He  began  to  make  preparation.  His 
mother  inquired  with  surprise,  "  Where  ai-e  you  going  ?"  He  told 
her.  "  But,"  she  replied,  "  I  said  to  you  that  you  could  not  go." 
"  I  know  you  did,"  he  calmly  answered,  "  but  I  think  it  is  my  duty 
to  go."  "  Indeed,"  said  she,  "  it  is  then  my  duty  to  punish  you  till 
you  change  your  views."  He  persisted  in  his  course.  Without 
any  further  reasoning,  she  used  the  rod.  For  a  time  he  bore  it 
without  complaint,  thinking  the  tenderness  of  her  heart  would  un- 
nerve her,  but  the  stripes  becoming  more  and  more  severe,  he  was 
obliged  to  cry  out  for  pain.  He  then  thought  he  would  frighten 
her,  and  falling  on  the  ground,  groaned  out,  "  Mother,  you  will  kill 
me."  She  leplied,  "  Such  a  rebellious  child  ought  to  die.  It  is 
written  in  the  law  of  Moses,  that  a  stubborn  and  rebellious  son  that 
will  not  obey  the  voice  of  his  mother  should  be  stoned  to  death." 
[Deut.  21:18 — 21.]  He  now  began  to  fear  he  should  die,  when 
the  thought  of  meeting  God  in  the  very  act  of  disobeying  the  com- 
mand to  honor  his  parents,  filled  him  with  unutterable  hon'or,  and 
he  sobbed  out,  "  O  mother,  can  you  forgive  your  wicked  son  ?  I 
will  submit."  Her  strength  failed,  and  bursting  into  tears,  she 
said,  "  O  my  son !  my  son !  never  did  I  expect  such  atrial  as 
this  from  you.  You  don't  know  what  suffering  you  have  caused 
me :  but  I  knew  that  you  were  ruined  if  I  did  not  subdue  you." 
Her  words  increased  his  distress  a  hundred  fold.  His  broken  heart 
was  filled  with  anguish,  and  a  sense  of  his  sinfulness  never  left  him 
till  he  gave  himself  to  God.     In  after  years,  and  indeed,  until  the 


!i 


li 


I 


516 


MEMOIRS    OF   DAVID    MARKS. 


close  of  his  life,  he  seldom  ever  related  this  circumstance  without 
i^hedding  bitter  tears. 

He  was  ever  much  interested  in  the  simplicity  and  innocence  of 
children,  and  was  always  a  great  favorite  with  the  children  of  fam- 
ilies where,  in  his  travels,  he  was  accustomed  to  call.  After  win- 
ning their  confidence,  he  would  labor  in  the  most  affectionate  man- 
ner to  impress  their  minds  with  a  sense  of  their  duty  to  Grod,  and 
many  of  them  have  in  consequence  been  converted.  He  used  to 
say,  he  loved  little  children,  because  Jesus  said,  "  Of  such  is  the 
kingdom  of  heaven." 

God  has  said,  "  Them  that  honor  me,  I  will  honor."  Here  lies 
the  secret  of  Mr.  Marks'  influence  and  success.  He  honored  God 
by  his  simple  faith,  and  reliance  on  his  word,  and  God  verified  his 
promise,  not  only  through  his  whole  life,  but  in  permitting  him,  in 
the  hour  of  his  dissolution,  to  bear  a  glorious  testimony  to  the  real- 
ity of  the  Christian's  hope.  It  may  be  truly  said  of  him,  in  the 
beautiful  language  of  Tupper,  that, 

"  III  childhood,  he  loved  holineas  and  drank  from  that  fountain-head  of  peace ; 

Wisdom  took  him  Tor  her  scholar,  guiding  his  steps  in  purity  ; 

He  lived  unpolluted  by  the  world,  and  his  young  heart  hated  sin ; 

His  friends  were  the  excellent  among  men,  and  the  bands  of  their  friendship  were 

strong. 
His  house  was  the  palace  of  peace,  for  the  Prince  of  peace  was  there.  >' 

Thus  did  he  walk  in  happiness,  while 

The  light  of  affection  sunned  his  heart,  and  the  tear  of  the  grateful  bedewed  his  teet. 
He  put  his  hand  with  constancy  to  good,  and  angels  knew  him  as  a  brother, 
While  the  busy  satellites  of  evil  trembled,  as  at  God's  ally. 
He  used  his  goods  as  a  wise  steward,  making  him  IViends  for  futurity ; 
He  bent  his  learning  to  religion,  and  religion  was  with  him  to  the  last : 
And  aaer  many  days,  when  the  time  of  his  release  was  come, 
1  longed  for  a  congregated  world  to  behold  that  dying  saint. 
As  the  aloe  is  green  and  well-liking  to  the  last  summer  of  its  age, 
And  then  hangeth  out  its  golden  bells  to  mingle  glory  with  corruption  ; 
As  a  meteor  travelleth  in  splendor,  but  bursteth  in  dazzling  light. 
Such  was  his  end  :   his  death  was  the  sun  ai  its  setting." 


! 


i 


*. 


t 


i 


-■^p^::^:-^.'^JtJU'     '  t'  1l  tlljlllt^  1 


